The main revelation of Euroleague.

Budget "Jalgirisa" - 8.5 million euros, one of the smallest in the Euroleague. This does not interfere with the coacher of the club of the ball of the ball of the ball, Yasikhavyusu, the second season to surprise everyone around - this time the "green" made his way into the "Final Four".

How does he succeed?

1. The main thing in Zalgiris - discipline

Discipline is a fairly blurred concept in sports. But not in the case of Yasikhavyus.

The coach of Zalgiris is hardly clearer all the others in Europe leads the game - she is pounced on players when he doesn't like something, it is not afraid to shoot them after bad moments, constantly takes a time-out.

This year he took part in one of the most sensitive moments of the season. When Milaknis got three-way for 7 seconds before the end of the game with "Fenerbahce", Yasikhavičius rushed to him with his fingers attached to the temples - it would be terrible to think that it would be with striker if he had already missed, and the Turks were saved.

But in the course of each match of such moments you can see many. For example, in a meeting with CSKA hardly, Breenon Davis was hardly the main victim of Yasikhavičius. The American spent the best game of the season (17 points, 5 rebounds in 25 minutes), but received a complete - angry coach several times he was significantly suggested when he began to unnecessarily drag on himself in uncomfortable situations or just shy.

Discipline in Zalgiris is when everyone is exclusively engaged in what can, and performs the installation of the coach. The minimum way out of these frameworks (and in the case of Davis, they were generally almost noticeable) is fraught with immediate sanctions.

Yasikhavichyus and himself constantly says. The collective "head" of his players is hardly the central theme of all his interviews.

"If the head is in order, then we will achieve a lot in this Euroleague".

2. In Zalgiris - one of the most effective eurolyag attacks

The "Green" attack is their main treasure and generally the main surprise.

Traditionally, budgetary teams can shoot at the expense of protection - efforts, games on the edges of the foul, atlotism, charges from fans, systems.

"Jalgiris" is not impressive primarily on someone else's half. According to attacking the effectiveness of the attack (in terms of hundreds of possessions), the YasiChaustius team is the fifth in the Euroleague (the first four: CSKA, "Real", "Fener", "Basqueonia").

The attack is built quite typical. Yasikhavicyus often uses two playing, which ride "twos" or with someone from the centers, or with Jankunas and throw the ball on one side to another if something does not work. It creates the possibility either for the passage of the small one, or the ball is brought to the fourth-fifth room in the slaughter position.

All this is in the textbook.

That is not atypically, this is the components of the whole process in the execution of Zalgiris.

"Jalgiris" - in the last place in the number of three-point in the Euroleague.

Zalgiris moves a lot of balls on one side to another, forcing not only defenders, but also "big" players to continue to look for an optimal position for attack, pull the dance-Tim and paste on.

"Jalgiris" punishes for all unequal exchanges and collectively understands where to beat.

Hence 20 programs on average for the game (this is the 3rd place in the Euroleague), from here 13.3 loss (this is the most in the Euroleague).

And the most important thing is to create a variety of convenient situations for throws.

"Jalgiris" - the fifth in the effectiveness of two-point (55%), the third effectiveness of the three-point (42%) and the third in the number of provoked fouls (22 on average).

On the floor, this means that "Jalgiris" squeezes all the best of those who are in the cage of Yasikaviqus.

Davis (once and two) and Cavalyauskas get the ball under the ring and be played.

Yankunas stopped so often go to the perimeter, but still virtuoso puts with the average and pulls attention to himself. Two in a row peak-n-nas under him in the match with CSKA: once and two.

And Milaknis and Pangos clog more than 47% due to arc.

Despite the small (compared to the rest), the number of three-point, Zalgiris does not ignore the trends of modern basketball. Just use them otherwise: the second-third numbers of Yasikhavičyus (White, Tipan, Ulanovas, Milaknis) create space and threaten throw, thereby facilitating the life of partners under the shield.

3. Kevin Pangos Rose into the Star

Zalgiris got a young Canadian after his first season in the Grand Canaria. The little parenchy there was implemented the disconnect 38% from the game and looked so proud that he was constantly wanted to feed.

Sustitude is not going anywhere, but for two years, Yasikhavichyus has a defender turned into an unconditional team leader: now Panganos is one of the best programs (6.2) and efficiency with the game (48% two-point and 49% three-point).

System system, but it is his game that gives "Salgiris" an exception.

