The 18-year-olds of “Zalgiris” fell dramatically in the final of the youth Euroleague tournament in Dubai

“Zalgiris” youth lost 84:89 (19:11, 19:22, 18:23, 21:21, 7:12) against the German team and took second place in the youth Euroleague tournament in Dubai.

The young people from Žalgiris were not saved by the phenomenal performance of Mantas Juzēnas. In 38 minutes, the Kaunian scored 28 points (6/14 doubles, 5/10 triples, 1/3 penalty), rebounded 16 balls, made 4 assists and recorded a performance of 34 utility points.

It is true that Noa Essengue played a much better match in the Ulm team than M. Juzēnas. The leader of the German club scored 33 points in 40 minutes (9/14 doubles, 1/3 triples, 12/21 penalties), grabbed 18 rebounds, provoked 16 fouls and accumulated as many as 54 utility points.

These two players entered the symbolic five of the tournament, and N. Essengue was also recognized as the most valuable player (MVP) of the tournament. They were also joined by another young man from Zalgiris, Neds Raupelis.

2 minutes before the end of the match, Žalgiris trailed by one point (69:70), after which the Germans scored two more points (69:72), but Mantas Juzēnas’ accurate long shot through the opponent’s hands equalized the match result (72:72).

After that, V. Pliauga’s students defended themselves from the attack of the Ulm team and attacked themselves on the other side of the field, when Nedas Raupelis scored a two-pointer and restored the fragile advantage to Kaunas (74:72). 30 seconds before the end of the match, Mantas Laurenčikas broke through closer to the basket and increased the advantage of “Žalgiris” to 4 points (76:72).

In the next attack, the youth of “Ratiopharm” missed the penalties, but intercepted the ball and scored two easy points (76:74). The opponents tried to pressure the Žalgiris players, but they did not take the ball and M. Juzēnas stood at the free throw line, who hit one of two free throws and left a chance for the opponents to win overtime (77:74).

The darkest scenario took place during the Ulm attack. The Germans hit a three-pointer and tied the score of the match (77:77). During the last attack, M. Juzēnos’ three-pointer was not accurate and both teams went to overtime.

During the overtime, M. Juzēnas scored a three-pointer, N. Raupelis scored two points, and at the halfway point of extra time, V. Pliauga’s pupils led by three points (82:79). However, after that, the Ulm team responded with their own 0:4 spurt and took the lead again (82:83). In the next attack, N. Raupelis scored two points again, which allowed Kaunas to take the lead again (84:83). The Germans responded to N. Raupel’s points with a long shot and with 30 seconds left in overtime, the Ulm team had a 2-point lead (84:86).

In the end, the young players from Žalgiris did not return to the game and fell 84:89 against the Ulm basketball players.

In this tournament, the young Žalgiris players defeated Bologna’s “Virtus”, Valencia’s “Valencia Basket” and Dubai’s youth team.

True, at least two Lithuanians will definitely play in the grand final. The Barcelona team represented by Kaspars Jakučionis and Artūrs Butajev reached the grand final of the youth Euroleague.

“Zalgiris”: Mantas Juzēnas 28, Nedas Raupelis 18 (9/11 doubles, 0/3 points, 10 rebounds, 22 points), Dovydas Buika 15 (4/11 doubles, 1/9 triples, 4 /6 penalties, 4 rebounds, 5 errors), Mantas Laurenčikas 8 (3/6 doubles, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 assists, 3 errors).

Ratiopharm: Noa Essengue 33, Joel Cwik 20 (6/15 doubles, 2/3 triples, 2/2 penalties, 3 rebounds), Jervis Scheffs 12 (3/12 doubles, 1/1 triples, 3 /5 pts., 3 rpg, 3 abg), Jordan Mueller 10 (4/7 doubles, 0/2 trp, 2/3 pts, 6 abg, 3 abg) ., 3 rep. for.).