BC Lietkabelis (), commonly known as Lietkabelis PanevÃÂà ¾ys, is a Lithuanian professional basketball club based in PanevÃÂà ¾ys, Lithuania, participating in the Lithuanian Basketball League and internationally in the EuroCup. The team plays its home games at Kalnapilis Arena, a multi-purpose facility that also doubles as a velodrome. Founded as Lietkabelis in 1964, the team was known by other names between 1996 and 2012. In 2012, after a change in ownership, the team's historic name was restored. It comes from the team's main sponsor, a wire and cable manufacturing company.
The history of basketball club Lietkabelis began in 1964. The club's name did not change for 32 consecutive years. The home-court games were played in Aukà ¡taitija 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 to the palace's construction process. At that time, the team was represented by such sports masters, such as S. Atraà ¡keviÃÂius, J. Balakauskas, A. Butkà «nas, V. JuchneviÃÂius, E. Kuodys, A. MataÃÂià «nas, R. Petrauskas, R. Sargà «nas, V. Stalilionis, J. ZiÃÂkus, E. à ½urauskas, 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, PanevÃÂà ¾ys club, trained by R. Sargà «nas and V. Paà ¡kauskas 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 â 5th places, 1966 and 1969 â 6th places, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1986 and 1993 â 7th places, 1973 and 1977 â 11-12 places, 1975 â 11th place, 1976 â 9-10 places, 1979 â 9th place, 1981 â 8th place and 1982, 1987, 1990, 1992 â 4th places.
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 PanevÃÂà ¾ys' team: Algimantas Baziukas, Algirdas Brazys, Raimundas ÃÂivilis, V. Dambrauskas, A. Kairys, M. Karnià ¡ovas, Jonas Kazlauskas, Algirdas Krià ¡ÃÂià «nas, Rimas Kurtinaitis, Vitoldas Masalskis, O. Moisejenka, Gintaras LeonaviÃÂius, Rolandas Penikas, Algimantas Pavilonis, A. à  idlauskas 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 MarkeviÃÂius and others. The team long-time was coached by V. StankeviÃÂius, a Lietkabelis factory director. The factory was the team's main sponsor.
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 (1996âÂÂ1999), Sema (1999âÂÂ2000), PanevÃÂà ¾ys (2000âÂÂ2001 ir 2004âÂÂ2007), Preventa-Malsena (2001âÂÂ2003), Aukà ¡taitija (2003âÂÂ2004) and Techasas (2007âÂÂ2012). From January 2012, club's name reverted to the legendary one â Lietkabelis. In 20 LKL seasons the team's jersey was worn by such notable Lithuanian basketball players: Gintaras BaÃÂianskas (19,7 points per game in LKL), Gintaras Kadà ¾iulis, KÃÂstutis Kemzà «ra, Mindaugas Lukauskis, Paulius Staà ¡kà «nas, à ½ydrà «nas Urbonas and others.
In the 1999âÂÂ2000 season, PanevÃÂà ¾ys team (named Sema at that time) participated in international tournament â FIBA KoraàCup for the first time after the country's independence. In 2004âÂÂ2005 season and from 2007 to 2012, PanevÃÂà ¾ys 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 PanevÃÂà ¾ys 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 à  iauliai 1âÂÂ2. 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 74âÂÂ79 and 78âÂÂ83.
In October 2008, the brand-new Cido Arena was opened in PanevÃÂà ¾ys, which has 5656 seats for the basketball spectators. It became new PanevÃÂà ¾ys basketball team home-hourt, replacing the Aukà ¡taitija Sports Palace after 43 years.
In October 2011, then club owner Darius Gaudieà ¡ius transferred the basketball club to a trio of businessmen - Algirdas Krià ¡ÃÂià «nas, Antanas Kazys Liorentas and Kazimieras Antanynas, the latter related to the now-defunct à ªkio bankas. In January 2012, the team's old name, Lietkabelis, was restored.
On 29 July 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. However, just before the drawning ceremony, it was announced that 56 teams would participate instead of 64 and Lietkabelis was not one of these.
