Žalgiris players tried an unusual role: the newcomer's prank ended unexpectedly

Players from the Lithuanian basketball club Žalgiris recently stepped away from the court for an unusual training experience, spending time with the State Fire and Rescue Service. The team, including American player Saben Lee and Lithuanian Dovydas Giedraitis, engaged in a series of hands-on activities with the firefighters who regularly attend Žalgiris games.

During their visit, the players had the opportunity to try out various firefighting equipment and tasks. Saben Lee described the experience as fun, noting the significant weight of the firefighting gear, which he estimated at around 15 kilograms. He particularly enjoyed trying the fire hose, playfully dousing his teammates, who were surprised when the water was turned on.

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It was a fun experience. The firefighters' gear is really heavier than I thought, maybe around 15 kilograms. I'm very glad they let me try the hose – I was holding it pointed at my teammates, but I didn't expect them to actually turn on the water. A few guys got wet, but it was really fun.

Dovydas Giedraitis shared his experience with using special pliers to cut through a car's body, a task that demonstrated the tools' power and precision. The firefighters highlighted the collaborative nature of their work, drawing parallels to the teamwork required in basketball. Donatas Gurevičius, a representative of the State Fire and Rescue Service, explained the initiative's idea, emphasizing the shared team dynamic and the players' eagerness to try different equipment.

Gurevičius expressed his satisfaction with the event, observing the players' "enthusiasm and desire to try as much equipment as possible." The firefighters were particularly struck by how heavy the protective suits were, a detail that often goes unnoticed by the public. The event served as a unique bonding experience for both the players and the emergency responders, fostering mutual appreciation for their respective demanding professions.

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We are similar to basketball players in that we also work as a team. We each have our roles, so we thought we could have such a joint event, as we are always on duty at the arena during 'Žalgiris' games. We let the basketball players try on our clothes, and they were surprised by how much the firefighting gear weighs. We had a really great time with the 'Žalgiris' players, their enthusiasm and desire to try as much equipment as possible was evident.