Urbon: “It’s a shame that we don’t show our potential” / News

After a four-year hiatus, Utena’s Juventus reached the quartet in the Copa Rey Mindaugas final, but also stumbled again in the semi-finals, this time against Panevėžys Lietkabelis. After the 73:84 failure, Utena’s coach, Žydrūnas Urbonas, emphasized that his students did not show their full ability.

“The match, as we expected, started like this: the physicality that Panevėžys has is that caviar. The players are bigger, stronger. We have just turned over the board. 16 points from a second chance is a great luxury. We emphasize it, we knew it But even in the decisive situation, when we returned to the match, we had five points left, we defended, we lost 84 points, but we allowed 16 points to be thrown for a second chance.

We defended well and two against two, at minus five points the opponents throw nonsense but take the ball. That’s a great shame. Missed opportunities. Something could have burned, it really felt. What you will do is what you have. People play, I don’t blame them. Today we did not play the best we could, ”Urbonas said at the press conference.

The main organizer of Juventus’ attacks, Vaidas Kariniauskas, scored 9 points (3/6 doubles, 0/3 trit., 3/4 penalty) in 25 minutes, made 9 assists, recovered 3 and took two balls and scored 13 utility points.

Was it one of those who burned in the match?

“Vaidas knows that he is one of our leaders and he bears that burden. He exaggerated a bit, he had played games of such importance for a long time. I totally trust him, he’s a great player. There were twists in the game where he got to the ceiling, threw a big one, kept dropping the ball and it would be Kups position. His good heat dzūkian took over and he lost several situations.

We were in the game, but we got a table. We got simple situations, I wouldn’t say that the rivals had very good situations, but we didn’t pick up the balls. We also talked about Vaid Kariniauskas about the balls, that he also needs to take them. He played average matches. Not all of us have played to our full potential today. We play 60-70 percent. their capabilities. It’s a shame we haven’t shown our potential. After all, with fines, we hadn’t scored 50 percent in our lives. I was tense and tired, ”Urbonas said.

The coach also took note of the psychology of basketball players and hoped that tomorrow he would play Klaipeda “Neptune” for third place.

“Psychology is a big problem, I think it is the biggest weapon. Before today’s game, I thought about how to lead the team, not squeeze, so they don’t start too much and they don’t burn out. The team started well, I’m happy with the way I set it up, we led the game, but later on maybe some players couldn’t get into the game.

I knew we were going to go back to the game, but it was all due to the ball not bouncing, Vaidas got hot, but I don’t blame anything, today I lost the game.

You play with Panevėžys, a richer team, so you have to play to your potential, and we didn’t. It would be good if “Žalgiris” did not lose today and we would not have to play with Žalgiris angry for third place. I’d like to wish this to white-green, ”said Urbon.

Match summary: