KAUNAS, Lithuania — Žalgiris have found the going tough early in Euroleague round 2, falling to CSKA Moscow 68-83.

After only just making it through to the second round their second game has been a shot of reality for Žalgiris who have been made to pay for a lapse in concentration in the second half.

But the result could have been entirely different, with Žalgiris wishing the half-time whistle was actually the signal for full-time, as they went into the break with a healthy 10-point (45-35) lead.

This came on the back of a particularly strong start with CSKA seemingly clueless in their attempts to stall Žalgiris’ offensive game lead by Tadas Klimivičius and Marcus Brown, who was also doing the business defensively.

But Žalgiris wavered following the break, completely handing the momentum to CSKA. The Russians were ruthless in the third quarter, pulling in the deficit to see the teams go tied into the final period.

Žalgiris at this stage would have still fancied the chances, but they soon came to realize just how costly mistakes are at this level with CSKA demoralizing their hosts in the final period to run away with the game.

Coach Ramūnas Butautas stated the obvious following the game, stating that, ‘”two quarters are not enough, you have to play with confidence for 40 minutes.”

This is something he will be hoping for when they Unicaja away next week.