Pattern in college, Pangos took the karate lessons in order to develop high-speed quality. It is difficult to say how it helps, but the speed of Canadian is enough to get out of the category of typical European playing: it is capable of changing the best guardians at the expense of changing directions. Such a skill in the Euroleague immediately gives its owner the status of prog. "Two" with his participation is the most operating element in the attack of Zalgiris. Its three-point from the conduct - what constantly keeps protection in voltage and is a factor of "grave". It is called into the decisive moments when it is necessary to shine individuality.

Run from the fact that Panganos is a player who has fully formed Yasikhavičius fails. In those moments, when he does not try to break the offender of a friend White, he always has such a frightened expression of a person, as if everything is happening for him - even more revelation than for all of us. And in the ending, when Zalgiris hopes more on him, and the opponent is waiting for him, he often looks not the best way.

And yet without his phenomenal efficiency, without his ability to beat one to one, without its speed it is impossible to imagine "Jalgiris" where he is now.

4. Protection at Zalgiris - average, but it is not bad

At the same time, according to the indicator of True Rebounding Ratio (the number of rebounds in the ratio with the possibilities for seabouts), Zalgiris ranks first.

Similar situation and protection as a whole.

According to the protective effectiveness of Zalgiris - 9th in the Euroleague.

But in general, this is not as bad, given that the leaders of the team - Pangos and Jankunas are people who traditionally in this aspect.

The Yasikhavičius system suggests a very aggressive substituhance at the "twos", and this is very well reflected in the statistics: "Jalgiris" - the second in the Euroleague on the percentage of two-point rival (only "Real"), but at the same time the eighth percent of the three-point (weak side remains Without a defender, and if the opponent reads it, then "Jalgiris" is punished).

In general, here YasiKavičyus manages to compensate for the shortcomings of the main players and create a chance for the team to win through the attack.

5. Coaching searches

Yasikhavičyus coacher distinguish two things.

Yasikhavičyus is the first in the number of replacements in the Euroleague. After 26 tours, he made 1009 replacements, while Georgios Barzokas - twice as fewer.

Yasikhavichyus constantly changes the starting five, and is looking for optimal combinations against a specific opponent, and uses some uncharacteristic moves like a double center or two playing, and wants to see people on the couch.

This is not exactly what the coach of a poor team should be engaged. But in Kaunas, 9 players play more than 15 minutes on average (and there are Beno Udrich, who arrived from America specially for CSKA).

Yasikhavichyus - the first one by the number of timeouts. Here the gap is not so big (he has 115, in the last plastic - 72), but still it is quite accurate characterizes the Lithuanian style.

In the match with CSKA, he asked the time-out at "+17" four minutes before the end so that the team moves to a slow basketball, killed the time, acted more prolocably and did not make enough nonsense. Without stupidities, in the end, it was not good, but the number of possessions of Zalgiris has fun intact.

King Sharunas! "Jalgiris" goes to the final of four with a steep coach-speaker

Observer of Soviet Sports on Sensation, presented to the best sports team of the Baltic States in the basketball Euroleague.

In Lithuania, sometimes they say - the whole world has Jesus Christ, and we have Arvidas Sabonis. Perhaps soon he will be not alone. Before the fame of Sabonis-Player, it is probably nobody and never, but here the glory of the coach of the Sharunas Yasiqavyus creates eyes on our eyes. The only one in the era Euroleague (since 2001) a player who won her 4 times (two with Maccabi, one with Barcelona and Panathinaikos), will be very likely to be recognized as its best coach in 2018. Regardless of how Zalgiris will perform in the final of four in Belgrade on 18/20 May.

Articles | In the "Final Four" CSKA brought judges?

The success of the Kaunas Club is really unique. Of the 16 participants of the budget tournament, he goes in the top three "beggars" (with Barza Bamberg and the "Tsrug Star", the 12th and 14th places in the regular season), having only 8.5 million euros for the season. The main problem every year is the same - find enough cheap, but able to give the result of players. Methods There are different - to prolong the career of the 35-year-old Slovenian Beno Udrich, pick up the "Bavaria" (not football) Serba Vasily Michichi, search for the forgotten "Monaco" (again not a football) of the same forgotten American Brandon Davis, to collect almost everyone Returned home from Europe Lithuanian basketball players, finally, believe that Zalgiris can strengthen the Lieutuzos Ritas player (Antanas Cavalyauskas).