On 21 July 2016, Lietkabelis was invited to play in the 2016âÂÂ17 EuroCup season. The club previously registered again in the FIBA Europe Cup. Following it, the team signed notable veterans: Mindaugas Lukauskis, Kà ¡yà ¡tof Lavrinoviàand Darjuà ¡ Lavrinoviàwho formed the core of the team. The positive preseason resulted in record sales of over 700 season tickets just on the sales opening day. The LKL season began historically by defeating à ½algiris Kaunas 90âÂÂ86 for the first time after 16 years. This season became the best one in club history - Lietkabelis had astonishing victories over à ½algiris, BC Lietuvos rytas and BC Neptà «nas, the top teams in Lithuania. In the playoffs, Lietkabelis beat BC Vytautas in the quarterfinals 3âÂÂ0, then shocked Lietuvos rytas 3âÂÂ1 in the semifinals before losing to à ½algiris in the LKL finals 1âÂÂ4. Lietkabelis also reached the 2017 King Mindaugas Cup finals, also losing to à ½algiris 63âÂÂ84. During the season, and the playoffs, Lietkabelis broke many attendance records in PanevÃÂà ¾ys.
The debut EuroCup season performance was not less pleasant for the club. On 12 October 2016, Donatas Tarolis buzzer-beater guaranteed Lietkabelis first 89âÂÂ88 EuroCup victory in the history of the club against KK MZT Skopje. Lietkabelis continued their success in Zagreb, defeating the Croatian champions KK Cedevita 80âÂÂ76. Another remarkable play was performed by Donatas Tarolis, whose put-back slam secured the victory with just 13 seconds remaining. On 23 November, the record of attendance was achieved, with 4427 spectators during the second game versus Cedevita, though Lietkabelis lost a tough rematch 68âÂÂ69. Lietkabelis qualified to the Eurocup Top16, with a 3âÂÂ5 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 did not 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 2âÂÂ4 record.
On 13 June 2017, it was announced that in the 2017âÂÂ2018 season Lietkabelis for a second straight time will participate in the EuroCup competition. Consequently, the team successfully extended contracts with the Lavrinoviàtwins, signed former long-term Lithuania men's national basketball team member Simas Jasaitis and candidate of the national team Adas Juà ¡keviÃÂius, who later played during the EuroBasket 2017. The team retained their respectable status by starting the 2017âÂÂ18 LKL season with a perfect 8âÂÂ0 record and the 2017âÂÂ18 EuroCup season by defeating the Israeli League champions Hapoel Jerusalem 86âÂÂ72. The struggles began for the team after the second game in the Eurocup - a crushing away defeat to Bayern Munich 57âÂÂ93. After a loss at home to Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia 75âÂÂ82, Lietkabelis rebounded with a surprising away win against Galatasaray Odeabank 78âÂÂ73 and a win at home against KK BuduÃÂnost 86âÂÂ79, after a strong performance by Adas Juà ¡keviÃÂius, who scored 32 points and hit 9 three-pointers, 7 of which came in the first quarter. After the first round of the Eurocup, Lietkabelis had a 3âÂÂ2 record. The second round became a disaster â Lietkabelis lost an away game to Hapoel 81âÂÂ93, followed by a loss to FC Bayern 87âÂÂ88 at home. Head coach Artà «rs à  tÃÂlbergs was shockingly fired after a few upset losses in the LKL, replaced by assistant Vitaliy Cherniy. Lietkabelis shocked Grissin Bon with an 85âÂÂ82 away win in Reggio Emilia after the changes, but that did not save the team. Tough losses to Galatasaray 77âÂÂ84 at home, and 62âÂÂ76 to KK BuduÃÂnost in Podgorica left Lietkabelis with a 4âÂÂ6 record and a game out of the Top16 round, ending the competition in disappointment.
