Krapikas remains the head coach of Zalgiris Kaunas 0

Gintaras Krapikas will remain a head coach of Zalgiris . Last season he led the team towards the win of Lithuanian League‘s champions title and renewed a one year deal for the upcoming season.

Has found common language between players

Last season Krapikas started off as an assistant coach, but when Zalgiris lost the final four of Lithuanian Federation Cup in April and was on the losing streak in a national championship, he became the head coach of the team.

“In the end of the season Krapikas did a great job when the team was in a very bad situation. He proved that he can be the head coach of the team. Even though we started the playoffs from the 4th place, we won semi-finals and finals. Next season Zalgiris will retain the majority of the players that played last season, therefore it will be easier for the club and for the coach to work together“ – said the general manager Paulius Motiejunas

The coach is grateful for club’s confidence in him.

Krapikas is with Zalgiris for more than 18 years. In 1980 he started his career as a player and twenty years later he started working as an assistant coach.

“First of all I would like to thank the club management for the confidence that they had in me. I did not want to get this offer just because we won the Lithuanian finals. I wanted the club to think for a while if they can trust me for the next season. I‘m satisfied with this offer and will happily agree to accept it“ – said Krapikas.

One of the first tasks for the coach will be choosing his assistants.

“We will discuss if we need new ones or the ones we had last season“ – said Krapikas, who celebrated his his 53 birthday few days ago.

Working with National Team will not impede

Krapikas had a couple of weeks to rest and at the moment he is in Palanga where Lithuania‘s National team is preparing for the FIBA World Cup. He will be one of the assistants of a head coach Jonas Kazlauskas.

“I had loads of time to rest and now this preparation stage for the coaches will get us back on the track. During the first few weeks of training I think I will manage to find time for Zalgiris, too“ – said the coach of the National and Zalgiris teams.

First practices for Zalgiris players will begin in the middle of August.