But genuine pearls are two - Yasikhavicyus and 25-year-old Canadian Kevin Pangos. They came to the club at the same time - in 2016. For two years, a huge path was done, this, by the way, felt CSKA, twice lost in Kaunas in the last two seasons, and both times - absolutely in the case. Yasiqavicyus immediately began to prove that the impossible is possible, and Canadian became its main tool on the site. A graduate of the University of Gonzaga (Sabonis Jr. was played there, and, of course, in his arrival in Kaunas did not deal with Sabonis-senior), he was not obviously played for the "Grand Canary", and seemed elementary physically weak. Today, such epithets will pronounce that crazy. Panganos is the real leader of Kaunas, and among the players playing in the whole tournament. Perhaps soon he will go to the rise - but "Zalgiris" is not accustomed to raising stars for others. But now the future squeezed to the third May weekend. Let's be payable, - wiping the tears of happiness, said after the game Sharunas, - We will be ready for Belgrade!

The second uniqueness of the success of Zalgiris is his basketball. Usually "poor, but proud" try to take protection. YasiKhaniyus, on the contrary - attack. Extremely specific. In the world of basketball, where the competition is increasingly meeting, "who will wise up because of the arc", "Jalgiris" - the second from the end by the number of 3-points thrown over the tournament. By 333 (!) Less than that of Khimki. At the same time, on the percentage of getting from the arc "Jalgiris" ... first! The Kaunas Club Commander is not against 3-points in general - he is against unreasonable use. So, admire how he met the victorious "Baszer" from Milaknis in Istanbul against "Fenera".

Yes, in 5 seconds to Siren, Milaknis got. And if I missed? At the usual time of the game Sharunas is the same. If it is extremely easy to simplify, "it is necessary to" fill "when there are no other options. But the option is to search. Lithuanians are looking for him too funny - then leaving two centers, then with two "small", throwing the ball on the flanks attacks in search of a good opening inside. Smart, and according to many, irrelevated basketball.

Another Hint Yasikhavičius - replacement and timeouts. Here he is the king of Euroleague. And this is the continuation of his explosive nature. He should not be removed from anyone for the slightest departure from the team strategy. Rapory, scary to wave hands. Time Aute he takes not "according to the classics", and whenever it feels that the team can Fresh. That is, without reacting to events, but predicting them.

Last year he was kicked out from the bench in the game against CSKA for two technical fouls. Yasikhavichyus was boiling as never boiled by a player, and he was not even violent by a player, but at times just hysterical. Already at the end of the career in the training session of the Lithuanian national team, he "took out" someone from partners with permanent comments that the young player prayed: Sharunas, well, silently, you also make mistakes! Yes, "the star replied, - but I see how this we need Do, and you are not.

The absolute hit of the Internet has become a video from the press conference of the coach in its first season. It must be seen, even if you do not know Lithuanian or English.

- Coach, what do you think about the departure of Augusto Lima in the middle of the series to attend childbirth?
- What I think? I let him go.

- Is it normal for a player - leave the team along the semifinal series?
- Do you have children?

- Not.
- When you have them, you will understand this, you will understand it. Because it is a higher, which can be in a person's life. Wow, this is a good question, in fact! Do you think basketball is the most important thing in life?

- No, but the semifinal is important?
- Semifinal? Who is it important for?

- For the team.
- What?

- "Jalgiris".
- Have you seen how much fans came? Important? When you see your first child, you will understand what is actually important in life. When it happens, come, and talk to me! Because nothing in the world can be more important than the birth of a child! Believe me! Neither titles, nor something else. Augusto Lima is now emotionally in heaven! And I am very happy for him!

Do you think this episode speaks about Yasikhavičius everything? I thought so too until I was in Kaunas this year. Before the game with CSKA, several Russian journalists with Lithuanian colleagues went to the most famous bar in this city (if something there is something except "Jalgiris"). After 20 minutes, Yasikhavyus came with a group of CSKA coaches, acquaintances to him on Panathinaikos. The conversation at the rack was delayed, but none of the visitors dare disturb the coach, realizing that now his free time. And he himself - completely calmly communicated with old friends. Understanding that the game, even if the most important thing (and to whom, how does not he understand about the confrontation with CSKA?) - This is just a game.

And in her, by the way, it is necessary to play. And it knows how to do this with not the most powerful resources. I think, according to the ratio of the basic level / achievement in this Euroleague, it is "Zalgiris" the best team.

