Turkish media: “Žalgiris” – like a whirlwind, unstoppable Hayes and the spectator’s energy bomb

The Lithuanian champions spiced the return of the Euroleague to the home arena with a victory against the most powerful team of the last season with the result 89:73. Martin Schiller’s students with 4 wins after 4 matches are the only leaders of the tournament table.

“Istanbul Anadolu Efes couldn’t stop the accelerating Žalgiris. Anadolu Efes scored 25 points from five key players, while Bryant Dunston, who got up off the bench, scored 20 points alone, but that didn’t save him from defeat. In the Kaunas team, all the players scored points except Karolis Lukošiūnas, who entered the match in the last quarter, writes the Turkish portal sporx.com. – Anadolu Efes, leader of the Euroleague last season. The team that saved the core of the team suffered a third defeat in 4 matches, and “Žalgiris” moves without stumbling. “

“Eurohoops” Turkish journalist Bugra Uzar writes that more than 5 thousand. Žalgiris, who received the support of the fans, ran into the match like a whirlwind.

Nigel Hayes, who put on an incredible show, and other “Žalgiris” players caused problems with their energy in attack. Martin Schiller’s players defended very effectively from start to finish and Anadolu Efes showed the basketball players no signs of weakness that could allow intrigue to return to the game. The difference increased to 17 points (75-58), the residents of Kaunas maintained their advantage until the end. It was possible to throw a towel in the square, ”he writes.

What impressed him the most was the legionnaire from “Žalgiris” N. Hayes, who caused the most trouble for the guests and racked up 23 utility points.

In the first 5 min. the American threw 9 points, not to mention that he drew two balls from the other side of the court. N. Hayes attacked three halves with 100% accuracy, which only hurt a little in the last one, when “Žalgiris” was already in firm control of the events on the field. In total, on the Kaunas Club’s second-year account – 17 points (3/3 from two points, 3/5 from triples, 2/3 from penalties), 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Such performance guaranteed him the laurels of both the most productive player and the most useful player on the winning team.

“He was at the top of the team’s attacks and became the main blacksmith of victory. And “Žalgiris” game was determined by excellent defense at the end of the third quarter and at the beginning of the last quarter and he did not look back. With this result, “Žalgiris” won all 4 matches played, and our “Anadolu Efes” cannot get out of the hole at the start of the Euroleague – he lost for the third time in 4 matches, “writes B. Uzuro.

Turkish portal hurriyet.com He noted that while other countries are playing Euroleague matches due to the coronavirus pandemic without spectators, the duel is postponed due to positive tests from players and team staff, 5011 fans filled 15,000. arena seating “Žalgiris”. “The fans had to follow the rules of personal hygiene, social distancing and wearing a mask. However, their energy has given a lot to the hosts of the square, ”the online publication writes.

For the fifth time in a row, Martin Schiller’s students will fight in Kaunas on October 22 in a duel with Valencia, and Anadolu Efes will play at home with Vilerban’s USEL the next day.