In the LKL, after an 8âÂÂ0 start, which included dominating wins against Lietuvos rytas 97âÂÂ81 at Vilnius and a home win over Neptà «nas 88âÂÂ76, Lietkabelis climbed to 1st place in the standings. The streak was snapped by à ½algiris in Kaunas, 90âÂÂ92. After a shocking loss to BC Vytautas, the last place team in the LKL, coach à  tÃÂlbergs was fired. Assistant coach Cherniy briefly took over, before Ramà «nas Butautas took over as head coach. Point guards Gary Talton and Adas Juà ¡keviÃÂius left the team, and were replaced by the talented Arnas VeliÃÂka and Dominik Mavra. In the 2018 King Mindaugas Cup, Lietkabelis defeated BC Pieno à ¾vaigà ¾dÃÂs 86âÂÂ76 in the quarterfinals, qualifying to the Final Four. Facing à ½algiris in a previous year's finals rematch, Lietkabelis lost 74âÂÂ88, and defeated BC Dzà «kija in a hard-fought game 81âÂÂ78 to win third place. What followed was a string of losses in the LKL, with Lietkabelis quickly falling out of contention for first place in the standings. Losses to Lietuvos rytas and Neptà «nas meant the team finished only fourth in the regular season, a disappointing finish. In the playoffs, Lietkabelis defeated BC à  iauliai 3âÂÂ1 in the quarterfinals, thanks to veteran leadership and a great series by team leader à ½anis Peiners. In the semifinals, Lietkabelis faced à ½algiris - 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 0âÂÂ3 fashion. In the third place series, Lietkabelis faced BC Neptà «nas, 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 KlaipÃÂda, 83âÂÂ69, Lietkabelis lost at home 69âÂÂ71. Donatas Tarolis had the best game of his career, finishing with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds. Neptà «nas went on to win the next two games, 79âÂÂ71 at home and a second 89âÂÂ78 win in PanevÃÂà ¾ys. Lietkabelis suffered disappointment, losing the series 1âÂÂ3, and finishing in fourth 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, Eskià Âehir, announced withdrew from the competition, Lietkabelis earned a place in the 2018âÂÂ19 Basketball Champions League regular season, joining group C along with defending champion AEK Athens, Antwerp Giants, ÃÂEZ Nymburk, Montakit Fuenlabrada, Hapoel Jerusalem, JDA Dijon and last year's Euroleague participant Brose Bamberg. Much of the roster of the previous season left, with the biggest losses being the Lavrinoviàtwins, Peiners, Lorenzo Williams. Simas Jasaitis remained with Lietkabelis, and was named the team captain. Lietkabelis then signed solid players like point guard Jamar Wilson, center Mike Morrison, guards Fran Pilepiàand Paulius Valinskas from à ½algiris, forwards Vytenis LipkeviÃÂius and Saulius Kulvietis and center from Juventus Mindaugas Kupà ¡as. Longtime club player Ernestas Eà ¾erskis also returned to the team. Longtime assistant Gintaras Kadà ¾iulis was named the head coach. Despite having one of the strongest teams in the LKL, by November, Lietkabelis was only in fourth place. In the Champions League, Lietkabelis suffered losses at home to Antwerp Giants 87âÂÂ91, and away losses to Hapoel Jerusalem 67âÂÂ81 and Brose Bamberg 77âÂÂ82, only scoring one win against ÃÂEZ Nymburk at home, 97âÂÂ86. At this point, Lietkabelis was 1âÂÂ3. Changes were made, first by bringing in Jonas Vainauskas, the man behind much of BC Rytas success, as sports director. After the loss in Bamberg, Gintaras Kadà ¾iulis was replaced in the coaching position by Nenad ÃÂanak. Vainauskas as sports director only lasted for two months - until his termination on 28 December 2018. During his tenure, Vainauskas made a lot of changes within the team - LipkeviÃÂius, Eà ¾erskis, Morrison and Pilepiàall left and were replaced by guards Stefan Sinovec, Marko ÃÂakareviÃÂ, Davis Lejasmeiers, center à ½iga Dimec and new point guard Vaidas Kariniauskas, who played for the team in the 2014 season, Vainauskas also wanted to release Wilson, but he remained with the team. The results were mixed - in the Champions League, the changes helped the team finish the first round strong, with home wins over JDA Dijon 78âÂÂ62, and Montakit Fuenlabrada 78âÂÂ67, with only one loss away to champions AEK Athens, 59âÂÂ65, and with a 3âÂÂ4 record, were in a playoff position. During Vainauskas tenure, Lietkabelis also defeated Rytas in an away match in Vilnius, 94âÂÂ83. During DecemberâÂÂMarch, turmoil followed - Kariniauskas was released in controversial fashion, the results continued to decline at an enormous rate. Lietkabelis only won two games out of seven in the second round of the Champions League, finishing with a 5âÂÂ9 record, fifth place, and out of the playoffs. In the LKL, Lietkabelis struggled so much, that cross-town rival BC Pieno à ¾vaigà ¾dÃÂs actually tied for fourth place and for a brief time, Lietkabelis fell to fifth. The signing of Ike Iroegbu helped the team. Lietkabelis won third place in the King Mindaugas Cup. Success against BC Neptà «nas and BC Rytas, who Lietkabelis beat in the season series, helped Lietkabelis regain fourth place, at 23âÂÂ13. Valinskas heavily improved during this time, becoming one of the team leaders. Lietkabelis beat Pieno à ¾vaigà ¾dÃÂs 2âÂÂ0 in the quarterfinals. In the LKL semifinals, Lietkabelis was no match against à ½algiris Kaunas, losing 0âÂÂ2. In the third place series, Lietkabelis lost to Neptà «nas 0âÂÂ3.
