BC Lietkabelis

Lietkabelis Panevėžys
Leagues	Lithuanian Basketball League EuroCup
Founded	1964
History	Lietkabelis 1964–1996 Kalnapilis 1996–1999 Sema 1999–2000 Panevėžys 2000–2001 'Preventa-Malsena 2001–2002 Malsena 2002–2003 Aukštaitija 2003–2004 Panevėžys 2004–2007 Techasas 2007–2012 Lietkabelis 2012–present
Arena	Cido Arena
Arena Capacity	5,656
Location	Panevėžys, Lithuania
Team colors	Burgundy, white, pale gold
President	Alvydas Bieliauskas
Head coach	Artūrs Štālbergs
Affiliation(s)	Lietkabelis-2 (2015–present)
Championships	2x Lithuania, league champions (1985, 1988) 4x Lithuanian league bronze medal winners (1983, 1984, 1990, 1991) Baltic Basketball League bronze medal winners (2016) King Mindaugas Cup silver medal winners (2017)
Website	kklietkabelis.lt
Uniforms
Home Away

BC Lietkabelis (Lithuanian: Krepšinio klubas Lietkabelis) is a Lithuanian professional basketball team based in Panevėžys, Lithuania, participating in the Lithuanian Basketball League and the Baltic Basketball League. BC Techasas had many financial problems at the 2011–2012 season start, they even boycotted a LKF Cup game.^[1] Because of that Darius Gaudiešius sold the basketball club to Algirdas Kriščiūnas, Antanas Kazys Liorentas and Kazimieras Antanynas.^[2] Due to the club owner changes, club got back his legendary name Lietkabelis.^[3]

History

2012–2016 logo

Early years

Basketball club Lietkabelis history begins in 1964. The club’s name was not changing for straight 32 years. The home-court games were played in Aukštaitija Sports Palace, which was opened in 1965. The construction of the palace was initiated by V. Variakojis. Most of the team‘s players contributed with their own hands in the palace's construction process. At that period, the team was represented by such sports masters, like: S. Atraškevičius, J. Balakauskas, A. Butkūnas, V. Juchnevičius, E. Kuodys, A. Matačiūnas, R. Petrauskas, R. Sargūnas, V. Stalilionis, J. Zičkus, E. Žurauskas, V. Variakojis and others. Until the establishment of the Lithuanian Basketball League in 1993, Lietkabelis was among the country’s strongest basketball teams. During these times, Panevėžys club, trained by R. Sargūnas and V. Paškauskas from 1964 to 1996, became Lithuania’s champions twice (1985, 1988), won third place three times (1983, 1984 and 1991) and qualified into the Lithuania’s Cup competition finals two times (1985, 1986). Other performances are as follows: 1964, 1965, 1968 and 1989 – 5th places, 1966 and 1969 – 6th places, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1986 and 1993 – 7th places, 1973 and 1977 – 11-12 places, 1975 – 11th place, 1976 – 9-10 places, 1979 – 9th place, 1981 – 8th place and 1982, 1987, 1990, 1992 – 4th places.^[4]

1978–1986: playing in USSR Division I

From 1978 to 1986, Lietkabelis represented Lithuania in USSR I division tournament (second-tier competition in the Soviet Union). In more than three decades, many notable basketball persons played for the Panevėžys’ team: Algimantas Baziukas, Algirdas Brazys, Raimundas Čivilis, V. Dambrauskas, A. Kairys, M. Karnišovas, Jonas Kazlauskas, Algirdas Kriščiūnas, Rimas Kurtinaitis, Vitoldas Masalskis, O. Moisejenka, Gintaras Leonavičius, Rolandas Penikas, Algimantas Pavilonis, A. Šidlauskas and others. Notable boarding sports school members, who later been a part of the Lithuania national basketball team, trained their skills in Lietkabelis. Such players are: Gintaras Einikis, Dainius Adomaitis, Alvydas Pazdrazdis, Romanas Brazdauskis, Gvidonas Markevičius and others. The team long-time was coached by V. Stankevičius, a Lietkabelis factory director. The factory was team’s main sponsor.^[4]

1993: Creating the Lithuanian Basketball League

Dainius Šalenga as a Lietkabelis member in 2015.

