BC Lietkabelis

Early years

Basketball club Lietkabelis history begins in 1964. The club’s name was not changing for straight 32 years. The home-court games were played in Aukštaitija Sports Palace, which was opened in 1965. The construction of the palace was initiated by V. Variakojis. Most of the team‘s players contributed with their own hands in the palace's construction process. At that period, the team was represented by such sports masters, like: S. Atraškevičius, J. Balakauskas, A. Butkūnas, V. Juchnevičius, E. Kuodys, A. Matačiūnas, R. Petrauskas, R. Sargūnas, V. Stalilionis, J. Zičkus, E. Žurauskas, V. Variakojis and others. Until the establishment of the Lithuanian Basketball League in 1993, Lietkabelis was among the country’s strongest basketball teams. During these times, Panevėžys club, trained by R. Sargūnas and V. Paškauskas from 1964 to 1996, became Lithuania’s champions twice (1985, 1988), won third place three times (1983, 1984 and 1991) and qualified into the Lithuania’s Cup competition finals two times (1985, 1986). Other performances are as follows: 1964, 1965, 1968 and 1989 – 5th places, 1966 and 1969 – 6th places, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1986 and 1993 – 7th places, 1973 and 1977 – 11-12 places, 1975 – 11th place, 1976 – 9-10 places, 1979 – 9th place, 1981 – 8th place and 1982, 1987, 1990, 1992 – 4th places.^[4]

1978–1986: playing in USSR Division I

From 1978 to 1986, Lietkabelis represented Lithuania in USSR I division tournament (second-tier competition in the Soviet Union). In more than three decades, many notable basketball persons played for the Panevėžys’ team: Algimantas Baziukas, Algirdas Brazys, Raimundas Čivilis, V. Dambrauskas, A. Kairys, M. Karnišovas, Jonas Kazlauskas, Algirdas Kriščiūnas, Rimas Kurtinaitis, Vitoldas Masalskis, O. Moisejenka, Gintaras Leonavičius, Rolandas Penikas, Algimantas Pavilonis, A. Šidlauskas and others. Notable boarding sports school members, who later been a part of the Lithuania national basketball team, trained their skills in Lietkabelis. Such players are: Gintaras Einikis, Dainius Adomaitis, Alvydas Pazdrazdis, Romanas Brazdauskis, Gvidonas Markevičius and others. The team long-time was coached by V. Stankevičius, a Lietkabelis factory director. The factory was team’s main sponsor.^[4]

1993: Creating the Lithuanian Basketball League

Dainius Šalenga as a Lietkabelis member in 2015.

In 1993, basketball club Lietkabelis was one of the eight Lithuanian Basketball League founders. From 1996, after three decades, Lietkabelis factory left basketball world. The team’s names were changing constantly: Kalnapilis (1996-1999), Sema (1999-2000), Panevėžys (2000-2001 ir 2004-2007), Preventa-Malsena (2001-2003), Aukštaitija (2003-2004) and Techasas (2007-2012). From January 2012, club’s name was reverted to the legendary one – Lietkabelis. In 20 LKL seasons the team’s jersey was worn by such notable Lithuanian basketball players: Gintaras Bačianskas (19,7 points per game in LKL), Gintaras Kadžiulis, Kęstutis Kemzūra, Mindaugas Lukauskis, Paulius Staškūnas, Žydrūnas Urbonas and others.^[4] In 1999-2000 season, Panevėžys team (named Sema at that time) participated in international tournament – FIBA Korać Cup for the first time after the country’s independence. In 2004-2005 season and from 2007 to 2012, Panevėžys team participated in Baltic Basketball League’s second division (renamed to BBL Challenge Cup in 2007). They also played in the BBL Elite Division from 2005 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2014. During ten years in this league, the team achieved first place twice in the BBL Challenge Cup (in 2005 as Panevėžys and in 2012 as Lietkabelis), they also won bronze medals twice as well (in 2008 and 2011 as Techasas). They won the BBL Elite Division, they won the bronze medals in 2016. In the LKL, the highest the team achieved was the quarterfinals, though they did come close in 2007 to reaching the semifinals, losing a very tough series to BC Šiauliai 1:2. In 2016, they also had a tough series against BC Lietuvos rytas, fighting hard in a losing sweep, though only lost the two away games in Vilnius 74:79 and 78:83.^[4]

In October 2008, the brand-new Cido Arena was opened in Panevėžys, which has 5656 seats for the basketball spectators. It became new Panevėžys basketball team home-hourt, replacing the Aukštaitija Sports Palace after 43 years.^[4]

2015–present: participating in European competitions

On July 29, 2015, the club was invited to join the FIBA Europe Cup tournament, which is the alternative version of the 2nd tier European tournament EuroCup, organized by FIBA.^[5] Although, just before the drawning ceremony, it was announced that 56 teams would participate instead of 64 and Lietkabelis was not one of these.^[6]

