One week after being appointed head coach, Aleksandar Trifunović brought his first player to Lietuvos Rytas. Following the injury of guard Jerry Johnson, Khalid El-Amin was chosen to strengthen the backcourt of the Lithuanian champions until the end of the season with an expected salary of 190 thousand euros. By joining Rytas, El-Amin will have his first experience ever in the Euroleague. A former Chicago Bulls player, the 31-year-old American went to Europe in 2001 to play for Strasbourg. Later he moved to Ramat Gan, Beşiktaş, Azovmash Mariupol, Türk Telekom Ankara and Budivelnyk, where he averaged 20.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 35 Ukrainian Superleague games last season.
Aleksandar Trifunović is back to a club he knows well. Following the dismissal of Dražen Anzulović, Lietuvos Rytas decided to hire the Serbian as their new head coach. The 43-year-old comes back in similar situation as when he was appointed in 2006, after the premature departure of Zmago Sagadin. That time he spent two seasons with the reigning Lithuanian champions and led them to the Baltic Basketball League title and a Eurocup (ULEB Cup back then) final appearence. Trifunović's previous club was Crvena Zvezda, where he started his coaching career in 2002. Previously he was also at the helm of Panionios and Spartak St. Petersburg. Along with Trifunović, Rytas also decided to hire former Žalgiris coach Darius Maskoliūnas as an assistant.
Four months after hiring Dražen Anzulović, the board of Lietuvos Rytas sacked the head coach. The reason behind the decision are the poor results in pre-season games and the heavy loss to CSKA Moscow (80-61) in the first round of the VTB League. The 43-year-old had signed a one-year deal with an option for extension for another one. Latvian Roberts Štelmahers, who was serving as an assistant, will lead the reigning Lithuanian champions until a new coach is appointed. A coach since 2001, Anzulović was previously at the helm of KK Zagreb, Cibona, Ural Great, Charleroi and Donetsk.
Despite claiming the Lithuanian championship just some days ago and also the LKF Cup, Rimas Kurtinaitis' days in Lietuvos Rytas are counted. The Vilnius team decided to hire Croatian Dražen Anzulović as their new head coach for the next season, while another one is optional. Kurtinaitis' dismissal is linked with disagreements with general manager Jonas Vainauskas regarding player choices and the way team played this season. Anzulović started his coaching career in 2001 with KK Zagreb, moving then Cibona where he stayed four seasons. In 2007, the 43-year-old moved abroad to Russia to guide Ural Great, later Belgium (Charleroi) and finally Ukraine, where he stayed just a couple of months, as Donetsk struggled with financial problems.
(Apesar de ter vencido o campeonato lituano apenas há alguns dias, bem como a Taça da LKF, Rimas Kurtinaitis tem os dias contados no Lietuvos Rytas. A equipa de Vilnius decidiu contratar o croata Dražen Anzulović como novo treinador para a próxima época, com outra de opção. A dispensa de Kurtinaitis prende-se com desentendimentos com o director-geral, Jonas Vainauskas, no que toca à escolha de jogadores e ao estilo de jogo da equipa este temporada. Anzulović iniciou a carreira de técnico em 2001 com o KK Zagreb, transferindo-se, posteriormente, para o Cibona, onde permaneceu durante quatro épocas. Em 2007, o treinador de 43 anos rumou ao estrangeiro e à Rússia para orientar o Ural Great, mais tarde à Bélgica (Charleroi) e, finalmente, à Ucrânia, onde permaneceu apenas dois meses na sequência de problemas financeiros que afectaram o Donetsk.)
Lietuvos Rytas needed seven games to claim their second LKL championship title in a row before coachless rivals Žalgiris Kaunas. The Vilnius team won the decisive game 80 to 71 yesterday, leading by one point (35-34) at halftime, and added to their previous four titles. Serbian Milko Bjelica led the winners with 24 points and six rebounds, followed by Martynas Gecevičius (finals MVP) and Kenan Bajramović (five boards) with 15 apice. For the runner-up, the best scorer was Aleksandar Ćapin with 15 points, while Mantas Kalnietis added less two and six rebounds and Travis Watson narrowly missed a doube-double with eight points and nine rebounds.
