Three losses by 30 or more points in Euroleague this season brought changes to coaching staff of Zalgiris. Lithuanian champions decided to part ways with the head coach Gintaras Krapikas following a Euroleague Top 16 loss by 33 points away at Bamberg.

Prior to the aforementioned game Zalgiris was 8-0 against the German side with the latter having zero Top 16 wins in 21 appearances. Despite high aspirations before the season, the Greens were in declining form throughout the season so far suffering heavy losses away at Panathinaikos and Lokomotiv Kuban.

The Top 16 opener for Zalgiris was a disappointing home loss against Laboral Kutxa. Zalgiris is now 0-2 Euroleague Top 16 ‘group of death’ and are yet to face the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Olympiacos and CSKA Moscow.

The growing pressure on coach Krapikas, who has been criticized for a lack of creativity and inability to adapt to opponents’ game, eventually resulted in his dismissal.

Sarunas Jasikevicius was named the interim coach and will debut as a head coach in an official game tomorrow (Sunday) in Lithuania league against Vytautas. Saras has previously coached the team (without the members of respective national teams) during preseason games as Krapikas was with Lithuanian national team as an assistant of Jonas Kazlauskas.

While the season is still far from over, the Greens now need a miracle to reach the goal that was declared before the season – Euroleague Play-Offs.