Zalgiris leaves no hope for Valmiera 0

Author: BBL Media Service In the first quarter it was even game but then Zalgiris showed an impressive second quarter and gained a lead which was never given up until the end of the game. The final result was 40:74 (14:16, 8:24, 9:16, 9:18) in the favour of team Zalgiris.

The game in the first quarter was even and both teams played a good defensive basketball. After five minutes of play it was 5:6 Zalgiris leading the game. When there was just two minutes left to play in this quarter the result was 8:8. Only in the last final two minutes of this quarter both teams showed a scoring marathon and finished this quarter 14:16 Zalgiris still being ahead.

Andzejevskis and Amolins were able to gain a lead for Valmiera in the second quarter 18:16. But then Zalgiris made a huge run of 0:16. This was really a team effort as many players were able to score during this moment. The result was 18:32 already Zalgiris ahead. Further on both teams exchanged successful shots and first half of the game ended up with the result 22:40 the hosts Valmiera losing.

After the big break Valmiera was able to keep the difference constant for the first five minutes as the result was 29:49. However in the last minutes of this quarter Zalgiris controlled the game and gradually managed to increase their lead finishing it with a result 31:56.

The final quarter of the game was a chance for the young players and those who usually do not get a big playing time. The beginning of the quarter again was equal but the final minutes were totally dominated by Zalgiris. When there was still three minutes left the result was 40:67. But then Zalgiris outscored Valmiera 0:7 and set the final result of the game 40:74.

Valmiera: Amolins 10, Cresnar 10, Valeika 6, Virsis 5, Andzejevskis 5, Strupovics 3, Kaufmanis 1.

Zalgiris: Begic 11, Pocius 9, Butkevicius 9, Juskevicius 8, Klimavicius 8, Janavicius 6, Cukinas 6, Vene 5, Salenga 5, Kalnietis 4, Milaknis 3, Vasiliauskas 0.