(O Lietuvos Rytas necessitou de sete jogos para conquistar o segundo título consecutivo da LKL diante do rival Žalgiris Kaunas, sem treinador. A equipa de Vilnius venceu, ontem, o encontro decisivo por 80-71 (comandava ao intervalo por um ponto (35-34)) e acrescentou mais um título aos quatro anteriores. O sérvio Milko Bjelica liderou os vencedores com 24 pontos e seis ressaltos, seguido de Martynas Gecevičius (MVP das finais) e Kenan Bajramović (cinco ressaltos) com 15 cada. Do lado do Žalgiris, o melhor marcador foi Aleksandar Ćapin com 15 pontos, enquanto que Mantas Kalnietis acrescentou menos dois e seis ressaltos e Travis Watson quase obteve um duplo-duplo com oito pontos e nove ressaltos.)
Olympiacos put an end to an eight-year Cup drought yesterday. The Reds beat rivals and current Greek champions Panathinaikos 68 to 64, ending the Greens dominance in the last five years. With this win Olympiacos claimed the eighth Cup in their history. Serbian forward Miloš Teodosić was the MVP of the game, leading the winners with 22 points, while Linas Kleiza added 12, eight rebounds and four steals. For Panathinaikos, the best scorers were Nikola Peković and Dmitris Diamantidis with 12 points apiece, with Mike Batiste netting 10 and grabbing 10 boards. In Lithuania, Lietuvos Rytas retained the LKF Cup title by beating also rivals Žalgiris 77-65. Milko Bjelica (seven rebounds) and Martynas Gecevičius paced the champions with 18 points each, followed by Kenan Bajramović and Artūras Jomantas (five rebounds) with 14 apiece. For the runner-up, Tadas Klimavičius was the best on court with a double-double (21 points and 16 boards), while Martynas Pocius and Marcus Brown (five rebounds) added 15 and 12 points, respectively.
(O Olympiacos pôs, ontem, termo a um jejum de oito anos no que à Taça diz respeito. Os "vermelhos" bateram o rival e campeão grego Panathinaikos por 68-64, pondo também fim a um domínio de cinco anos por parte dos "verdes". Com esta vitória, o Olympiacos reclamou a oitava Taça da sua história. O extremo sérvio Miloš Teodosić foi o MVP do encontro, liderando o vencedor com 22 pontos, enquanto que Linas Kleiza acrescentou 12, oito ressaltos e quatro roubos de bola. Do lado do Panathinaikos, os melhores marcadores foram Nikola Peković e Dmitris Diamantidis com 12 pontos cada, com Mike Batiste a encestar 10 e a capturar outros tantos ressaltos. Na Lituânia, o Lietuvos Rytas conservou o título da Taça da LKF, ao vencer o também rival Žalgiris por 77-65. Milko Bjelica (sete ressaltos) e Martynas Gecevičius comandaram o campeão com 18 pontos cada, seguidos de Kenan Bajramović e Artūras Jomantas (cinco ressaltos) com 14 para cada lado. Relativamente ao Žalgiris, Tadas Klimavičius foi o melhor em campo com um duplo-duplo (21 pontos e 16 ressaltos), ao passo que Martynas Pocius e Marcus Brown (cinco ressaltos) acrescentaram 15 e 12 pontos, respectivamente.)
The Lithuanian champion is ready to ink New Zealand born Australian Aron Baynes for the next two seasons. The Washington State Cougars 2.07m centre will start his professional career in Lithuania with Lietuvos Rytas after spending four seasons with the NCAA. Named for the Australia preliminary squad to play friendlies and the Oceania Championship this year, the 22-year-old averaged 12.7 points and 7.5 rebounds in 33 games for the Cougars, while shooting a solid 58% from the field. Baynes will become just the second Australian to play in LKL, after Matt Nielsen also played for Rytas from 2006 to the beginning of this season.
