VILNIUS — Both Lietuvos Rytas and Žalgiris succumbed to losses in their final Euroleague games of 2009.
However, the losses have come in contrasting styles. While Žalgiris were completely outclassed by an impressive Regal Barcelona outfit (55-89), Lietuvos Rytas were left heartbroken after pushing Greek powerhouse Olympiacos to overtime, before falling by six (89-83).
Žalgiris’ result did not come as a surprise to any, given the strength of their opponents to date this season. On the back of teen sensation Ricky Rubio, Regal have been uncompromising in demoralizing all opponents they have come up against.
Thursday evening was no different once they had found their straps. Žalgiris were looking good in the opening stages, holding the deficit to just three by the end of the first quarter, with Dainius Šalenga and Travis Watson the main instigators as always for Žalgiris.
But this would be as good a position as the guests would be in all night. Clinical shooting from Regal saw the lead increase with Žalgiris lacking the same accuracy shooting woefully from outside the perimeter, converting just two three-pointers. The telling periods were the second and third when Žalgiris were held to just nine and 11 points respectfully and although they held their own in the final quarter to lose it by just two, it meant little in the overall picture.
Žalgiris record now drops to a paltry one win seven losses, seeing them sit at the bottom of their group.
Heartbreak in Vilnius
To date this season Lietuvos Rytas have been performing with merit at home in the Baltics and abroad in Europe. Unbeaten to date in the BBL, their losses in wider Europe have come at the hands of some the continents leading teams, and not before they have pushed them to the limit.
Wednesday night was no different.Having suffered a loss earlier in the round-robin to Olympiacos Lietuvos Rytas played with a lot more confidence at home in their familiar territory.
It was a classic see-saw battle with the lead changing insurmountable times as both teams enjoyed periods of dominance. It was Lietuvos Rytas who was to enjoy the early advantage, leading by nine (22-13) at the end of the first-quarter. Olympiacos were quick to show however why the are rated amongst Europe’s best clubs to be trailing by a mere point at half-time (34-33).
Lietuvos Rytas held their nerve after the break, matching everything that was thrown at them, continuing to play their natural game to take a three point buffer into the final-quarter.
Like they had in the second-quarter, Olympiacos again fought back in the fourth and looked as if they would snatch the victory when Milos Teodosic fired a long three on the buzzer but with the shot missing the game moved into over-time.
Unfortunately Lietuvos Rytas had nothing left and faded in over-time, giving away too many crucial fouls. Teodosic completed what he had not been able to achieve in regular time, firing home four free-throws in the dying seconds. Bojan Popovic had been the almost hero for Lietuvos Rytas, playing for over 40 minutes of the contest on his way to 19 points.
Lietuvos Rytas head coach Rimas Kirtnaitis was again quick to play the inexperience card but he can not keep claiming this if his troops are to move into the next round. With just two games remaining Lietuvos Rytas sit in a precarious position with a four-win, four-loss record. The true test will come in their next outing when they face Partizan away. Partizan are also maintaining a four-win four-loss record and with both facing difficult final week encounters, everything comes down to this game.