Do not believe? Ask Vasilisa Spanulis. Or just look like this.

"Jalgirisa" was not in the final of four 19 years. Actually, when he was there - it was still the previous era of the tournament. And then he won him. 10 minutes in the final at the site was given Darus Mascolunk, now - Assistant YasiKavychus.

Well, at the Shatrunas itself there is an extremely dramatic story (not inferior to Munich-1972) games vs "Jalgirisa." In 2004, in the decisive match for entering the final of the four, he was playing against Kaunassev. 2.2 seconds to the end, at the expense of 81:84, he received the fifth foul, left the site and first of all congratulated the Sabonis and coach of Antanas Sireik returned from the NBA. Speaking on the bench and cry - the final was played in Tel Aviv and the mighty McCaby, it seemed that now could not get there. But - got (and then won). How? That's how.

The story is stolen. For a long time, Sharunas Yasikhaviqius, who has not been very popular with the fans of Zalgiris (He is Games for Lietuzos Ritas, and in Zalgiris, he spent only the last game season) now leads him to the most important battle, 19 years later. On the way - "Fenerbahce".

If suddenly in Belgrade, CSKA and Zalgiris will play in the final - this will be a real dream finale. Someone will return to childhood, someone to youth. But it will be incredibly cool. And if our CSKA in the final of the frequenter (15 participation and 3 victories in the tournament), then his sworn is still in the days of the USSR, the opponent was not there in the new era. Plot?

PRIVATE BUSSINESS

Sharunas Yasikhavichyus.

42 years old, height 195 cm, played on the position of playing.

He studied (including basketball) in Solanco High School (Pennsylvania, USA), then at the University of Maryland.

He played for the team: "Lieutuzos Ritas", Olympia (Ljubljana), Barcelona, \u200b\u200bMakcabi, Indiana Peisers, "Golden State Warriors", "Panathinaikos", "Fenerbahce", "Jalgiris". In the coaching headquarters of Kaunassev from the 2014th, head coach since 2016.

Bronze medalist of the Olympics 2000

European champion-2003 and MVP tournament. Player of the year in Europe-2003

Champion of Slovenia, Spain (2 times), Israel (2 times), Greece (2 times)

4-fold Euroleague winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009). MVP Four-2005 Final

Above only stars

Legendary coach "Zalgirisa" Vladas Garastas about the confrontation of great clubs and the meaning of the Unified League of VTB

February 8 shows 81 years old Patriarch Basketball Vlasas Garastasu. On the eve of the birthday of the Honored Coach of the USSR, the last mentor of the national team of the Soviet Union gave an interview by phone.

Put the Homicheus, otherwise wisers

- Mr. Garastas, from Russia worried you. How are you?

- From Russia? Very nice. You speak louder, I do not care. How are you? Thank you, normal. I continue to work in the basketball federation. I was assigned the title "Honorary President". Prior to that, 8 years old headed the federation. But a year and a half ago, Sabonis became president. Arvidas did not immediately agreed, had to persuade him.

– What are your duties?

- A group has been created in the Federation, somewhere besides me consistent Powlaskas and Sergeyus Yovaysh. We go through Lithuania, look at how things are in one or another small town with basketball. Consult, help.

– Why exactly you, the children's coach from the provincial stock exchange, were invited in 1979 to head Zalgiris?

- In the season, Zalgiris took the 11th place out of 12 teams. I do not remember such a failure. Interestingly, "Staby" then won bronze medals ... And you know, a few people refused immediately, no one wanted in Zalgiris. Offered me. I worked in Exchange, but for 7 years he trained the youth team of Lithuania. And I agreed.

- Where did you start?

- I knew how they trained: they work for three days - the day off, then again three days. Sometimes one workout per day. With such a work you will not achieve a lot. I changed it all. The weekend gave, but after the six-day cycle. Two workouts per day during the season, at the charges - three. Plus paid great attention to tactics. Plus an hour and a half of individual training. And in the year we took second place. In Kiev beat CSKA. And before, the match with army was perceived as a rest. It was believed that they were still impossible to win, no one straightened.

"Sabas I was not very lucky at first."

- How did you collect this great team? In Zalgiris, Yovaysha, Masalskis, Arlauskas. Homicheus came with you?