(O campeão lituano está na iminência de contratar o australiano (nascido na Nova Zelândia) Aron Baynes para as próximas duas épocas. O poste de 2,07 m dos Washington State Cougars iniciará a sua carreira profissional na Lituânia pela mão do Lietuvos Rytas, após ter estado durante quatro épocas na NCAA. Inscrito na selecção autraliana provisória para a disputa de amigáveis e do Campeonato da Oceânia deste ano, o jogador de 22 anos consegui médias de 12,7 pontos e 7,5 ressaltos em 33 jogos pelos Cougars, convertendo de forma consistente 58% dos lançamentos de campo. Baynes irá tornar-se apenas o segundo australiano a jogar na LKL, depois de Matt Nielsen ter alinhado também pelo Rytas de 2006 até ao início da presente temporada.)
For the fourth time in their history, Lietuvos Rytas lifted the LKL champion trophy. The Vilnius team beat yesterday archrivals Žalgiris 70-82 in the fifth game of the playoff finals, winning the series 4 to 1. Centre Marijonas Petravičius led the winners with 17 points and 7 rebounds, followed by Donatas Zavackas with 15 and 7 and Chuck Eidson with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. The runner-up's best scorer (and topscorer of the game) was Dainius Šalenga with 23 points (adding 6 rebounds), while teammates Paulius Jankūnas and Jonas Mačiulis had 15 and 14 points, respectively. With this win, Rytas and coach Rimas Kurtinaitis won all competitions (a total of five) in which they were included this season.
(Pela quarta vez na sua história, o Lietuvos Rytas arrecadou o troféu de campeão da LKL. A equipa de Vilnius bateu, ontem, o rival Žalgiris por 70-82 no quinto jogo das finais dos "playoffs", vencendo a série por 4-1. O poste Marijonas Petravičius comandou os vencedores com 17 pontos e 7 ressaltos, seguido de Donatas Zavackas com 15 e 7 e Chuck Eidson com 14 pontos, 6 ressaltos, 5 assistência e 3 roubos de bola. Do lado dos vice-campeões, o melhor marcador (também do encontro) foi Dainius Šalenga com 23 pontos (acrescentando 6 ressaltos), ao passo que os companheiros de equipa Paulius Jankūnas e Jonas Mačiulis obtiveram 15 e 14 pontos, respectivamente. Com esta vitória, o Rytas e o treinador Rimas Kurtinaitis venceram todas as competições (num total de cinco) nas quais jogaram esta temporada.)
Lietuvos Rytas made history yesterday in LKL playoff finals. The Vilnius team smashed rivals Žalgiris Kaunas 100-58, establishing the biggest point difference in the history of the Lithuanian league finals. The game was only balanced in the first period (20-22), since at halftime Rytas was already winning by 21 points (52-31). Žalgiris was poor in offense, scoring just 27.3% from beyond the arc, 42.9% from the field and making 28 turnovers, in contrast to 45.5%, 58.5% and 14 for the winners. Artūras Jomantas led Rytas with 16 points, followed by Chuck Eidson with less one and 6 steals. For the other side, the best players on court were Dainius Šalenga and Jonas Mačiulis with 12 and 11 points, respectively. With this win, Rytas leads the series 2-0 after winning the first game 84-94, as the team seeks to get their fourth title of the season. The previous record was precisely held by Žalgiris which defeated Olimpas Plungės 101-76 in the 1997 finals.
(O Lietuvos Rytas fez ontem história nas finais dos "playoffs" da LKL. A equipa de Vilnius esmagou o rival Žalgiris Kaunas por 100-58, estabelecendo a maior diferença de pontos na história das finais da liga lituana. O jogo foi apenas equilibrado no primeiro período (20-22), uma vez que ao intervalo o Rytas já ganhava com uma vantagem de 21 pontos (52-31). O ataque do Žalgiris foi fraco, registando 27,3% em triplos, 42,9% de lançamentos de campo e 28 "turnovers", em contraste com 45,5%, 58,5% e 14 para os vencedores. Artūras Jomantas liderou o Rytas com 16 pontos, seguido de Chuck Eidson com menos um e 6 roubos de bola. Do outro lado, os melhores jogadores foram Dainius Šalenga e Jonas Mačiulis com 12 e 11 pontos, respectivamente. Com esta vitória, o Rytas lidera a série por 2-0, após a vitória no primeiro jogo por 84-94, e procura a conquista do quarto título esta época. O recorde anterior pertencia, precisamente, ao Žalgiris, quando em 1997 derrotou o Olimpas Plungės por 101-76 nas finais.)
