Blood and a card: Žalgiris players are wiping away the blood: such a series has never happened in my life

The EuroLeague season has concluded for BC Žalgiris, as the Lithuanian champions fell to Fenerbahçe in a hard-fought Game 4 of the quarterfinals. The final score, 94-90 in overtime, sealed a 3-1 series victory for the Turkish side and brought a disappointing end to Žalgiris's campaign. Captain Edgaras Ulanovas, visibly emotional after the game, spoke of the small details that decided the outcome. "Little things decided it in the end... We fought until the end, there was a chance to win, but... I can't say anything sensible right now," Ulanovas lamented, still wiping away blood from a cut on his lip sustained during the intense match.

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Little things decided it in the end... We fought until the end, there was a chance to win, but... I can't say anything sensible right now.

The series itself was characterized by its physicality, a stark contrast to the more refined play often seen in basketball. Both Žalgiris players and their opponents engaged in a gritty, hard-fought battle, with some Žalgiris players admitting they had to adjust to a level of contact they hadn't experienced before. "In this series, the game was probably the toughest in my life – they allowed a lot of rough play. This is not a complaint, as it was allowed for both of us. We adapted, but perhaps it took us too long," commented forward Arnas Butkevičius. Despite the tough physical exchanges, Ulanovas also noted that the referees managed the game well, allowing for a more robust style of play throughout the series without excessive whistle-blowing.

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In this series, the game was probably the toughest in my life – they allowed a lot of rough play. This is not a complaint, as it was allowed for both of us. We adapted, but perhaps it took us too long.

Looking back, the Žalgiris players expressed regret over their performance in the initial games of the series, particularly the road games in Istanbul. They felt that a stronger start might have changed the outcome. "We were probably too respectful of them at the beginning. It's most painful that we didn't start the series the way we can. If we had returned to Istanbul for a fifth game, we would have been differently motivated. Of course, we would have given everything there... Unfortunately, we won't be going..." Ulanovas said, reflecting on what might have been. The defeat marks the end of another EuroLeague season for Žalgiris, leaving fans to ponder what could have been and look forward to the next opportunity to compete for European glory.

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We were probably too respectful of them at the beginning. It's most painful that we didn't start the series the way we can. If we had returned to Istanbul for a fifth game, we would have been differently motivated.