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5,011 fans watch Žalgiris’ first game in the Euroleague. This is more than last season, where spectators gathered for the matches of Bayern Munich (average 4688) or Zenit Saint Petersburg (average 4299).
“Only five thousand? The Žalgiris Arena always has a good atmosphere. After seven months of playing in that environment, it was a wonderful feeling for us, ”said Erginas Ataman, who lost for the first time in three consecutive victories against the Kaunas team.
The 54-year-old Turk highlighted the unfair situation of European basketball, appealing to both the Turkish authorities and the Euroleague.
“I saw that my colleagues in press conferences alluded to the unfair situation in the Euroleague. And I think it’s unfair because we play in an empty arena where others can play with the spectators. I agree with that – said E. Atamanas. – We play in the same tournament, but without fans, and other teams feel the back of the fans. Some countries did not allow teams to play in the crucial Euroleague bubble at the end of July, although the situation in Europe was clearer at the time. I am not talking about Lithuania. But now in Kaunas we play for the fans, although the situation is worse. I want to ask the Turkish authorities why, in the same situation, we play without fans. What’s going on? I want to ask the Euroleague about it, why was the tournament stopped last year and the conditions are not the same for the teams this year? “
Photo by Rokas Lukoševičius / 15min / Ergin Ataman
From the start of the match, the Fan Army also lifted Žalgiris on its wings.
Nigel Hayes, who was stuck in the first three games, scored 9 points and 13 utility points in the first five minutes, and the American team, Kaunas, took the lead 25:16 after the first ten minutes.
In total, the American scored 17 points (3/3 doubles, 3/5 trit., 2/3 penalty), bounced 5 and took 2 balls, made 2 assists and scored 23 utility points. The MVP of this duel.
The Anadolu Efes coach, who changed his image and dyed his hair maroon, still had to take short breaks, because the Žalgiris attack machine was difficult to stop.
5 triples of 5, 11 assists and even 32 points in just 12 minutes!
The hosts of the field were a bit stuck in the second half of the second quarter, not scoring points in four minutes, making three mistakes and hitting two blocks from Istanbul basketball players.
Attam was not happy with the performance of his only player. Former Žalgiris Vasilije Micičius played 32 minutes in Kaunas on Thursday night, scored 7 points (2/4 dvit., 1/5 trit.), He made 3 assists, rebounded and took 1 ball, scored 5 efficiency points.
“We had a player today, but he played tragically. In a situation like this, it is very difficult for us to organize an attack and play a game that is normal for us. On the other hand, “Žalgiris” played perfectly today. Many young, active and aggressive players who played fair basketball. They fought for every ball. Congratulations, I think Žalgiris are one of the best teams in the Euroleague at the start of the season, at least from what I’ve seen during the first four games.
Congratulations to Žalgiris for a good defense, but Vasilije is an experienced player who has seen a lot. He has played many times against such an aggressive defense, but today it was tragic, ”said A. Atamanas.
Photo by Rokas Lukoševičius / 15min / Vasilije Micic
Austrian Martin Schiller, who took a minute off, addressed the students with Lithuanian names, and the people from Žalgiris who heard the words of the coach stopped the hunger for points.
Others also got a good emotional wave: Steve Vasturia scored 7 points in 150 seconds and suddenly improved his personal performance record, while Artūras Milaknis, who simulated the movement of the legendary Julius Erving, scored two points in uncharacteristic style after the break.
There are no more doubts about the victory of “Žalgiris” at the beginning of the last quarter, the only question that arose is: what is the advantage?
The favorites from last season, Martin Schiller’s troop topped 89:69. This is the most productive match for Kaunas players this season in the Euroleague.
“It just came to our attention then. Chris Singleton made a mistake five times, committing a triple fault in the attack against an attacking opponent. Vasily made a mistake, missed shots, threw uncomfortable shots. This gave opponents a chance to attack quickly . I couldn’t remove Vasily Micich because I didn’t have a replacement. The backup option was a very inexperienced defender, “said E. Atamanas.
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In the failed match, Anadolu Efes was still without Shane Larkin, the most productive and useful player from last season’s rehab player.
“He will return to Istanbul on October 25. We hope to play with Olympiakos on the 30th. Rehabilitation took time. We are lacking, especially in a situation where V.Micičius hangs at the beginning of the season. He played well only in Berlin, the others matches were tragic. “We missed Shane so much,” Amaman said.
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