In an expected final match between Lithuanian giants, Lietuvos Rytas edged Žalgiris Kaunas 97 to 74 yesterday. Chuck Eidson, the MVP of the game, sparked the Vilnius team with a final record of 41 points, adding 8 rebounds and 8 assists, as the 23-point margin the biggest ever in a Baltic Basketball League final. Teammates Mindaugas Lukauskis and Marijonas Petravičius added 14 and 13 points, respectively. For the "Greens", the best scorer was Dainius Šalenga with 26 points, followed by Paulius Jankūnas with 11 and veteran Eurelijus Žukauskas with 10. In probably the best game of his career, Eidson shot an amazing 80% for two and three-pointers, with 5 of 6 from the free throw line. This is the third title of Rytas this season, after conquering the Eurocup title in the beginning of the month and the LKF Cup crown.
(Numa final esperada entre os dois colossos lituanos, o Lietuvos Rytas bateu, ontem, o Žalgiris Kaunas por 97-74. Chuck Eidson, o MVP do encontro, impulsionou a equipa de Vilnius com um recorde das finais de 41 pontos, acrescentando 8 ressaltos e 8 assistências, sendo a margem de 23 pontos a maior de sempre numa final da Liga de Basquetebol do Báltico. Os companheiros de equipa Mindaugas Lukauskis e Marijonas Petravičius adicionaram 14 e 13 pontos, respectivamente. Para os "verdes", o melhor marcador foi Dainius Šalenga com 26 pontos, seguido de Paulius Jankūnas com 11 e do veterano Eurelijus Žukauskas com 10. Talvez no melhor jogo a sua carreira, Eidson obteve uns impressionantes 80% nos lançamentos de dois e três pontos, com 5 em 6 da linha de lance livre. Tratou-se do terceiro título do Rytas esta época, depois da conquista da Eurocup no início do mês e do título da Taça da LKF.)
The new Eurocup champion Lietuvos Rytas re-signed Milko Bjelica. The Montenegrin will remain with the Lithuanian team for one more season, after arribing to the club last year. The 24 year-old forward played previously in Germany (Köln 99ers and Braunschweig) and Serbia (Crvena Zvezda). In LKL this season he averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal per game, while In Eurocup he managed 9.9 points and 4.6 rebounds over 14 games.
(O novo campeão da Eurocup, o Lietuvos Rytas, renovou contrato com Milko Bjelica. O montenegrino permanecerá na equipa lituana mais uma época, após ter chegado ao clube no ano passado. O extremo de 24 anos jogou anteriormente na Alemanha (Köln 99ers e Braunschweig) e na Sérvia (Crvena Zvezda). Na LKL está época, acumulou médias de 13 pontos, 4 ressaltos e 1 roubo de bola por jogo, obtendo 9,9 pontos e 4,6 ressaltos na Eurocup em 14 jogos.)
Eurocup's trophy is now in the hands of Lietuvos Rytas. The Lithuanian club defeated this afternoon Russian side Khimki 80-74, claiming their second trophy of the season and in the competition. In fact, the Vilnius team became the first team to achieve two titles in Eurocup. The final game was even until the third and fourth periods when Rytas made a 17-0 run sealed with a 3-pointer by Steponas Babrauskas, who also hit another one later to consolidate the lead that would give his team the win. Marijonas Petravičius was the MVP of the final, leading the champions with 20 points and 7 rebounds, followed by Babrauskas with 18 and 5 and Chuck Eidson with 14 points. The runner-up's best scorer was Kelly McCarty with 20 points, while Carlos Delfino added 16 and Timofey Mozgov almost had a double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds. With this win Lietuvos Rytas will return to the Euroleague next season, as the Eurocup champion automatically gets a spot in Europe's top competition.
