BC Žalgiris
| BC Žalgiris | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Nickname | Green and White | ||
| Leagues |
Lithuanian Basketball League Euroleague | ||
| Founded | 1944 | ||
| History |
BC Žalgiris (1944–present) | ||
| Arena |
Žalgiris Arena (capacity: 15,688) | ||
| Location | Kaunas, Lithuania | ||
| Team colors |
Dartmouth green and white | ||
| Team Manager |
 Paulius Motiejunas | ||
| Head coach |
Saulius Štombergas | ||
| Championships |
Euroleague: 1 Saporta Cup: 1 Intercontinental Cup: 1 Soviet Union championship: 5 Soviet Union Cup: 1 NEBL: 1 Profbasket: 1 Lithuanian League (LKL): 15 LKF Cup: 4 Baltic League: 5 Stepas Butautas Cup: 1 European championships : 4 | ||
| Website | zalgiris.lt | ||
| Uniforms | |||
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Basketball Club Žalgiris is a professional basketball team that is based in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is one of the oldest teams in the Euroleague and plays domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga (LKL). Žalgiris is one of 14 European clubs that currently hold Euroleague Basketball Company A Licenses, which provide their holders with a guaranteed place in the regular-season phase of the Euroleague.
Since the 2011–12 season, Žalgiris plays its home games in the new Žalgiris Arena, built just before the EuroBasket 2011.
Logo design: A green and white shield with the sign "BC Žalgiris", a basketball, and the letter "Ž". The club's name commemorates the victorious Battle of Žalgiris (Battle of Grunwald) (both names: Žalgiris and Grunwald are translated as "green grove").
History
1944–1982: Early dominance
Since 1944, BC Žalgiris is the main Lithuanian basketball team to produce top-flight talents for European basketball, such as the Olympic champions Modestas Paulauskas, Arvydas Sabonis, Rimas Kurtinaitis, Valdemaras Chomičius, and many others. The club was first formed from KKI Kaunas players and they won the first Soviet Union League title with that name. Club at that time was led by Steponas Butautas, Kazys Petkevičius, Justinas Lagunavičius, Vincas Sercevičius later came Stanislovas Stonkus, Arūnas Lauritėnas. They won the second Soviet Union championship in 1951 and had to wait for 34 years to do it again. Modestas Paulauskas, Romualdas Venzbergas, Algirdas Linkevičius later Sergėjus Jovaiša, were the stars of the team in the 1970s but they only managed to finish third couple of times in the Soviet Union championship.
1983–1987: The True Fame
Žalgiris became the dominant force in Soviet Union and in Europe when they added new talents to the team: first came Valdemaras Chomičius then Rimas Kurtinaitis and Vladas Garastas became the new team coach. But everything changed when the team noticed a talented young kid named Arvydas Sabonis, who was 17 years old 209 cm and he debuted in the club in 1981. He grew about 12 more cm in the next couple of years and could do everything on the court: play defense, assist his teammates, shoot 3 pointers and dominate inside the paint.
In the mid-1980s, the finals between BC Žalgiris Kaunas and CSKA Moscow (Central Sports Club of Army) served as a major inspiration for Lithuanian national revival that contributed to the emergence of the Sąjūdis national movement and re-establishment of state independence.
During the 1980s, Žalgiris was competing in the top competitions with top clubs in Europe, such as FC Barcelona Bàsquet, Real Madrid and Cibona Zagreb. Stars Sabonis, Kurtinaitis, Chomičius and Jovaiša led the team to three consecutive Soviet Union National League championships from 1985 till 1987, beating CSKA Moscow in the finals. In 1985 the four stars led the team to the Saporta Cup final, but Žalgiris lost to FC Barcelona and Jovaiša was missed desperately because of illness in that final game. Despite the loss, Žalgiris participated in Euroleague the next year as the Soviet Union champions, reaching the finals and losing to the rival Cibona Zagreb. In 1986, Žalgiris won the William Jones Intercontinental Cup, defeating Dražen Petrović's Cibona Zagreb in the semifinals and Ferro Carril Oeste in the finals. Žalgiris was emerging as one of the top clubs in Europe at the time.