In 1993, basketball club Lietkabelis was one of the eight Lithuanian Basketball League founders. From 1996, after three decades, Lietkabelis factory left basketball world. The team’s names were changing constantly: Kalnapilis (1996-1999), Sema (1999-2000), Panevėžys (2000-2001 ir 2004-2007), Preventa-Malsena (2001-2003), Aukštaitija (2003-2004) and Techasas (2007-2012). From January 2012, club’s name was reverted to the legendary one – Lietkabelis. In 20 LKL seasons the team’s jersey was worn by such notable Lithuanian basketball players: Gintaras Bačianskas (19,7 points per game in LKL), Gintaras Kadžiulis, Kęstutis Kemzūra, Mindaugas Lukauskis, Paulius Staškūnas, Žydrūnas Urbonas and others.^[4] In 1999-2000 season, Panevėžys team (named Sema at that time) participated in international tournament – FIBA Korać Cup for the first time after the country’s independence. In 2004-2005 season and from 2007 to 2012, Panevėžys team participated in Baltic Basketball League’s second division (renamed to BBL Challenge Cup in 2007). They also played in the BBL Elite Division from 2005 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2014. During ten years in this league, the team achieved first place twice in the BBL Challenge Cup (in 2005 as Panevėžys and in 2012 as Lietkabelis), they also won bronze medals twice as well (in 2008 and 2011 as Techasas). They won the BBL Elite Division, they won the bronze medals in 2016. In the LKL, the highest the team achieved was the quarterfinals, though they did come close in 2007 to reaching the semifinals, losing a very tough series to BC Šiauliai 1:2. In 2016, they also had a tough series against BC Lietuvos rytas, fighting hard in a losing sweep, though only lost the two away games in Vilnius 74:79 and 78:83.^[4]

In October 2008, the brand-new Cido Arena was opened in Panevėžys, which has 5656 seats for the basketball spectators. It became new Panevėžys basketball team home-hourt, replacing the Aukštaitija Sports Palace after 43 years.^[4]

2015–present: participating in European competitions

On July 29, 2015, the club was invited to join the FIBA Europe Cup tournament, which is the alternative version of the 2nd tier European tournament Eurocup, organized by FIBA.^[5] Although, just before the dawning ceremony, it was announced that 56 teams would participate instead of 64 and Lietkabelis was not one of these.^[6]

On July 21, 2016, Lietkabelis was invited to play in the 2016–17 EuroCup season. The club previously registered again in the FIBA Europe Cup.^[7] Following it, the team signed notable veterans: Mindaugas Lukauskis, Kšyštof Lavrinovič and Darjuš Lavrinovič who formed the core of the team.^[8] The positive preseason resulted in record sales of over 700 season tickets just on the sales opening day.^[9] The LKL season began historically by defeating Žalgiris Kaunas 90–86 for the first time after 16 years.^[10] This season became the best one in club history - Lietkabelis had astonishing victories over Žalgiris, BC Lietuvos rytas and BC Neptūnas, the top teams in Lithuania. In the playoffs, Lietkabelis beat BC Vytautas in the quaterfinals 3:0, then shocked Lietuvos rytas 3:1 in the semifinals before losing to Žalgiris in the LKL finals 1:4.^[11] Lietkabelis also reached the 2017 King Mindaugas Cup finals, also losing to Žalgiris 63:84.^[12]

The debut EuroCup season performance was not less pleasant for the club. On October 12, 2016, Donatas Tarolis buzzer-beater guaranteed Lietkabelis first 89–88 Eurocup victory in the history of the club against KK MZT Skopje.^[13] Lietkabelis continued their success in Zagreb, defeating the Croatian champions KK Cedevita 80–76. Another remarkable play was performed by Donatas Tarolis, whose put-back slam secured the victory with just 13 seconds remaining.^[14] On November 23, the record of attendance was achieved, with 4427 spectators during the second game versus Cedevita, though Lietkabelis lost a tough rematch 68:69.^[15] Lietkabelis qualified to the Eurocup Top16, with a 3-5 record in the group stage with another win against MZT Skopje, though lost both games to the top teams in the group - CB Gran Canaria and BC Nizhny Novgorod. Lietkabelis played in Group F against former tournament champion BC Khimki, and German giants FC Bayern München and ratiopharm Ulm. While Lietkabelis didn't manage to defeat Khimki and Bayern, they won both games against a powerful ratiopharm Ulm team, and finished the Eurocup Top16 phase with a respectable 2-4 record.^[16]