- Homicheus was already. He just became European champion in the USSR national team. But I did not put it in the starting five - there were players more fun. We went to the first round in Tbilisi in December 1979. And one official from Moscow says: "Comrade Garastas, why don't you put in the composition of the champion of Europe Khomichyus? Stop it! Otherwise you have to say goodbye to. " Waldas after all late came to basketball - the gaps were big. But we must give him due: Paled as the damned and very quickly progressed. Soon I appointed a captain.

Sabonis learns to play, then release

- How did Sabonis appeared in the team?

- We had trouble with high: Civilis - 207 and Laurritenas - 205. The rest are below two meters. What to do? Here Thaila Powlauskas, he trained the youthful national team, says: "I have a guy - Sabonis. True, he is only 16 years old, but the head is light. " Honestly, Sabas did not really like me at the beginning: it was a slight one, the growth of it was 209. But I immediately put it in the starting five. Risky. But it was necessary to think about the future. In many teams, as it was: Change of generations, a lot of young people joined, the results are down. I will say you: it means that the coach works badly. In Zalgiris, there was no such thing.

"But how to sabasa with men to hide at 16?"

- It was not easy for him at first. Elementary Silenok was not enough, and there - Tkachenko, other powerful centers. The first round of the 1981 championship took place in Moscow, we lost four matches out of five. Arvidas for seven or eight mistakes allowed for the match. To me in the hotel room came to complain veterans: "Why do you put your boyfriend? Learn to play - then put. " I built a team at the training session and said: "When you become coaches, you will do what you think, but for now I decide here to play." We returned to Kaunas, I am called me to the sports committee. And it began: "Comrade Garastas, in your work there are many shortcomings, for example, with the composition are mistaken, put not those players. The team has no result. We remove you from the manual. " Saved me Captain, Arlauskas. He said that in the team everything is fine, we work a lot, the results will be soon. And, oddly enough, he was obeyed. A year later, took 17-year-old Sabonis on the adult world championship in Colombia, he played well there. And the same people who reproached me why I put this boys, said: "Good to Garastas - he has Sabonis." Sabonis was sent to us. Such players are born once in the century. It is difficult to say when the second one will appear in Lithuania.

Gomel took kartinaitis in CSKA

- A separate story was with Kuritaryithis. He was kicked out of the institute on denunciation of one official and took into the army. Homicheus told me that at the charges in Klaipeda Kurtarytis, who played the team of the first league of the Riga SKA, scored "Zalgiris" in the control match more than 30 points. And then there was no 3-point zone. And the group of players appealed to you: "We must return Rimas!"

"Sabonisa god sent us"

- He turned ... And what could be done? His Gomel was noticed in CSKA. It was necessary to return it at least after two years of service. And it was also not easy. We met at the Khomomius wedding. I say: "Rimas, you will end the service life, we are really waiting for you. Return home, in Zalgiris.

- Could not return?

- Yes. His Sergey Belov walked: they say, stay in Moscow, Lieutenant give, an apartment. But in the 83rd, in the first superfinal against CSKA, Rimas played for Zalgiris. What is there Kurturitis, in CSKA have already slept and saw Sabonis at home! Do you know how we saved him from the army?

- How?

- Then they did not take into the army from medical and agricultural institutions. When Arvidas finished the graduation class, we agreed with the school principal, so that Sabonis passed the final exams a month earlier, in May. Then, through the Minister of Education of Lithuania, they turned to the Agrichecade Rector in Kaunas to allow Sabonis to expand the entrance exams. "Well, because of one such student, agriculture in Lithuania will not fall apart," said the rector. In general, when a draft campaign began, Arvidas was already a student. That's how I will be revealed from CSKA.

In Zalgiris, only their own

- "Sportgall" accompanied 4.5 thousand. All Lithuania wanted to get on matches with CSKA. For you probably, a lot of people appealed to help with tickets?

- I still could not help anything. Tickets for these matches were not sold - distributed in enterprises as the most deficient goods. I was given five tickets. Players - who has five to whom three, depending on merit. Where am I deval tickets? I gave my son, daughters, other relatives.

- And the speculators could buy tickets?

"Going 15 thousand in Kaunas to Zalgiris - CSKA"

- You know, never heard about speculators. I think they simply were not. All Lithuania dreamed of getting in the "sporthaft" on these superfinels. Hardly someone would have risked for a few rubles to trade holy. Kaunas - the city is small, it would be difficult to hide it. Although you wanted to pay any price for such a ticket enough. However, there were more spectators at the matches than the Palace officially could accommodate. It was visible to the naked eye. There were no chairs then, and on the benches, people sat very tightly - like herring in barrels, plus all the passages, the stairs were clogged. Apparently, the heads of the palace produced some additional counterclaims.

