Riga welcomes the news of Smits decision to stay in Kaunas 0

While neighboring Latvia is still living in euphoria after winning the bronze medals in the World Ice Hockey Championship, Zalgiris accents have also caught the eyes of basketball fans in that country.

In Riga, the capital of Latvia, various advertising spaces, billboards and public transport stops carry the news that Rolands Smits, a member of Latvian national basketball team, will continue to play for Zalgiris Kaunas.

Last week, Zalgiris extended the contract with Smits until the end of the 2025-2026 season. However, the contract includes an option for the player to leave after each season, except for this summer.

The advertising space, along with Smits image, also includes an invitation to come to Kaunas and support Zalgiris.

The fans from neighboring country have been doing this successfully for a number of years, and their support has grown even more since Smits donned the green and white jersey.

Latvian basketball fans are especially attracted to the EuroLeague games at Zalgirio Arena.

Zalgiris’ partners in Latvia interviewed people they met in Riga and asked their opinion about Smits and his decision to stay in Kaunas

“Zalgiris is a well-known name in Latvia, so it’s great to see our athletes playing there. I hope Rolands is doing well,” said Edgars.

“The media is always writing about the achievements of our athletes abroad, so basketball fans in Latvia know who Smits is and where he plays. I myself have been to EuroLeague games at Zalgirio Arena and I know how great the atmosphere is in Kaunas,” said another fan Raimonds.

Kaunas residents and guests will be able to watch Smits live tonight at Zalgirio Arena, when the Betsafe-LKL Final Series kick off at 18:30.