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Not only fans who yearn for the highest level of Lithuanian basketball, but also former basketball players from these teams, are looking forward to the next big Betsafe-LKL battle between Vilnius Rytas and Kaunas Žalgiris.
The coaches of “Rytas” and “Žalgiris” draw the last schemes, the players prepare the bodies and the fans, the throats.
But what does that long-awaited and intriguing Lithuanian basketball derby look like in the eyes of the basketball players who played here?
Darius Songaila, one of the few Lithuanian basketball players who has been in the ranks of Rytas and Žalgiris during their career, has spent most of his career in the NBA league and then began his coaching career.
D. Songaila ended his professional career in Lithuania, where he played in Vilnius in 2013-2014, and in 2014 – §2015 he played the last professional basketball matches for the Žalgiris team.
Later, D. Songaila joined the “Žalgiris” coaches headquarters, from where he rose directly to the USA. In 2018: the young coach was invited to his club by the “Spurs” coaches from San Antonio.
And although it has been more than five years since D. Songaila’s last game in professional basketball, the memory of them has not yet faded.
Speaking to LKL.lt, D. Songaila, who now works on the Spurs coaching staff, was open: he recounted how the public reacted to the then sensational transition from “Rytas” to “Žalgiris” and what the preparation for this looked like. derby within the team. The former basketball player also named the most important in duels at this level and even guessed the winner of these upcoming matches.
“Emotion is very important. Probably the most important. No matter what the lineups were, what the results were, no matter who was the favorite of the match, these derbies were always tough. They are especially difficult for those who play on the go. Of course, both the tactic prepared by the coaches and the support of the fans contribute, but the players, especially the locals, did not need additional motivation for such a derby ”, recalls D. Songaila the games that have become classics.
– The basketball community is waiting for this derby about two weeks before it starts. Was he thinking about the next game, basketball players?
– Players prepare differently: they still have more than one match during the season. When he was playing, both teams, Rytas and Žalgiris, competed in the Euroleague. Rytas played in both Eurolgy and United League, so there were so many games that you didn’t have much time to think about them.
– Didn’t you need more time to settle for this duel?
– I’d say you’re starting to get excited on the eve of the game. In the evening, realize that tomorrow is the day that will come in a good mood. Understand that tomorrow is an important day. It really wasn’t like waiting for a match week, it just wasn’t the time.
– Everyone talks about a stronger emotional team winning in the clashes between Rytas and Žalgiris. How realistic is it that the winner of the derby is determined not only by tactics, the skill of the players, but also by emotion?
– Emotion is very important. No matter what the lineups were, what the results were, no matter who was the favorite of the match, these derbies were always tough. They are especially difficult for those who play on the go. The derby had been the talk of the FC all week and fans of both teams could be seen all over the stadium. The local players had a great knowledge of how the match went. The foreigners had to explain at the beginning of the season that there are no friends in these duels, you are going to fight and win. They had to put themselves in context a bit and explain that this is more than just a LKL match in all cases.
– And were there legionaries who didn’t even understand what it was during the match?
– I had to say how important this game is, that it is a derby in which we have to win. But I really don’t remember the ones who didn’t understand.
– After the season in the club “Rytas” you moved to the “Žalgiris”. How did the basketball community, the fans, the media react then?
– In general, my arrival at the Morning was quite unexpected for me. A season ago, I spoke with Paulius Motiejūnas about coming to “Žalgiris”, but then the team did not have the financial means, they had already finished their assembly. He was still looking, waiting for offers from abroad, but he was not happy with them. Then I decided that I still needed to stay in Lithuania, closer to my family. The transition to “Morning” took place, but it didn’t mean anything special to me. Especially since I never had connections with “Rytas” or “Žalgiris”.
– When you came to “Žalgiris”, didn’t you feel the unfavorable opinions and attitude of the people towards you?
– We played LKL with Rytas, everything was good, the season was good. The following year I simply decided to move to Žalgiris. When I got to Kaunas, I didn’t feel bad here or anything else. This feeling was more on the “Tomorrow” side – people didn’t want this transition, they viewed it unfavorably, but I didn’t pay attention to it. Especially knowing how things were going in both organizations back then, it didn’t even take long to think about this decision.
– Let’s go back to the present. What is the impression of the “Rytas” and “Žalgiris” this season?
I have not yet seen the game in the morning, I have seen the Žalgiris duel in the Euroleague, I have seen some of LKL as well. The image is really good, I think everyone expected a worse one. The game is good, although very early, but the game is already at a high level. However, much will depend on the mood.
– It’s hard to predict, but let’s try. Who will win this derby and why?
– When I worked at the Žalgiris coaches headquarters for three years, we really had situations where the team is stronger both “on paper” and on the pitch, but when it is necessary to play, it is difficult. It just so happens that something doesn’t stick, some part doesn’t work. I can’t say it’s easy for one team or another here, it all depends on the mood. Of course, the favorite is “Žalgiris”.
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