#ZalgirisVirgin. Milaknis: “It was love at first sight” 0

Zalgiris continues building on the team’s award-winning #ZalgirisVirgin campaign, inviting all Zalgiris fans who have never been to a game in Zalgirio Arena to visit and support the team in person.

Zalgiris veteran Arturas Milaknis turned back the pages and remembered his first meeting with the boiling atmosphere in the legendary home of Zalgiris, the Kaunas Sports Hall. The sharpshooter grew up in Kaunas and visited his first game back in primary school.

“It’s difficult to remember, but I think it was some 25 years ago, really. My whole family was sportive, and dad brought me to the Sports Hall. I can’t even remember who Zalgiris was playing against. But I do remember the feeling, seeing it for the first time, up close, not on TV.”

The sniper admitted that that was the moment he fell in love with the game of basketball.

“It was love at first sight. I fell in love with the atmosphere, the game. And it just stuck to me. I guess you could say it was my first love.”

It wasn’t just a one-time thing, too. Inspired by the green-and-whites, the young Arturas headed off to basketball practices.

“I think after that first time, my first practices came in. With time as you begin to play, you might not have huge goals, but deep inside something locked in that I want to reach something in basketball.”

While Milaknis first tried on the Zalgiris jersey back in the 2006-2007 season, he was loaned out to other LKL teams for a while. However, as it just seemed that he wouldn’t be able to find his place on the team, in came Zalgiris’ offer.

“It all added up quickly, and as I was about to finish my career, I received an offer from Zalgiris. It was big for everyone. Me, and my family. Everyone was proud and believed in me.”

First-time visitors of Zalgirio Arena can purchase the #ZalgirisVirgin package, are invited to group meetings, where they can meet fans and experience everything Zalgirio Arena has to offer.