On June 13, 2017, it was announced that in the 2017-2018 season Lietkabelis for a second straight time will participate in the EuroCup competition.^[17] Consequently, the team successfully extended contracts with the Lavrinovič twins, signed former long-term Lithuania men's national basketball team member Simas Jasaitis and candidate of the national team Adas Juškevičius.^[18][19][20]

Current roster

BC Lietkabelis roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age 4.0 !PF 3 LTU ! Tarolis, Donatas 7000202000000000000♠2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 7002109000000000000♠109 kg (240 lb) 7001230000000000000♠23 – (1994-04-30)30 April 1994 1.0 !PG 5 USA ! Williams, Lorenzo 7000187000000000000♠1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 7001860000000000000♠86 kg (190 lb) 7001320000000000000♠32 – (1984-11-08)8 November 1984 5.0 !C 7 LTU ! Lavrinovič, Darjuš 7000212000000000000♠2.12 m (6 ft 11 in) 7002110000000000000♠110 kg (243 lb) 7001370000000000000♠37 – (1979-11-01)1 November 1979 2.0 !SG 9 LTU ! Leonavičius, Gintaras 7000194000000000000♠1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 7001840000000000000♠84 kg (185 lb) 7001330000000000000♠33 – (1983-10-29)29 October 1983 4.0 !PF 12 LTU ! Lavrinovič, Kšyštof 7000210000000000000♠2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) 7002116000000000000♠116 kg (256 lb) 7001370000000000000♠37 – (1979-11-01)1 November 1979 4.0 !PF 50 LTU ! Skučas, Žygimantas 7000200999999999999♠2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 7002103000000000000♠103 kg (227 lb) 7001250000000000000♠25 – (1992-03-18)18 March 1992 4.5 !F/C 14 LTU ! Čepukaitis, Vaidas 7000206999999999999♠2.07 m (6 ft 9 in) 7002104000000000000♠104 kg (229 lb) 7001280000000000000♠28 – (1989-05-16)16 May 1989 2.5 !G/F 31 LAT ! Peiners, Žanis 7000204999999999999♠2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 7001960000000000000♠96 kg (212 lb) 7001270000000000000♠27 – (1990-08-02)2 August 1990 1.5 !G 4 LTU ! Aukštikalnis, Lukas 7000196000000000000♠1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 7001800000000000000♠80 kg (176 lb) 7001210000000000000♠21 – (1995-08-19)19 August 1995 1.5 !G 8 LTU ! Juškevičius, Adas 7000194000000000000♠1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 7001920000000000000♠92 kg (203 lb) 7001280000000000000♠28 – (1989-01-03)3 January 1989 3.0 !SF 13 LTU ! Jasaitis, Simas 7000202999999999999♠2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 7001910000000000000♠91 kg (201 lb) 7001350000000000000♠35 – (1982-03-26)26 March 1982	Head coach Artūrs Štālbergs Assistant coach(es) Gintaras Kadžiulis Vitaliy Cherniy Vidmantas Šlapokas Physiotherapist(s) Ramūnas Širvinskas Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster Updated: 23 April 2016

Depth chart

Squad changes for/during the 2017/18 season

In

No. Position Player 14 C Vaidas Čepukaitis (from BC Juventus) G/F Žanis Peiners (from PAOK Thessaloniki) G Adas Juškevičius (from Basket Zaragoza) SF Simas Jasaitis (from Victoria Libertas Pesaro)

Out

No. Position Player 1 SG Ben Madgen (to BC Lietuvos Rytas) 19 PG Žygimantas Janavičius (to Basketball Löwen Braunschweig) 8 SF Mindaugas Lukauskis (to BC Lietuvos Rytas) 6 SG Tadas Rinkūnas (to) 21 C Simas Galdikas (to)

Club achievements

Evaldas Žabas was named LKL All-Star in 2015.

Jurica Žuža previously played for Panathinaikos before joining Lietkabelis.

Egidijus Dimša was one of Lietkabelis team leaders in 2015.

Detailed information of former rosters and results.^[21][22][23]

Notable players

To appear in this section a player must be either:

• A player who has played at least 3 seasons (if foreign player) or 5 seasons (if Lithuanian player) for the club.
• A player who has won an individual award.
• A Lithuanian player who has played for the Lithuanian national basketball team.
• A foreign international player who has significantly contributed into the results of the club.
• A Lithuanian player who has significantly contributed into the results of the club.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BC Lietkabelis.

• Official website of BC Lietkabelis (in Lithuanian)
• BC Lietkabelis LKL.lt (in Lithuanian)