Jasikevicius: “A Zalgiris game has always been a huge event for me” 0

As the season kicks on, Zalgiris continues it’s #ZALGIRISVIRGIN campaign, seeking to encourage basketball fans to lose their Zalgiris virginity and have their first in-person experience at Zalgirio Arena.

Zalgiris head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius had a smile on his face, reminiscing on his first hands-on experiences with professional basketball, watching the games live with his father at the Kaunas Sports Hall.

“Honestly, I don’t quite remember my very first Zalgiris game – I must’ve been four or five years old, but I would always go to the games with my dad. My most vivid memories were of the battles against CSKA – it was close to impossible to get tickets to the games, and there was not a single empty seat. I would just sit on my dad’s lap.”

Always very vocal by the courtside, as he tries to fire up his team, Jasikevicius wouldn’t hold back rooting for his hometown team as a kid either, as he fully immersed into the emotion of the sports hall. Jasikevicius recalls that his dad wouldn’t always succeed to calm down the fiery kid he was.

“Back then, during soviet rule, it was impolite to jump around, or show your emotions in any similar way. I’ve been emotional ever since I was a little kid and as far as I can remember, my dad would struggle to keep me from squirming. There weren’t many tickets available, so parents would have their kids sitting on their laps. If one started moving around, it’d make it more difficult for everyone.”

What Jasikevicius seems to have ingrained in his memory is the magnitude of the hall and the loudness of the arena packed to the brim with basketball fans.

“Back then the Kaunas Sports Hall seemed so big. The atmosphere was just electrifying, just so loud. We loved basketball, we’d follow all our favorite basketball players. I just remember the entirety of the game. It was nothing but the best of memories and every Zalgiris game I could go to would always be a big event for me.”

Throughout the season, Lithuanian celebrities, fans and the players themselves will be sharing their Zalgiris virginity stories. Fans, enjoying their very first Zalgirio Arena experience will have the opportunity to purchase their #ZALGIRISVIRGIN package, will be invited to get-togethers where they will meet like-minded fans, get to know the never-before-visited Zalgirio Arena and try out the entertainment to be offered during the games.