On July 21, 2016, Lietkabelis was invited to play in the 2016–17 EuroCup season. The club previously registered again in the FIBA Europe Cup.^[7] Following it, the team signed notable veterans: Mindaugas Lukauskis, Kšyštof Lavrinovič and Darjuš Lavrinovič who formed the core of the team.^[8] The positive preseason resulted in record sales of over 700 season tickets just on the sales opening day.^[9] The LKL season began historically by defeating Žalgiris Kaunas 90–86 for the first time after 16 years.^[10] This season became the best one in club history - Lietkabelis had astonishing victories over Žalgiris, BC Lietuvos rytas and BC Neptūnas, the top teams in Lithuania. In the playoffs, Lietkabelis beat BC Vytautas in the quarterfinals 3:0, then shocked Lietuvos rytas 3:1 in the semifinals before losing to Žalgiris in the LKL finals 1:4.^[11] Lietkabelis also reached the 2017 King Mindaugas Cup finals, also losing to Žalgiris 63:84.^[12] During the season, and the playoffs, Lietkabelis broke many attendance records in Panevėžys.

The debut EuroCup season performance was not less pleasant for the club. On October 12, 2016, Donatas Tarolis buzzer-beater guaranteed Lietkabelis first 89–88 EuroCup victory in the history of the club against KK MZT Skopje.^[13] Lietkabelis continued their success in Zagreb, defeating the Croatian champions KK Cedevita 80–76. Another remarkable play was performed by Donatas Tarolis, whose put-back slam secured the victory with just 13 seconds remaining.^[14] On November 23, the record of attendance was achieved, with 4427 spectators during the second game versus Cedevita, though Lietkabelis lost a tough rematch 68:69.^[15] Lietkabelis qualified to the Eurocup Top16, with a 3-5 record in the group stage with another win against MZT Skopje, though lost both games to the top teams in the group - CB Gran Canaria and BC Nizhny Novgorod. Lietkabelis played in Group F against former tournament champion BC Khimki, and German giants Bayern Munich and ratiopharm Ulm. While Lietkabelis didn't manage to defeat Khimki and Bayern, they won both games against a powerful ratiopharm Ulm team, and finished the Eurocup Top16 phase with a respectable 2-4 record.^[16]

On June 13, 2017, it was announced that in the 2017-2018 season Lietkabelis for a second straight time will participate in the EuroCup competition.^[17] Consequently, the team successfully extended contracts with the Lavrinovič twins, signed former long-term Lithuania men's national basketball team member Simas Jasaitis and candidate of the national team Adas Juškevičius, who later played during the EuroBasket 2017.^[18][19][20] The team retained their respectable status by starting the 2017–18 LKL season with a perfect 8–0 record and the 2017–18 EuroCup season by defeating the Israeli League champions Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. 86–72.^[21][22] The struggles began for the team after the second game in the Eurocup - a crushing away defeat to Bayern Munich 57:93. After a loss at home to Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia 75:82, Lietkabelis rebounded with a surprising away win against Galatasaray Odeabank 78:73 and a win at home against KK Budućnost 86:79, after a strong performance by Adas Juškevičius, who scored 32 points and hit 9 three pointers, 7 of which came in the 1st quarter. After the first round of the Eurocup, Lietkabelis had a 3-2 record. The second round became a disaster - Lietkabelis lost an away game to Hapoel 81:93, followed by a loss to FC Bayern 87:88 at home. Head coach Artūrs Štālbergs was shockingly fired after a few upset losses in the LKL, replaced by assistant Vitaliy Cherniy. Lietkabelis shocked Grissin Bon with a 85:82 away win in Reggio Emilia after the changes, but that did not save the team. Tough losses to Galatasaray 77:84 at home, and 62:76 to KK Budućnost in Podgorica left Lietkabelis with a 4-6 record and a game out of the Top16 round, ending the competition in disappointment.

In the LKL, after a 8-0 start, which included dominating wins against Lietuvos rytas 97:81 at Vilnius and a home win over Neptūnas 88:76, Lietkabelis climbed to 1st place in the standings. The streak was snapped by Žalgiris in Kaunas, 90:92. After a shocking loss to BC Vytautas, the last place team in the LKL, coach Štālbergs was fired. Assistant coach Cherniy briefly took over, before Ramūnas Butautas took over as head coach. Point guards Gary Talton and Adas Juškevičius left the team, and were replaced by the talented Arnas Velička and Dominik Mavra. In the 2018 King Mindaugas Cup, Lietkabelis defeated BC Pieno žvaigždės 86:76 in the quarterfinals, qualifying to the Final Four. Facing Žalgiris in a previous year's finals rematch, Lietkabelis lost 74:88, and defeated BC Dzūkija in a hard fought game 81:78 to win 3rd place. What followed was a string of losses in the LKL, with Lietkabelis quickly falling out of contention for 1st place in the standings. Losses to Lietuvos rytas and Neptūnas meant the team finished only 4th in the regular season, a disappointing finish. In the playoffs, Lietkabelis defeated BC Šiauliai 3:1 in the quarterfinals, thanks to veteran leadership and a great series by team leader Žanis Peiners. In the semifinals, Lietkabelis faced Žalgiris - by this point, Lietkabelis was no match against the LKL champions and one of the best teams in the Euroleague, and lost the series in a disappointing 0:3 fashion. In the 3rd place series, Lietkabelis faced BC Neptūnas, coached by Kazys Maksvytis, who a season before coached Lietkabelis to the Eurocup Top16, and the finals of both LKL and KMT. After winning the first game in Klaipėda, 83:69, Lietkabelis lost at home 69:71. Donatas Tarolis had the best game of his career, finishing with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds. Neptūnas went on to win the next two games, 79:71 at home and a second 89:78 win in Panevėžys. Lietkabelis suffered a fiasco, losing the series 1:3, and finishing in 4th place.

