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Jul 3, 2007, 3:43 pm
[center]![[Image: zalgirislogoyk9.jpg]](http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6315/zalgirislogoyk9.jpg)
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Official website - [url="http://http"]www.zalgiris.lt[/url]
History
In 1944 best basketball players from Kaunas united into one team which was named "Žalgiris" shortly after that. From the beginning "Žalgiris" starts fighting for the first places in the Soviet Union's championship. Just three years later "Žalgiris" climbs on top of all teams and wins the first championship in 1947. Till 1990 "Žalgiris" have won gold medals five times (1947, 1951, 1985-1987), silver medals - seven times (1949, 1952, 1980, 1983-1984, 1988-1989) and bronze medals - six times (1953-1956, 1973 and 1978).
From 1944 many great basketball stars played for "Žalgiris" - S.Butautas, V.Kulakauskas, J.Lagunavicius, K.Petkevicius, V.Sercevicius, S.Stonkus, A.Linkevicius, M.Paulauskas, V.Chomicius, A.Sabonis, R.Kurtinaitis, S.Jovaisa, G.Einikis, A.Visockas and others.
In 1981 new chapter begins in the team's history - for the first time "Žalgiris" participates in European Cups Winners Cup and reaches quarter-finals.
More successful was another try to enter European basketball elite - in 1985 "Žalgiris" comes all the way to the final and loses the decisive game to "Barcelona".
Next year was probably the best ever. This time "Žalgiris" fights through the best European Clubs Champions and makes to the Finals. After stubborn fight Kaunas team loses the game to "Cibona". But revenge was yet to come - "Žalgiris" reckoned to "Cibona" in great fashion by beating them in Intercontinental W.Jones Cup, an unofficial world clubs championship. The beautiful W.Jones Cup was brought to Kaunas. This victory makes "Žalgiris" famous all over the world.
In the beggining of 80's "Žalgiris" threw a challenge to "champion forever" - Moscow CSKA. Three times in a row (1985-1987) "Žalgiris" takes the gold medals of the Soviet Union ending the CSKA dynasty.
Team's stars became the leaders in the Soviet Union National Team. A.Sabonis, V.Chomicius and R.Kurtinaitis won World Championship's silver in 1986 and Olympic gold in 1988 Seoul.
In 1989 European Cup Winners Cup "Žalgiris" reached semifinals. After that season the brightest stars - A.Sabonis, S.Jovaisa, G.Krapikas, V.Chomicius, A.Visockas, A.Brazys - left to clubs in Europe and young players had to step up to fill the hole.
In 1990 Lithuania declares its Independence from the USSR and "Žalgiris" leaves the Soviet Union championship. In Lithuania Kaunas club wins three championships without big efforts. It is obvious that to become a good team "Žalgiris" needs stronger competition.
In 1992 "Žalgiris" beat clubs from Russia, Estonia, Ukraine and Byelorussia and took "Profbasket Cup". Three members (G.Einikis, A.Visockas and R.Brazdauskis) were in the Lithuanian National Team which won bronze medals in the Summer Olympic Games '92 in Barcelona.
1993 was the year when 10 best Lithuanian basketball clubs established the first professional league in the country - LKL. In 1993-98 seasons "Žalgiris" won all five LKL championship titles.
In 1997/98 season "Žalgiris" not only continued to dominate in Lithuania, but also granted a spot in the EuroLeague among the best European basketball clubs. The goal - EuroLeague - is achieved. In 1998 "Žalgiris" wrote in the history of Lithuanian basketball in golden letters: "Žalgiris" is the winner of the EuroCup.
1998/99 debutants of the Euroleague - "Žalgiris" - have made a good showing in I preliminary round. "Žalgiris" won 8 victories and headed its group. "Žalgiris" playing in EuroLeague II preliminary round is successful too. Its 11th victory secured them the first place in group, which guaranteed the home court advantage in EuroLeague play-off matches. All play-off matches were won easily enough. And the incredible success in Final Four - we became the winners of the EuroLeague!
Žalgiris team won Euroleague champions title and both LKL and NEBL championships.
Žalgiris became LKL champions 8 times in 10 championships that were held (1994-1999, 2001, 2003, 2004).
Now it may be said with confidence that "Žalgiris" has firmly entered into the list of the best European teams and is going to head it for a long time
Titles
Euroleague - 1999
Saporta Cup - 1998
Baltic League - 2005
NEBL - 1999
Lithuanian Basketball League - 1949-50, 1951-52, 1952-53, 1953-54, 1954-55, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2006-07
Lithuanian Federation Cup - 2007
Soviet Union National League - 1946-47, 1950-51, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87
International Cup - 1986
Home arena
Kaunas Sports Hall
2007/2008 competitions
LKL, BBL, Euroleague
Squad
![[Image: zalom5.png]](http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/166/zalom5.png)
Staff
Head coach - Rimantas Grigas (Lithuania)
Assistant coach - Darius Maskoliunas (Lithuania)
[/center]Official website - [url="http://http"]www.zalgiris.lt[/url]
History
In 1944 best basketball players from Kaunas united into one team which was named "Žalgiris" shortly after that. From the beginning "Žalgiris" starts fighting for the first places in the Soviet Union's championship. Just three years later "Žalgiris" climbs on top of all teams and wins the first championship in 1947. Till 1990 "Žalgiris" have won gold medals five times (1947, 1951, 1985-1987), silver medals - seven times (1949, 1952, 1980, 1983-1984, 1988-1989) and bronze medals - six times (1953-1956, 1973 and 1978).