(O troféu da Eurocup está agora nas mãos do Lietuvos Rytas. O clube lituano derrotou, esta tarde, os russos do Khimki por 80-74, conquistando o segundo troféu da época e na competição. Na realidade, a equipa de Vilnius tornou-se a primeira a arrecadar dois títulos na Eurocup. O jogo final foi equilibrado até ao terceiro e quarto períodos, quando o Rytas conseguiu um parcial de 17-0 consolidado com um triplo de Steponas Babrauskas, que marcou ainda outro mais tarde para confirmar em definitivo a liderança que daria a vitória à sua equipa. Marijonas Petravičius foi o MVP da final, liderando os campeões com 20 pontos e 7 ressaltos, seguido de Babrauskas com 18 e 5 e Chuck Eidson com 14 pontos. O melhor marcador do vice-campeão foi Kelly McCarty com 20 pontos, ao passo que Carlos Delfino acrescentou 16 e Timofey Mozgov quase obteve um duplo-diplo com 11 pontos e 9 ressaltos. Com esta vitória, o Lietuvos Rytas regressa à Euroliga na próxima época, uma vez que o campeão da Eurocup obtém automaticamente um lugar na maior competição da Europa.)
The Lietuvos Rytas forward is the Eurocup's regular season MVP. In his third year with the team, Eidson led the Lithuanians to the competition's Final Eight by dominating in four categories: points, assists, steals and blocks. The 28-year-old American was also the only Eurocup player to make the Top 10 in points (15.8) rebounds (5.7) and assists (5.3), averaging 21.9 efficiency points in 12 games. His best game was in February against Artland Dragons, when Eidson scored 18 points, collected 7 rebounds, dished 8 assists, stole 3 balls and blocked one shot, helping the Vilnius team smash the Germans 105 to 64.
(O extremo do Lietuvos Rytas é o MVP da época regular da Eurocup. Na terceira época com a equipa, Eidson comandou os lituanos até à "Final Eight" da competição, dominando em quatro categorias: pontos, assistências, roubos de bola e desarmes de lançamento. O norte-americano de 28 anos foi também o único jogador da Eurocup a fazer parte dos primeiros dez em pontos (15,8), ressaltos (5,7) e assistências (5,3), obtendo uma média de 21,9 pontos de eficiência em 12 jogos. O seu melhor jogo foi disputado em Fevereiro contra o Artland Dragons, quando Eidson marcou 18 pontos, capturou 7 ressaltos, distribuiu 8 assistências, roubou 3 bolas e "abafou" 1 lançamento, ajudando a equipa de Vilnius a esmagar os alemães por 105-64.)
Lithuanian Antanas Sireika resigned from his post as coach of Lietuvos Rytas. Following two defeats against Gran Canaria and rivals Žalgiris at home for the Eurocup and LKL respectively, Sireika decided it was time to leave the club, after replacing Serbian Aleksandar Trifunović this year. Although Rytas' policy in the past few years has been of firing coaches very easily, apparently this time it was the coach who decided to leave. Assistante coach Robertas Kuncaitis will now lead the until a new coach is announced. The club is said to want another Lithuanian coach and names like former national team and Rytas coach Jonas Kazlauskas, Kęstutis Kemzūra (recently sacked by Russian side Khimki and also former Rytas coach) or Rimas Kurtinaitis (the probable choice) have already come up.
(O lituano Antanas Sireika abandonou o cargo de treinador do Lietuvos Rytas. Após duas derrotas contra o Gran Canaria e o rival Žalgiris em casa para a Eurocup e LKL respectivamente, Sireika decidiu que estava na altura de deixar o clube, após ter substituído este ano o sérvio Aleksandar Trifunović. Embora a política do Rytas nos últimos anos seja a de trocar muito facilmente de técnico, desta vez, aparentemente, foi o treinador que decidiu demitir-se. O auxiliar Robertas Kuncaitis ficará agora à frente do clube até à contratação de novo treinador. O clube pretende outro lituano e já surgiram nomes como os do antigo seleccionador nacional e ex-treinador do Rytas Jonas Kazlauskas, Kęstutis Kemzūra (recentemente despedido pelo russos do Khimki e também antigo treinador do clube) ou Rimas Kurtinaitis (a opção provável).)
One week after being appointed head coach, Aleksandar Trifunović brought his first player to Lietuvos Rytas. Following the injury of guard Jerry Johnson, Khalid El-Amin was chosen to strengthen the backcourt of the Lithuanian champions until the end of the season with an expected salary of 190 thousand euros. By joining Rytas, El-Amin will have his first experience ever in the Euroleague.