The finish in the LKL prevented Lietkabelis from playing in the Eurocup. The team then moved to FIBA, to the Basketball Champions League. Initially, Lietkabelis was supposed play in the qualifying round, but after one of the teams, Eskişehir, announced withdrew from the competition, Lietkabelis earned a place in the 2018–19 Basketball Champions League regular season, joining group C along with defending champion AEK Athens, Antwerp Giants, ČEZ Nymburk, Montakit Fuenlabrada, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, JDA Dijon and last year's Euroleague participant Brose Bamberg.

Current roster

BC Lietkabelis roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age SG 7001110000000000000♠11 Ežerskis, Ernestas 7000193000000000000♠1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 7001860000000000000♠86 kg (190 lb) 31 – (1987-05-05)5 May 1987 SF 7001130000000000000♠13 Jasaitis, Simas 7000202999999999999♠2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 7001870000000000000♠87 kg (192 lb) 36 – (1982-03-26)26 March 1982 F 7001120000000000000♠12 Kulvietis, Saulius 7000204000000000000♠2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 7002103000000000000♠103 kg (227 lb) 27 – (1991-02-14)14 February 1991 C 7001490000000000000♠49 Kupšas, Mindaugas 7000217000000000000♠2.17 m (7 ft 1 in) 7001950000000000000♠95 kg (209 lb) 27 – (1991-04-09)9 April 1991 SF 7001180000000000000♠18 Lipkevičius, Vytenis 7000198000000000000♠1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 7001980000000000000♠98 kg (216 lb) 29 – (1989-05-19)19 May 1989 PG 7001300000000000000♠30 Mavra, Dominik 7000194000000000000♠1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 7001920000000000000♠92 kg (203 lb) 24 – (1994-06-15)15 June 1994 C 7001220000000000000♠22 Morrison, Mike 7000206000000000000♠2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 7002108000000000000♠108 kg (238 lb) 28 – (1989-10-31)31 October 1989 SG 7000800000000000000♠8 Pilepić, Fran 7000193000000000000♠1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 7001860000000000000♠86 kg (190 lb) 29 – (1989-05-05)5 May 1989 PF 7000100000000000000♠1 Tarolis, Donatas 7000202000000000000♠2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 7001910000000000000♠91 kg (201 lb) 24 – (1994-04-30)30 April 1994 G 7001660000000000000♠66 Valinskas, Paulius 7000190000000000000♠1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 7001830000000000000♠83 kg (183 lb) 22 – (1995-12-09)9 December 1995 PG 7001310000000000000♠31 Wilson, Jamar 7000185000000000000♠1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 7001840000000000000♠84 kg (185 lb) 34 – (1984-02-22)22 February 1984	Head coach Gintaras Kadžiulis Assistant coach(es) Robertas Kuncaitis Marius Prekevičius Physiotherapist(s) Ramūnas Širvinskas Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster Updated: 24 August 2018

Depth chart

In

No. Position Player SF Vytenis Lipkevičius (from s.Oliver Würzburg) F Saulius Kulvietis (from Club Joventut Badalona) G Paulius Valinskas (from BC Žalgiris) PG Jamar Wilson (from Nanterre 92) C Mindaugas Kupšas (from Chongqing Sanhai Lanling) SG Fran Pilepić (from Selçuklu Belediyesi) C Mike Morrison (from Skyliners Frankfurt) SG Ernestas Ežerskis (from Sūduva-Mantinga)

Out

No. Position Player 31 SF Žanis Peiners (to Darüşşafaka S.K.) 50 PF Žygimantas Skučas (to BC Gries Oberhoffen) 14 C Vaidas Čepukaitis (to BC Juventus) 11 PG Arnas Velička (to FC Barcelona B) 8 G/F Gintaras Leonavičius (to BC Prienai) 6 SG Lukas Aukštikalnis (to Huesca) 7 C Darjuš Lavrinovič (to) 12 F/C Kšyštof Lavrinovič (to) 3 PG Lorenzo Williams (to)

Domestic competitions

• Lithuanian SSR Championship

Winners (2): 1985, 1988