2024-04-11 22:34:14
In the last match of the 2023/24 EuroLeague season, Andrea Trinchieri’s students lost 62:64 (9:16, 16:15, 17:13, 20:20) to defending champions Real in front of their own spectators.
Last season, the “Real” club triumphed in the final four held at the “Žalgiris” arena. In the final, the Madrid team defeated the Piraeus Olympiakos team.
The Žalgiris team started the last, inconclusive match very poorly. In the first 10 minutes, Kaunas scored only 9 points and had a deficit of 7 points.
True, from the first half, A. Trinchieri allowed both Dovyd Butka and Daniel Lavrinovićis to appear.
Free throws were made by Keenan Evans, L. Birutis and Brady Manek scored two points each, and D. Giedraitis made a long shot – 18:25. K. Evans added four more points, and Rolandas Šmitas nailed a three-pointer – 25:31.
K. Evans scored five points in a row after the break, and D. Giedraitis scored a two-point shot – 32:37. Edmond Sumneris played a six-point segment, and Lukas Lekavičius and L. Birutis scored two points – 42:44.
B.Maneks hit four three-pointers in the decisive quarter, and E.Sumner added two points – 56:57. K.Evans also nailed a three-pointer, which tied the score at 59:59.
At the same time, Dzhanan Musa answered and finally, very unexpectedly, the last combination of “Zalgiris” was entrusted to Kevarrius Hayes. The tall man nailed a three-pointer with 8 seconds left to tie the game.
In the remaining time, Sergio Llull didn’t lose the ball, but the veteran managed to save it and made an awkward pass to Gabriel Deck. However, the Argentinian, who grabbed the ball, managed to hit a long two-pointer with 0.3 seconds left in the game and give the victory to his team.
“Zalgiris”: Keenan Evans 14, Brady Manek 14, Dovydas Giedraitis 10.
Real: Gianan Musa 17, Mario Hezonja 16, Walter Tavares 8.
Kaunas have 14 victories and took 14th place.
Real won as many as 27 matches and took first place.
The first match between them this season ended with a 93-79 victory for Real.
“This is the last Euroleague match for us and I only want the best for my players, fans and the Zalgiris organization. We will be playing against the best team in Europe, the champions, and I would like a good atmosphere and return all the love we received from our fans.
I want my players to feel the same way they felt before in the match – total support, no questions asked. That’s how I see this upcoming match and I hope it will be like that”, said Kaunas strategist A. Trinchieri about Thursday’s confrontation.
2024-04-11 22:34:14