- It is clear that these matches had a political background, although they did not speak about it. Pumps were from the first persons: die, but win?

- never happened. I can't even imagine who could do such pumps. I'll tell you another. When the first superfinal lost in 1983, the basketball players tell me: "The coach, not enough in the high team. It's hard for us to fight with CSKA. But there is one guy who wants to play. " It was Valera Tikhonenko. I think that's great: a strong basketball player, height - 207. He played in Alma-Ata. I went to the authorities: so, it is necessary to strengthen the team, there is a great player. And they answer me: "Let we lose, but only our own in Zalgiris."

- The first "gold" Zalgiris won in 1985. How did you thank you for this victory?

- Yes, what good there ... nothing was. The car could buy without a queue, but for your money. In 1986, the second time we became the champions of the USSR and went to play Jones Cup in Argentina. This is the World Cup World. And we won this cup! They arrived in Kaunas at night, the Polgorod met us, and after lunch flew up to Leningrad, then Paired matches were. Nobody suffered these matches, although for the first time we produced such a trophy for the country. Sabonis received an injury in Argentina, remained in Kaunas. The guys are exhausted after such a tournament, plus acclimatization. In general, both match "Spartak" lost. Returning to Kaunas: When will the award be for the Jones Cup? And we answer: "What a bonus? You lost in Leningrad. " Here you are good ...

- What salary was in Zalgiris?

- At the collections - Kurtinaitis, Homicheus, Sabonis - 300 rubles. For the rest - by 200. I also have 200. The guys abroad bought magazines about basketball - "Gigantes" and others. We read there: the salaries of the players "Real" - 40 thousand. And we have 200 rubles. But we beat this "Real".

All the best basketball should be in Vilnius

"Why didn't the root Kaunasman marchylenice be returned to his hometown?"

- I was deceived. When another Sharunas ended the school, one official said to me: "Don't worry for marchylenice, we will agree with him, and he will play in Zalgiris. I look, he is already in Vilnius, in the "statist". What I just did not do to return it! I went to Vilnius, in the Central Committee of the Party, explained: "We are with" Tibon ", Real Madrid for the Champions Cup. And "Staby" - for survival in the highest league. Marrchylenis will play against the best basketball players in Europe. This is for him, and for the national team well. " They: "Yes, of course, understand." And himself - "Zhiguli" and the apartment is new. A year later, I'm going to Vilnius again. "Yes, all you are talking right," agree. And marchylenis themselves - "Volga" and an apartment in the old town.

- And to declare: "I want to play" Jalgiris "!"- He couldn't he?

- No one would let him go. Nobody could do anything against large Vilnius officials. And they believed that all the best basketball should be in Vilnius. Only once we managed to return our guy from Staby - Brazdauskis. My wife Homicheus was sister, we were married to Brazdauskis. And on family circumstances transferred it to Kaunas. No one could prevent here.

– What do you think Sabonis late went to the NBA?

"Of course, I used to leave. After the first season in the NBA, I spoke with Arvidas. He complained: "Why didn't I left before?! I smelled along forty minutes here - from call to call. And there - ejected its 15-20 minutes and free. "

- The players "Zalgirisa" had a star disease?

- You understand: Huge glory on young guys fell. Everyone wanted to meet them, boast familiar: "I saw Kurtarytis in a restaurant." Often, they invented what was not. Although, of course, anything happened. But when it was necessary, they trained as damned. It now does not have problems with discipline. Large contracts, big money is best disciplined. And then that - received 300 rubles at the end of the month and is free. I was sometimes criticized: they say, in order, rustic about them. I wanted to deduct one. And those officials who called for discipline say: "What are you doing?! He in Vilnius, will leave "Staby" and will play against you. "

- Now League VTB made it possible to play clubs from the former USSR in one tournament. What feelings are experiencing when 15 thousand come to "Jalgiris-Arena" to cheat for their match against CSKA?

- Well, what feelings are nostalgia! For more than 20 years, as there is no USSR Championship, and the fans will remember these matches, talk about them to their children. Therefore, 15 thousand in Kaunas meets at Zalgiris - CSKA. This is already a classic basketball. And thanks to the league VTB, such a holiday for Lithuanian fans is now several times per season. In the Euroleague, our teams could not meet for years. People who have invented and creating this league are just great.