The “Žalgiris” Players Are Sad And Understand Shar: “He Always Wants To Be First” | Euroleague

Šarūnas Jasikevičius, a former basketball player, is demonstrating his talent in the sport after finishing his career, when he was bringing a green-white boat to the European elite, wearing the suit of coach Kaunas “Žalgiris”.

The 2016-2020 period in Žalgiris will always be remembered as the Shar era in Kaunas.

The club run by Š. Jasikevičius became attractive and competitive in Europe, which was respected by all, and fans who believed in Shar magic massively filled the “Žalgiris” arena on the island of Nemunas.

15 minutes He contacted those who worked daily with this 44-year-old specialist, basketball players who have been wearing “Žalgiris” jerseys for the past few seasons.

Some of them are currently on holiday abroad, others spend time in Lithuania, but all agreed to share their impressions on the fundamental change in the ranks of the Lithuanian champions in the last five years.

Shar traded the first love of life for the second, giving him another chance to feel again what it means to become a champion.

The strategist, who sets the highest goals for himself and others, will now work on a team that only sets the highest goals for himself each year, but has not won the Euroleague title since 2010.

That’s why Shar, who loves the locals, returns to Catalonia and won his first Euroleague trophy of his career in Barcelona.

“We know Shar’s mindset and that he always wants to be first.” Perhaps Barcelona can give him a better opportunity today to achieve this goal more quickly, “he said. 15 minutes Captain Paulius Jankūnas said of “Žalgiris”.

The striker, who debuted on the Kaunas City core team in 2003, has seen and worked with many different coaches with radically different philosophies during his career.

But there is no doubt: Shar stands out in his ranks and shines more.

“Shar is special in his values,” said P. Janūnas. – As he has mentioned many times, “Žalgiris” is very important to him. From an early age he saw this team, he wanted to play in it. It is good that in the last professional season he played in Kaunas and won the ring. It is good that he has become the coach in “Žalgiris”.

Another thing that makes it exceptional is the perception and reaction of basketball during the game. The duel is happening at a very high speed, especially in the Euroleague, and Shar’s response to situations … He really has that thing. He had such a unique trait as a player and now as a coach. This characteristic makes him one of the best coaches in Europe. “

In 2018, the leader of Š.Jasikevičius “Žalgiris” entered the fourth quarter of the Euroleague final and took third place. P.Jankūnas, who played in the career season and entered the tournament’s symbolic second team, is very important to this team.

The 36-year-old basketball player had to play with Sharas himself and compete in “Žalgiris” led by him.

P. Jankūnas, who has established a close relationship with the new Barcelona strategist, is not surprised by the choice of the Lithuanian basketball legend.

“It was not as if I got up, read and was surprised. I knew a little before that something was happening little by little. Like every year, there was an opportunity to go to Šarūnas, but this year the speech and intuition said that the situation during This year is the most serious. It’s a shame, because Šarūnas was the face of “Žalgiris” and a blacksmith of victories. He took the whole system, the game, the fans and the arena to a new level. It’s a shame, but all good things end someday, “said the captain of” Žalgiris “.

Edgar Ulanov, 28, who is a free agent, is shaking his first-born daughter Marla Marija in his native Kaunas with one hand, and the other is following developments in basketball around the world, which this time also touched Žalgiris.

The striker, who has been playing for Kaunas since Shara’s first season, admitted that move by that coach was already expected.

“I think such a solution could have been expected. When the Barcelona club variant appeared, I thought Shar would choose to work there. This is the team of his dreams. He played there, the year was good, he said that it is a club that I could leave Žalgiris. This is not surprising because a person has goals and dreams. Everything is understandable “, 15 minutes Edgar Ulanov said.

In the Š schemes.

“As I have always said, Shar has raised not only the level of the players and their understanding of basketball, but also everyone else: fans, other coaches in Lithuania who try to work or look similar. I think even looking from the side, They managed to get a lot out of Shar. There is no doubt that he gave a lot to all Lithuanian basketball. There really are many people in the country who now understand basketball better, “said E. Ulanov.

For Lukas Lekavičius, who is currently on vacation in Greece, the coach lifted his wings and prepared him for the jump to the legendary club Athens Panathinaikos.

The 26-cm-tall, 26-year-old winder returned two years later and recorded the race season at Žalgiris led by Sharas.

“He spent a lot of time in Žalgiris, this moment had to come one day. I can’t say I was surprised or not. I was expecting some of that.” 15 minutes L. Lekavičius said.

The player, who delighted fans on the island of Nemunas with his forays and pitches slicing through the defense of opponents, emphasized the coach’s work with players who have greatly improved in Kaunas and stepped up a notch.

“The club achieved incredible results and reached the top four places in the Euroleague final. Shar has raised many good basketball players that he could name and name, such as Micičius, Pangos, Davies, etc. He also helped me a lot to be able to go Panathinaikos. He gave a lot not only to “Žalgiris”, but also to the players personally, “said L. Lekavičius.

From abroad, the events in Žalgiris were followed by Marius Grigonis, currently with family and friends, including the freshly baked Tomas Dimša from Žalgiris. Friends on vacation in Croatia.

“The first reaction was sad, maybe a little angry, but the decision on the side of Šarūnas is logical. At first, when all the rumors started, I really did not believe it, but when I delved into the situation, everything seems normal.” 15 minutes M. Grigonis said.

If T.Dimšai does not have to work with Š.Jasikevičius, then M. Grigonis has felt the coach’s strong hand for the past two years.

Kaunas, who had grown the confidence of a strategist, was probably the main guide for “Žalgiris” at the beginning of last season, until he was eventually removed from the lineup with a foot injury.

“Shar is such a person that everything around him becomes very interesting. It took Žalgiris to the next level. It gave me a lot to play, but I still couldn’t collect everything. This may be another chance to pick up what’s left, “said the defender cryptically, smiling.

Rokas Jokubaitis, who has been working with Š.Jasikevičius for the last three years, learned of the departure of Helmsman Žalgiris during the “LKFtrickshot” project organized by the Lithuanian Basketball Federation.

It was Shar who paved the way for men’s basketball for this promising player.

“The situation was similar with the Euroleague decision. Such ignorance: some said the season was over, others did not. It was the same with Shar. Complete uncertainty. But the hunch that he was going to go somewhere or another definitely He was there. It’s a very strange feeling I can’t imagine explaining. We worked together for three years and now the coach is out. This is the first such case in my career. I still have a hard time understanding what happened here. ” 15 minutes R. Jokubaitis stated.

With his own experience, the strategist, who nurtured the 19-year-old, saw Rock’s great potential and painted a bright future.

R. Jokubaitis was one of the few young players who gained Š’s trust. Jasikevičius in the Euroleague duel.

“If it wasn’t Shar, I don’t think I would be where I am right now,” Jokubaitis said. – I don’t think my career is like this. I am brutally grateful to him for that. He was printing, screaming and demanding a lot every day, working with him really needed to get out of the comfort zone. But after three years together, I fully understand that it was all just for the benefit. I wanted all the players to take a big step forward, so I am very glad that I had to work for such a coach.

Regarding Kaunas and Žalgiris, you understand that it led the team to the elite of the Euroleague. In Barcelona, ​​he will want to demonstrate that he can become a Euroleague champion. Shar revived basketball in Kaunas, everyone was like a goddess here. There is no doubt that Shar has had a great impact on everyone: the players, the city and the club. “