R. Jokubaitis, who successfully achieved his new position, highlighted the physicality of his competitors. Euroleague

“It just came to our notice then. We defended well every game, but something was missing in attack. We started arguing with the judges, he knocked us out a bit and we got that result. Not much to hold on to, but to defeat. No victories in a double week, it’s a bit sad. Now we have to rest well and fight on Monday, “Jokubaitis summed up the match.

Recently, the 20-year-old, who has accumulated slightly more modest numbers in the game against Zenit, has returned to being brilliant and after five straight single-digit games, he has finally scored a number of utility points of two. digits.

The defender scored 8 points, bounced 3 balls, made 2 assists, caused 6 fouls and scored 11 utility points.

We present R. Jokubaitis’s thoughts on “Žalgirio TV” on the lost matches in St. Petersburg.

– You scored 65 points. What specifically was missing from the attack?

– They defended very physically, they are one of the best defending teams in Europe. We had many opportunities, but we did not hit. We expected such a match.

– The coach emphasized Kevin Pangos a lot before the game, he had to defend himself against him. How do you rate a performance in defense against him?

– Today we have defended ourselves quite well with him. Most of the matches were with 1 point, but they had other horses. Zenit is a good team, not in vain is it TOP 4 or TOP 5.

– You have been aggressive since the beginning of the game. Has the coach emphasized the need for energy?

– No, he didn’t emphasize. I know for myself that I come off the bench to rest our main players, it worked very well today. He still put me to the test in the first position, because Lukas (Lekavičius – Aut. Past) committed two quick fouls, it was quite fun, and at that point the team looked good.

– What is the personal importance of that first good exit to the square?

– I think this is one of the most important things, because right away that self-confidence appears and you start to be more active in defense. It determines a lot, because most games are pointless; After that, at the end of the game, there are errors in the defense and psychologically it gets so much that you think about it. When you enter from the beginning with that good emotion, good rhythm and help the team, it is clear, much easier during all the games.

– Did it seem like after the missed shot from under the basket and the free kick, you somehow “took it in your head”?

– Elementary situation, I do not think it is necessary to put it by hand. Sure, I lost it, I lost it, we have to keep fighting, but things like the young player “cross his head a bit.” Now everything is over, keep going.

– What is the most important thing now after such a double week?

– As the coach said – rest. Of course, to get negative tests for COVID-19, because the trip to Russia was more interesting, we played with the fans. Rest, get a good workout on Sunday and get ready for the second KMT match on Monday.

After the second quarterfinals of the King Mindaugas Cup against Pasvalys’ “Milk Stars” in the Kaunas Euroleague on Friday, the Piraeus barrier “Olympiacos” will be waiting.

With 11 wins and 9 losses, Žalgiris ranks eighth in the Euroleague.