1987–1989: Setbacks
In 1987, however, Žalgiris suffered a setback. Biggest star of the club, Arvydas Sabonis, suffered a torn achilles tendon. Three months later, he tore it again, causing him to miss most of the 1987-88 season. That season, Žalgiris won a silver medal, losing to CSKA Moscow in the Soviet League finals. The next season, Sabonis came back, and the club managed to reach European Cup Winners Cup semifinals and win a silver medal in Soviet League, losing a dramatic finals to BC Budivelnik.
Just before the start of the 1989–90 season Žalgiris lost all of its leaders and half of its team: Sabonis, Kurtinaitis, Jovaiša, Chomičius and head coach Garastas all left the club, free from the Iron Curtain that barred Lithuanian basketball talent from becoming international.
1989–1997: New generation
In 1989-90 season Žalgiris led by new team captain Gintaras Krapikas, Algirdas Brazys and other talented young Lithuanian players coached by former team captain Hendrikas Giedraitis managed to reach Clubs Cup Winners Cup semifinals, where they lost a competitive 2 games series vs Real Madrid. Following the mass emigration of players, Žalgiris renewed their roster with youngsters such as Gintaras Einikis, Darius Lukminas, Arūnas Visockas. Žalgiris, led by Einikis and Lukminas, won their first LKL title in 1994, cruising past Atletas Kaunas 3–1 in a four game series. For Next two years, Žalgiris again dominated LKL tournament and had success participating in the Saporta Cup for the 1995–96 season when Rimas Kurtinaitis returned to play for his home team. After finishing with a 9-3 record in the regular season, Žalgiris advanced to the semifinals, but fell to PAOK in the two games series. The season was successful, though, as Žalgiris once again won the LKL championship, beating Atletas 3-2. The 1996-1997 season, Žalgiris played successfully in the Saporta Cup, though lost to BC Racing in the 1/8 finals. The season ended with yet another win in the LKL, this time beating BC Olimpas 3-0.
1998–1999: Biggest success
Žalgiris enjoyed the biggest success as a club during the 1997–98 and 1998–99 seasons. Led by a new generation of great Lithuanian talents Saulius Štombergas, Dainius Adomaitis, Eurelijus Žukauskas, Tomas Masiulis, Mindaugas Žukauskas, experienced foreign players Franjo Arapović and Ennis Whatley and coached by Jonas Kazlauskas, they defeated Stefanel Milano 82–67 in the 1998 Saporta Cup final in Belgrade. Saulius Štombergas scored 35 points in the final.
In the 1998–99 season Žalgiris was the biggest surprise in Euroleague. Coached again by Jonas Kazlauskas and led by former NBA players Tyus Edney, Anthony Bowie, George Zidek and great Lithuanian talents, they made it to the Euroleague Final Four in Munich for a first time in their history, where they were crowned European champions defeating front runners Olympiacos and Kinder Bologna in the semifinal and the final respectively. Tyus Edney was named Euroleague Final Four MVP. Žalgiris also won LKL and NEBL titles that same season. After these two great seasons best players of the club went to the richest European clubs and Žalgiris is trying to duplicate that feat ever since.
2000–2004: Struggles and Sabonis comeback
The year after winning the Euroleague, Zalgiris suffered one of the worst seasons in club history, getting eliminated after the group stage in the Euroleague, finishing only 3rd in the NEBL and losing in the LKL finals for the first time. The 2001 season was more successful, as the team reached the Euroleague playoffs, but lost to AEK. The team regained the LKL championship though, beating BC Lietuvos Rytas 3-2. The 2002 season was again disappointing, as the team got eliminated in the Euroleague after the group stage. The LKL championship was also lost. In the 2003 season, history repeated itself in the Euroleague, as the team was eliminated after the group stage, though Zalgiris rebounded with an LKL championship victory, beating BC Lietuvos Rytas 4-2. Sabonis became the principal owner of the club in 2003, after having played for many years in the Spanish ACB League and the NBA. He also came back to play for the club for one last season in 2003–04. He again dominated European competition winning ULEB Euroleague regular season and Top-16 MVP. Žalgiris almost made it to the Euroleague Final Four, but were stopped by Maccabi Tel Aviv, who tied the game on Derrick Sharp's last second three-pointer at the end of regulation and went on to lose in overtime. The season ended in a high note, as Zalgiris easily swept Lietuvos Rytas in the LKL championship 4-0.
