“Žalgiris” is still fighting without victories in the Euroleague, losing to Belgrade’s “Crvena zvezda mts” with the result 61:73 (14:13, 13:16, 15:17, 19:27).
Jurijs Zdovs, who replaced Martin Schiller, made his debut at the helm of “Žalgiris”.
The shooter fired one of two two-point shots in 23 minutes and 35 seconds and fired one long shot in the basket with the same accuracy, as well as hit his only free throw. He also won five rebounds, made four assists, made one mistake, broke twice the rules, provoked one note and scored 11 efficiency points, which was the second best score in the team.
Joshua Nebo was the most productive in the “Žalgiris” team with 14 points and ten rebounds, but Nikola Kaliničs scored 15 points for the winners.
Meanwhile, Roland Schmidt’s “Barcelona” missed all 12 long shots in the first half, but won its third victory in the Euroleague season in a tense battle. The Barcelona defeated the Piraeus Olympiakos on their square with a score of 79:78 (10:17, 17:15, 28:15, 12:20, 12:11) in the overtime.
Schmidt missed all three long shots in eight minutes and 22 seconds on the court, intercepted one ball, made two mistakes, broke the rules twice and provoked one remark.
The home team’s victory was ensured by Pierres Oriola’s accurate free throws seven seconds before the end of the overtime. At the end of the second field, Kosts Sluks did not take the last second shot, which would have brought the guests a victory if they reached their goal.
Nikola Mirotičs scored the winners with 22 points and six rebounds, but Nik Kalates had nine points, 13 balls under the baskets and seven assists.
Sluks was the most successful with 14 points.
Back in Madrid, Real won Monaco on their field 94:86 (30:12, 21:27, 21:26, 22:21) on Wednesday.
Gerson Jabusel scored 18 points for Madrid, but Tom Ertel had 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists. In Monaco, Mike James scored 24 points and nine assists.
Also this season, ten countries with 18 teams are represented in the Euroleague, which is the same as in the previous season. The teams will play a two-lap tournament, with the top eight entering the playoffs. The Euroleague champion will be determined in Berlin, where the final four tournament will take place.
Last season, the champion was Istanbul’s “Anadolu Efes”, which beat “Barcelona” in the final.