During the summer, Kupà ¡as, Dimec, Wilson, Tarolis, Valinskas and Iroegbu all left the team. Lietkabelis signed Martynas Sajus, Femi Olujobi and à ½eljko à  akiàas the front court. Lietkabelis also signed Tomas Lekà «nas, from BC Pieno à ¾vaigà ¾dÃÂs, and Tomas Dimà ¡a from BC Juventus, and Gabrielius Maldà «nas from BC NevÃÂà ¾is, who had great games against Lietkabelis in the previous LKL season. Ken Brown was signed to replace Wilson as the new point guard. Margiris Normantas was signed after a great showing in the pre-season. Marius Valinskas, brother of Paulius, signed to a long-term contract in the summer. Coach ÃÂanak remained with the team. Lietkabelis qualified for the 2019âÂÂ20 Basketball Champions League by defeating Keravnos in the qualifying round, on aggregate 148-137 (71âÂÂ55 away, and 77âÂÂ82 at home). Playing in Group A, along with Türk Telekom, Dinamo Sassari, Baxi Manresa, Hapoel Holon, SIG Strasbourg, Filou Oostende and Polski Cukier Toruà Â, Lietkabelis started the regular season 0âÂÂ4. Brown was released due to erratic play, and Paulius Valinskas returned to the team in November. Lietkabelis then made a miraculous comeback in the competition, sparked by amazing play by à  akiàand Dimà ¡a, and on the final day of the regular season, an away win over Hapoel Holon 69âÂÂ68, helped Lietkabelis reach the Champions League playoffs for the first time in club history, with a 7âÂÂ7 record. Olujobi was released and replaced by Gilvydas Biruta, while Rihards Kuksiks replaced Lekà «nas, out due to a season ending injury. In the Champions League, Lietkabelis lost to Casademont Zaragoza 0âÂÂ2, and were eliminated from the tournament. Owing to the Coronavirus pandemic, the LKL season was ended prematurely - in a hugely disappointing development, Lietkabelis suffered what at first seemed an insignificant loss to BC Pieno à ¾vaigà ¾dÃÂs before the pandemic - the loss, though, allowed Rytas Vilnius to finish the season second, one win over Lietkabelis, who finished in third place. In the King Mindaugas Cup, Lietkabelis also won third place. Much of the roster departed during the summer, in particular à  akiàand Dimà ¡a, team leaders, being the most painful departures. Coach ÃÂanak remained with the team.
Lietkabelis was invited to join the EuroCup after Rytas left for the FIBA Basketball Champions League during the summer of 2020. Playing in a very strong group, with Virtus Segafredo Bologna, Lokomotiv Kuban, AS Monaco, MoraBanc Andorra and Telenet Giants Antwerp, Lietkabelis finished the season with 2âÂÂ8 record, one win away from qualification to the Top 16 phase. Kyle Vinales and Margiris Normantas were team leaders during EuroCup season, with players like Gytis Masiulis and late season signing ÃÂorÃÂe Gagiàalso having some strong games. Lietkabelis managed to reach the finals of the King Mindaugas Cup, where they lost to à ½algiris Kaunas 69âÂÂ76. In the LKL, Lietkabelis lost to Rytas Vilnius 0-3 in the semifinals, but won third place for the second season in a row, by beating BC Juventus 3âÂÂ2 in the bronze medal series, qualifying once again for the EuroCup for the next season.
