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Žalgiris not getting ahead of themselves, but believes the fight will go to the very end
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Sports

Žalgiris not getting ahead of themselves, but believes the fight will go to the very end

From Delfi · (40m ago) Lithuanian Positive tone

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Lithuanian basketball club Žalgiris Kaunas defeated Fenerbahçe Istanbul 81-78 in Game 3 of their EuroLeague quarterfinal series, narrowing the deficit to 1-2.
  • The team overcame a 19-point deficit, showcasing resilience and determination in front of a home crowd.
  • Despite the crucial win, players emphasized the need to maintain focus and intensity for upcoming games, acknowledging that the series is far from over.

In a thrilling display of grit and determination, our beloved Žalgiris Kaunas has reignited its EuroLeague season, snatching a vital 81-78 victory against Fenerbahçe Istanbul in Game 3 of their quarterfinal series. Trailing by as many as 19 points, the team mounted an incredible comeback, demonstrating the fighting spirit that defines Lithuanian basketball.

We are not flying high. We are still trailing in the series, we need to go into the next game with the same attitude we showed in the second half of this game.

— Arnas ButkevičiusThe emotional leader of Žalgiris emphasized the need for continued focus despite the significant comeback victory.

The roar of the crowd in the packed Žalgiris Arena fueled the players as they clawed their way back, ultimately securing a win that keeps our hopes alive. However, as key players like Arnas Butkevičius and Ąžuolas Tubelis have rightly pointed out, this single victory is just one step in a long and arduous climb. The series deficit remains 1-2, and the real work lies ahead.

It was visible that everyone was locked in. Everyone was serious, no extra chichi chacha. We came, we worked today, we need to work on Friday too.

— Ąžuolas TubelisThe young star described the team's intense focus during the game and stressed the need to replicate it in future matches.

While Western media might focus on the dramatic comeback, here in Lithuania, we understand the deeper significance. This is not just about winning a game; it's about embodying the resilience and unwavering belief that characterizes our national sport. The players' calls for continued focus and intensity, even amidst the euphoria, reflect a mature understanding of the challenge. We must carry this momentum, this 'locked in' mentality, into Game 4 and fight for every possession, every point, until the very end. This is Žalgiris – we never give up.

We need to play like this again, play even better. I think we made mistakes, quite a few mistakes. The most important thing is that we need to play the first half better. To be honest, I have already forgotten this game, now we just need to play better on Friday.

— Sylvain FranciscoThe guard acknowledged the team's errors and highlighted the importance of improving their first-half performance in the next game.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.