ISTANBUL, Turkey — Against all odds Žalgiris have sneaked into the second round of Euroleague action following a 76-68 win over Fenerbahçe Ülker on Thursday evening.
It is an outcome that few would have predicted with Žalgiris having looked dead in the water, with the only the most complex of mathematical chances seeing them through. But not only have they made it through, they have ended up qualifying third in their group.
From group A Regal FC Barcelona cruised through as the only team not to drop a game in the competition to date. Montepaschi Siena also got through easily with an 8-2 record. However, below these two teams upsets galore saw the remaining four teams all end up with a less than impressive 3-7 record. On home and away count backs, Žalgiris found themselves sifting through with ease in third spot.
A win to Fenerbahçe Ülker would have seen them take third spot and ultimately place Žalgiris last in the group but on Thursday night Žalgiris simply wanted it more. Following on from their great start to the New Year last week, Žalgiris carried on from where they left off.
Their hopes were lifted when Fenerbahçe Ülker star Rasim Başak hobbled off early in the game, forcing the hosts to rely heavily on their bench. By the end of the third quarter confidence was high amongst the Lithuanians as they went into the final quarter holding a 17-point lead.
Understandably with everything to play for, Fenerbahçe Ülker were able to cut into the lead in the final quarter but it was not enough to make a match of it as Žalgiris returned to their changing room to hear that they had qualified to go through to the final 16.
Žalgiris guard Marcus Brown put the win down to an ability to stay focused when the pressure came on while head coach Ramūnas Butautas added that it was his team’s defense that won the game for them.
Given that Žalgiris entered the second round on a wing and prayer, it is difficult to see them advancing any further, but then again, they proved by simply making the final 16 that anything can happen.