2004–2009: Decline
After the departure of Sabonis at the conclusion of the 2003–04 season, Žalgiris faced a series of ups and downs. Although the team dominated in LKL for the next four seasons,winning in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008, beating Lietuvos rytas each time, also splitting the BBL championship, but never again was it close to achieving a spot in the Euroleague Final Four. In the middle of 2008–09 Euroleague season team faced big financial difficulties and all but one foreigner (Loren Woods) left the team. By the middle of the season, however, Woods left as well, leaving Žalgiris 100% Lithuanian. This new team faced rival Lietuvos rytas in BBL, LKF Cup and LKL, losing all three titles.
2009-2013: V. Romanov era
During the 2008–09 season Žalgiris was facing significant financial difficulties which lead to a search of a new investor. The solution was found and in 2009 Sabonis sold most of his stake to the local investment group, Ūkio banko investicinė grupė (ŪBIG) which was headed by Vladimir Romanov, who then holded a majority stake of 75% of the club. Sabonis retained a 21.5% interest in the club; 3% was owned by a minority group, while the remaining 0.5% were owned by the Kaunas City municipality. Though Žalgiris struggled in the Euroleague for the next 3 seasons, the team won the LKL title 2 times (2011,2012), BBL title 3 times (2010,2011,2012), and the LKF cup 2 times (2011,2012) during the period. Former NBA Players like Sonny Weems and Ty Lawson also played for a team for a short time during this period.
Since the 2011–12 season, Žalgiris plays its home games in the new Žalgiris Arena, built just before the EuroBasket 2011. The new arena was built to accommodate almost 16 000 spectators and is regarded as one of the best in Europe.
The 2012-13 season saw Žalgiris' shift towards building a team with fewer foreigners, leading to the acquisitions of Rimantas Kaukėnas, Darjuš Lavrinovič and Kšyštof Lavrinovič. Under the heading of new coach Joan Plaza Žalgiris started the Euroleague season with impressive 5 wins in 5 games, the best start in club's history in Euroleague. The streak included a 90-62 win against KK Cedevita, marking the club's all-time record for a largest winning margin in Euroleague and remarkable 61-79 win at Piraeus, Greece against the running Euroleague Champions Olympiacos B.C. However, the streak came to an abrupt end on November 15 as Žalgiris suffered a defeat in Zagreb, Croatia at hands of KK Cedevita 108 - 106 in a game that took 50 minutes to figure out the winner. On November 23, playing at its home Kaunas Žalgiris Arena, Žalgiris demolished Saski Baskonia 82 - 45, and secured its place in Top 16. Basque-based club's 45 points scored in the game became club's all-time record for fewest points scored in Euroleague, while also becoming Žalgiris' all-time record for fewest points allowed in Euroleague. Moreover, Žalgiris managed to broke team's all-time record for a largest winning margin, now at 37, for a second time this season, coupled with most offensive rebounds, at 23, and total rebounds, at 49. Žalgiris finished first in the group for the first time in 13 years.
In 2013, after the collapse of Ūkio bankas - owner Vladimir Romanov left Žalgiris. Financial troubles began for Žalgiris again, as the team lost crucial Top 16 matches to Panathinaikos and Real Madrid. Players like Tremmell Darden and Ibrahim Jabber left the club. The new team director Paulius Motiejunas was announced on March 20. Žalgiris regained it's strengths, and finished the Top 16 with a 6-8 record, the best in club history. Žalgiris also won the group stage in the VTB United League. On May, Žalgiris won there 3rd straight LKL title, effortlessly sweeping Lietuvos Rytas 4-0 in the finals, marking the end of the Romanov era with being the undisputedly strongest team in Lithuania.
