By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A third straight loss for Zalgiris in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague created uncertainty about head coach Kazys Maksvytis. The reports involving the Lithuanian tactician and potentially being replaced by Andrea Trinchieri were squashed on Friday morning.
A few hours following the home loss to Partizan Mozzart Bet in Round 14 of EuroLeague’s Regular Season, Zalgiris shared a post on X to refute ‘a lot of rumors and speculations’ and instead endorse Maksvytis with the ‘full confidence’ of the team.
Sticking to the topic, the Kaunas outfit included plenty of rumors in the graphic of the official reaction.
There were a lot of rumors and speculations after yesterday’s game. We would like to assure you that head coach Kazys Maksvytis has the full confidence of the club and will continue to lead the team! 💚 pic.twitter.com/rc7lC8qasp
— BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) December 15, 2023
Down to 5-9 in the 2023-24 edition of Europe’s premier club continental competition, Zalgiris is two games away from the Play-In zone and is distanced three games from a direct ticket to the Playoffs. An 11-2 W-L tally in Lithuania’s Betsafe LKL is part of a three-way tie on top of the standings with Wolves and Rytas.
Maksvytis, 46, took over the head-coaching responsibilities before the 2022-23 season. Besides winning both the Betsafe LKL and Citadele KMT titles at the domestic level, he guided Zalgiris to a berth in the EuroLeague Playoffs behind a 19-5 run in the Regular Season. FC Barcelona swept his side in the ensuing best-of-five series.
In between the two campaigns at the club level, Maksvytis was in charge of the senior national team of Lithuania in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Finishing sixth overall secured a spot in next summer’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.