From 1944 many great basketball stars played for "Žalgiris" - S.Butautas, V.Kulakauskas, J.Lagunavicius, K.Petkevicius, V.Sercevicius, S.Stonkus, A.Linkevicius, M.Paulauskas, V.Chomicius, A.Sabonis, R.Kurtinaitis, S.Jovaisa, G.Einikis, A.Visockas and others.
In 1981 new chapter begins in the team's history - for the first time "Žalgiris" participates in European Cups Winners Cup and reaches quarter-finals.
More successful was another try to enter European basketball elite - in 1985 "Žalgiris" comes all the way to the final and loses the decisive game to "Barcelona".
Next year was probably the best ever. This time "Žalgiris" fights through the best European Clubs Champions and makes to the Finals. After stubborn fight Kaunas team loses the game to "Cibona". But revenge was yet to come - "Žalgiris" reckoned to "Cibona" in great fashion by beating them in Intercontinental W.Jones Cup, an unofficial world clubs championship. The beautiful W.Jones Cup was brought to Kaunas. This victory makes "Žalgiris" famous all over the world.
In the beggining of 80's "Žalgiris" threw a challenge to "champion forever" - Moscow CSKA. Three times in a row (1985-1987) "Žalgiris" takes the gold medals of the Soviet Union ending the CSKA dynasty.
Team's stars became the leaders in the Soviet Union National Team. A.Sabonis, V.Chomicius and R.Kurtinaitis won World Championship's silver in 1986 and Olympic gold in 1988 Seoul.
In 1989 European Cup Winners Cup "Žalgiris" reached semifinals. After that season the brightest stars - A.Sabonis, S.Jovaisa, G.Krapikas, V.Chomicius, A.Visockas, A.Brazys - left to clubs in Europe and young players had to step up to fill the hole.
In 1990 Lithuania declares its Independence from the USSR and "Žalgiris" leaves the Soviet Union championship. In Lithuania Kaunas club wins three championships without big efforts. It is obvious that to become a good team "Žalgiris" needs stronger competition.
In 1992 "Žalgiris" beat clubs from Russia, Estonia, Ukraine and Byelorussia and took "Profbasket Cup". Three members (G.Einikis, A.Visockas and R.Brazdauskis) were in the Lithuanian National Team which won bronze medals in the Summer Olympic Games '92 in Barcelona.
1993 was the year when 10 best Lithuanian basketball clubs established the first professional league in the country - LKL. In 1993-98 seasons "Žalgiris" won all five LKL championship titles.
In 1997/98 season "Žalgiris" not only continued to dominate in Lithuania, but also granted a spot in the EuroLeague among the best European basketball clubs. The goal - EuroLeague - is achieved. In 1998 "Žalgiris" wrote in the history of Lithuanian basketball in golden letters: "Žalgiris" is the winner of the EuroCup.
1998/99 debutants of the Euroleague - "Žalgiris" - have made a good showing in I preliminary round. "Žalgiris" won 8 victories and headed its group. "Žalgiris" playing in EuroLeague II preliminary round is successful too. Its 11th victory secured them the first place in group, which guaranteed the home court advantage in EuroLeague play-off matches. All play-off matches were won easily enough. And the incredible success in Final Four - we became the winners of the EuroLeague!
Žalgiris team won Euroleague champions title and both LKL and NEBL championships.
Žalgiris became LKL champions 8 times in 10 championships that were held (1994-1999, 2001, 2003, 2004).
Now it may be said with confidence that "Žalgiris" has firmly entered into the list of the best European teams and is going to head it for a long time
Titles
Euroleague - 1999
Saporta Cup - 1998
Baltic League - 2005
NEBL - 1999
Lithuanian Basketball League - 1949-50, 1951-52, 1952-53, 1953-54, 1954-55, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2006-07
Lithuanian Federation Cup - 2007
Soviet Union National League - 1946-47, 1950-51, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87
International Cup - 1986
Home arena
Kaunas Sports Hall
2007/2008 competitions
LKL, BBL, Euroleague
Squad
Staff
Head coach - Rimantas Grigas (Lithuania)
Assistant coach - Darius Maskoliunas (Lithuania)
![[Image: 1698_2.jpg]](http://www.solobasket.com/fotos/1698_2.jpg)
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