2013-present: A new direction
After becoming the new director of the club, Paulius Motiejunas announced that the next season, Žalgiris will be a much younger team. After winning the LKL title, Žalgiris moved on to the VTB United League playoffs, playing Nizhny Novgorod in the quarterfinals. As sign of things to come, Žalgiris signed Lithuanian younger talents, Tomas Dimša and Marius Grigonis to play. Žalgiris eliminated Nizhny Novgorod in the 1/4 finals, but lost to PBC Lokomotiv-Kuban in the semifinals. Despite the loss, Žalgiris was awarded the bronze medals for the first time since 2010. After losing head coach Joan Plaza, Žalgiris rehired Ilias Zouros as head coach. Rumors of Žalgiris leaving the VTB United League began circulating in July, and were confirmed on July 9th. This was because of the changes in the Euroleague format, which means that the teams that didn't qualify for the Top 16 will have a chance to play in the Eurocup playoffs. Despite having a young team, Žalgiris remained strong, getting revenge on PBC Lokomotiv-Kuban in one of the preseason tournament finals. In September, Žalgiris signed European legend Šarūnas Jasikevičius to a one-year deal. After a very slow start in the season, Ilias Zouros was fired as head coach, replaced by Saulius Štombergas. Žalgiris made the Top 16 for the 5th consecutive time. However, Žalgiris also earned criticism for their efforts in the LKL, as the team has been known for showing minimal effort in the games.
Video game
Žalgiris basketball club is featured in NBA 2K14 video game with top thirteen other Euroleague teams for the first time in the club history.[1][2]
Players
Current roster
Note: Flags indicate national team, as has been defined by FIBA. Players may hold more than one nationality.
| BC Žalgiris roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depth chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Bench | Reserve | Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Robertas Javtokas | Kšyštof Lavrinovič | Mindaugas Kupšas | ||
| PF | Paulius Jankūnas | Tadas Klimavičius | Artūras Gudaitis | ||
| SF | Vytenis Lipkevičius | Tauras Jogėla | Siim-Sander Vene | ||
| SG | Martynas Pocius | Artūras Milaknis | Tomas Dimša | ||
| PG | Justin Dentmon | Šarūnas Jasikevičius | Vytenis Čižauskas | Kaspars Vecvagars |
Squad changes for the 2013–14 season
In
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Out
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Out on loan
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Honours
Total titles: 35
Domestic competitions
- Lithuanian Championship
- Winners (15): 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013
- Soviet Union Championship
- Winners (5): 1947, 1951, 1985, 1986, 1987
- Lithuanian Cup
- Winners (4): 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
- Soviet Union Cup
- Winners (1): 1953
European competitions
- Euroleague
- Winners (1): 1999
- Runners-up (1): 1986
- Saporta Cup
- Winners (1): 1998
- Runners-up (1): 1985
Worldwide competitions
- Intercontinental Cup
- Winners (1): 1986
Regional competitions
- NEBL Championship
- Winners (1): 1999
- BBL Championship
- Winners (5): 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
- BBL Cup
- Winners (1): 2009
Season-by-season
Notable players
- To appear in this section a player must have either:
- Played at least one season for the club.
- Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club.
- Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time.
- To perform very successfully during period in the club or at later/previous stages of his career.
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 Žalgiris-Šiauliai in 2007  Žalgiris warming-up before the game
 Žalgiris fans during LKL game in Vilnius
 Former Žalgiris jersey
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Head coaches
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Statistical leaders
All time points per game in European Cup games (PPG)
Only players with significant amount of games played or points scored.‡
| Position | Player | Seasons | Games | Points Total | Points Per Game |
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- Last updated: 2013-11-09.[3]
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to BC Žalgiris. |
- Official website (Lithuanian) (English)
- Club's profile at euroleague.net
- Club's profile at lkl.lt
- Club's profile at bbl.net
- Club's profile at vtb-league.com
References
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