During the summer of the 2021, many players departed from the team. Normantas returned to Rytas, while Masiulis, Vinales, Valinskas, and many other important players for the team leaving. Coach ÃÂanak remained with the team. During the summer, Lietkabelis signed Gediminas Orelik, Dovydas Giedraitis, Karolis Giedraitis, Nikola RadiÃÂeviÃÂ, Kaspars BÃÂrzià Âà ¡, Kristupas à ½emaitis, also re-signed LipkeviÃÂius, Maldà «nas and Gagiàto new contracts. Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, one of the best players during the LKL playoffs, also re-signed. While the team was largely considered good for the LKL, in the EuroCup, Lietkabelis, on paper, looked like one of the weakest teams in the competition. Facing the strongest possible competition, Juventut Badalona, Lokomotiv Kuban (disqualified during the season due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine), Partizan NIS, Metropolitans 92, MoraBanc Andorra, Türk Telekom, Hamburg Towers, and Dolomiti Energia Trento, Lietkabelis shocked everyone - dominant home wins over Juventut, Partizan, Andorra and Metropolitans, great performances even in away games (during the previous season, Lietkabelis had lost all away games), and a 9âÂÂ7 record helped Lietkabelis reach the EuroCup playoffs. Orelik, Dovydas Giedraitis, Kalaitzakis, à ½emaitis had their best seasons of their careers, players like LipkeviÃÂius and Gagiàhad their resurgence as well. In the EuroCup playoffs, Lietkabelis faced Virtus Segafredo Bologna, fighting to the very end before losing 67âÂÂ75, to a team that went on to win the EuroCup later during the season. In the LKL, Lietkabelis initially had some struggles, though quickly became one of the top teams at the standings as the season progressed. In the King Mindaugas Cup, Lietkabelis also had a great run. Playing in Vilnius, without GagiÃÂ, out due to COVID, and an injury to top point guard RadiÃÂeviÃÂ, Lietkabelis faced the hosts Rytas Vilnius in the semifinals, also one of the favorites of the tournament. Down even in double figures, Lietkabelis fought back, and managed to shock Rytas with an 82âÂÂ80 win to qualify for the finals - for the second year in a row. During the game, much of the crowd actually started cheering for Lietkabelis. In the finals, Lietkabelis faced à ½algiris Kaunas. Having almost no front court, Lietkabelis was destroyed in the paint, and lost the finals 66âÂÂ91 to à ½algiris. In the LKL, however, Lietkabelis looked to make history - a dominant win against à ½algiris 85âÂÂ67, in April, assured that Lietkabelis would face à ½algiris again in the LKL semifinals, as à ½algiris would fail to win the LKL regular season. In the LKL playoffs, Lietkabelis beat BC Juventus 3âÂÂ0 in the quarterfinals. At the start of the semifinals, Lietkabelis lost the first game to à ½algiris 70âÂÂ71, in controversial fashion, in Kaunas. In PanevÃÂà ¾ys, however, Lietkabelis made a comeback - Lietkabelis dominated the game to win 79âÂÂ55, the biggest loss for à ½algiris ever in the semifinals. In Kaunas, during the third game of the series, Lietkabelis showed why they went so far the EuroCup - down by double digits for most of the game, a huge run in the fourth quarter helped Lietkabelis take a shocking 73âÂÂ69 away win over à ½algiris, with Lietkabelis taking the lead in the series. In PanevÃÂà ¾ys, Lietkabelis did what no other team for almost 30 years in the LKL had done - an 86âÂÂ75 win over à ½algiris, a 3âÂÂ1 series win ended the historic 11-year run of à ½algiris as LKL champions, and for the first time in history, à ½algiris had failed to make the LKL finals. Lietkabelis also saw many huge crowds during the series, and qualified to the LKL finals for the second time, after 2017. In the LKL finals, Lietkabelis faced Rytas Vilnius, and in the first game of the series, shocked Rytas with a 77âÂÂ68 victory in Vilnius. However, that would be it for Lietkabelis, as Rytas won the next four games and won the series 4âÂÂ1. Despite the loss, Lietkabelis returned to the city as heroes, with thousands of fans showing up to support the team for their amazing efforts during the season. Lietkabelis once again earned a spot in the EuroCup, for the 2022âÂÂ2023 season.
