The vilnius basketball team faces a speedy turnaround as they prepare to host Kaunas on December 27th,just days after the christmas holiday. Despite a limited rest period-players were back in planning mode almost immediately after Christmas Eve-head coach G. Žibėnas says the team is focused on the challenge. The game comes at a critical juncture for the team, as Žibėnas publicly addressed concerns about a depleted roster following the departure of captain Gytis Radzevičius and a lack of mid-season acquisitions.
The Vilnius team will face off against Kaunas immediately after the holidays – on December 27th.
G. Žibėnas revealed before the game that the basketball players were only able to rest during Christmas Eve.
“Competitive thoughts. We are preparing on both the 25th and 26th – we didn’t rest too much. It’s a regular game. Of course, the hype is unusual – the arena will be full. It’s somewhat of a special match, but we’re preparing as we do for all games,” the strategist stated.
The “Ryto” coach also sent a message to management. From the beginning of the season, there has been talk that Vilnius needs at least one additional player, but no one has joined the team since then, and former captain Gytis Radzevičius has left.
G. Žibėnas stated before the game that he is currently working with a depleted roster.
“Everyone has to play against Žalgiris. One or two players won’t be enough; everyone has to have a good day. We are not at full strength, even in an emergency situation. Why an emergency? Because our goals are higher. We can win individual games, but considering our seasonal goals, we are currently in an emergency situation. We are not complaining – we will go and fight, because there is a lot of hype,” the coach said.
You can follow the game live on the Lrytas portal starting at 4:50 PM on Saturday.
The Vilnius basketball team is preparing for a highly anticipated match against Kaunas on December 27th, coming off a minimal break during the recent holiday period.
According to coach G. Žibėnas, players only had the opportunity to rest on Christmas Eve, leading to a demanding preparation schedule for the upcoming game. “Competitive thoughts. We are preparing on both the 25th and 26th – we didn’t rest too much,” Žibėnas explained. “It’s a regular game. Of course, the hype is unusual – the arena will be full. It’s somewhat of a special match, but we’re preparing as we do for all games.”
The team is facing challenges related to roster size, as the coach has indicated they are currently operating with a “depleted” or “emergency” roster. This situation stems from the departure of former captain Gytis Radzevičius and a lack of new player acquisitions despite ongoing discussions about needing additional support.
Žibėnas emphasized the need for a collective effort from all players to succeed against Žalgiris. “Everyone has to play against Žalgiris. One or two players won’t be enough; everyone has to have a good day,” he stated. “We are not at full strength, even in an emergency situation. Why an emergency? Because our goals are higher. We can win individual games, but considering our seasonal goals, we are currently in an emergency situation.”
Despite the challenges, the coach expressed a determined attitude. “We are not complaining – we will go and fight, because there is a lot of hype,” Žibėnas added.
Fans can follow live coverage of the game on the Lrytas portal beginning at 4:50 PM on Saturday. This match is particularly significant as teams often face increased pressure and scrutiny during high-profile games, which can impact player performance and overall team dynamics.