ÃÂanak remained as head coach for the team, while a large part of the team departed - out of all the key players, only Maldà «nas and LipkeviÃÂius remained with the team, as Lietkabelis essentially was forced to rebuild the team from scratch. Kristian Kullamäe, the returning à ½eljko à  akiàand Jamel Morris were signed, all immediately becoming among the leaders for Lietkabelis. Lietkabelis also loaned, from à ½algiris, Mantas Rubà ¡taviÃÂius, former Lietkabelis player, and Paulius Murauskas, talented young players. Stefan Peno was signed as the team's new point guard, while Benas Gricià «nas, fresh of a career season in BC Neptà «nas, was signed to replace GagiÃÂ. In the Eurocup, Lietkabelis faced strong competition in Prometey Slobozhanske, Juventut Badalona, Ratiopharm Ulm, JL Bourg Basket, Umana Reyer Venezia, Germani Brescia, Frutti Extra Bursaspor, U-BT Cluj-Napoca and Cedevita Olimpija - a very even group. After the first 11 games, Lietkabelis had a 4âÂÂ7 record. A mid-season return from Gediminas Orelik, fresh of an unsuccessful stint in Beà Âiktaà Â, returned to Lietkabelis. What followed, was a 6-game win streak, which included some incredible clutch performances from Morris, a record for Lietkabelis in European competitions, which helped Lietkabelis finish with a 10âÂÂ8 record, fourth place in the group, only behind, Prometey, Juventut and Ratiopharm, earning a playoff berth with home-court advantage. In the EuroCup playoffs, Lietkabelis faced Paris Basketball, in PanevÃÂà ¾ys - in a game that went to the final seconds, Paris managed to beat Lietkabelis 98âÂÂ97, with a controversial call at the end of the game where à  akiàmanaged to score a half-court heave, seemingly fouled - but the referees not calling a foul, ending the EuroCup season for Lietkabelis in heart-break. In the King Mindaugas Cup, Lietkabelis reached the Final Four by easily beating BC Juventus in the quarterfinals, winning both games 85âÂÂ81 away and a dominating 109âÂÂ73 at home. In the semifinals, held in à  iauliai, Lietkabelis faced off à ½algiris Kaunas, who beat Lietkabelis 77âÂÂ67, leading pretty much all the way, preventing Lietkabelis from reaching their third consecutive KMT finals. In the bronze medal game, Lietkabelis faced LKL champions Rytas Vilnius, who were upset in the semifinals by CBet Jonava - Lietkabelis led by double digits much of the game, before a late game surge by Rytas took the game to the decisive seconds - Lietkabelis managed to hold on to win 91âÂÂ88 and winning the bronze medals. In the LKL, Lietkabelis fought not only à ½algris and Rytas, but also the newly established BC Wolves at the top of the standings. Lietkabelis lost the season series against Wolves, who took third place, while Lietkabelis finished fourth in the standings. Lietkabelis also made a few changes in the roster - Gricià «nas was replaced by Nikola PopoviÃÂ, while Peno, who was largely replaced by Kullamäe in the point guard position, was released and replaced by Jorden Duffy. In the LKL playoffs, Lietkabelis faced Juventus in the quarterfinals - Lietkabelis had beaten Juvenus decisively in the KMT playoffs. In the LKL playoffs, Juventus, led by late season addition Jon Davies, proved to be a very tough challenge for Lietkabelis - Lietkabelis beat Juventus 85âÂÂ73 at home, but in Utena, Juventus tied the series with an 86âÂÂ77 win at home. The decisive game in PanevÃÂà ¾ys proved to be a classic - Juventus lead much of the game, in double digits, before Lietkabelis made a comeback - beating Juventus 101âÂÂ99 and winning the series 2âÂÂ1. In the semifinals, Lietkabelis faced à ½algiris - memories of the previous season's triumph were still fresh in the minds of Lietkabelis fans. This à ½algiris, however, was much different from the previous season's team - while still coached by former Lietkabelis coach Kazys Maksvytis, à ½algiris had made a lot of changes during the summer and reached the Euroleague playoffs. Lietkabelis had beaten à ½algiris 87âÂÂ85 at home in the final game of the LKL regular season, which did not impact the standings as à ½algiris had finished first in the LKL regular season. In the first game, à ½algiris beat Lietkabelis 69âÂÂ58 at home. In PanevÃÂà ¾ys, Lietkabelis lead the game by as much as 17 points, but unlike the previous season, à ½algiris made a comeback - à ½algiris beat Lietkabelis 86âÂÂ83, in another heart-breaking loss of the season for Lietkabelis. Lietkabelis made adjustments, and this time, themselves erased a double-digit deficit in Kaunas to beat à ½algiris 67âÂÂ66. In PanevÃÂà ¾ys, Lietkabelis fans held out for hope that Lietkabelis would tie the series and bring the deciding game back to Kaunas - however, this was not to be. à ½algiris dominated, building the lead with each quarter, and finished off Lietkabelis 95âÂÂ66 to win the series 3âÂÂ1 and return to the finals, getting revenge for the previous season. In the bronze medal series, Lietkabelis faced off CBet Jonava, coached by Virginijus à  eà ¡kus - Lietkabelis were considered heavy favorites, and had home-court advantage. This proved to be irrelevant from the very first game of the series, as CBet shocked Lietkabelis 89âÂÂ80 in PanevÃÂà ¾ys. Lietkabelis recovered, beating CBet in Jonava on a Morris buzzer-beater 88âÂÂ87 to tie the series. While many considered this as the turning point of the series, CBet once again shocked Lietkabelis in PanevÃÂà ¾ys, with a big 82âÂÂ63 win to once again take the lead in the series. Lietkabelis, needing to respond, recovered and managed to pull out a dominating 75âÂÂ55 win in front off a sellout crowd in Jonava to tie the series 2âÂÂ2 and setting up a deciding clash for the bronze medals. The final game was played in à  iauliai, as the home-court of Lietkabelis was unavailable to other arrangements - thousands of Lietkabelis fans travelled to à  iauliai to support the team, and with the fans support, Lietkabelis managed to beat CBet 84âÂÂ72 to win the series 3âÂÂ2 and win the LKL bronze medals for the season. After the game, coach ÃÂanak departed from Lietkabelis.
Kullamae, Murauskas, Rubà ¡taviÃÂius, Golomon, à  akiÃÂ, Duffy and Morris all departed Lietkabelis during the summer. To replace coach ÃÂanak, Lietkabelis signed former Rytas long-time player, Latvian Roberts à  telmahers as the new head coach for the team. Orelik remained with the team, along with LipkeviÃÂius, Maldà «nas, Popoviàand Nikas Stuknys. Lietkabelis started work and signed Dovis BiÃÂkauskis from CBet, Jon Davis from Juventus, both of whom caused massive problems for Lietkabelis during the LKL playoffs, loaned Liutauras LeleviÃÂius from à ½algiris, signed Alen Hadzibegovic as the new center, and finished with signing Martynas Varnas, fresh off a big season with BC à  iauliai and a bidding war with Rytas, the returning Paulius Valinskas, Dà ¾iugas Slavinskas, and then had the biggest signing of the summer, signing Deividas Sirvydis, fresh of his stint in both the NBA and the NBA G-League, along with a great showing in the 2023 Basketball World Cup with the Lithuanian national team, where he played alongside Maldà «nas. Problems arose as early as the pre-season, when Davies was released from Lietkabelis just after a few games, and point guard BiÃÂkauskis getting injured. Lietkabelis signed Donatas Sabeckis to fill in for the injured BiÃÂkauskis. At the start of the LKL season, Lietkabelis was immediately shocked, as BC Neptà «nas beat them in the opener. Lietkabelis struggled under à  telmahers. After a 1âÂÂ3 start in the Eurocup, in a group featuring JL Bourg Basket, U-BT Cluj-Napoca, defending EuroCup champions Dreamland Gran Canaria, ratiopharm Ulm, Aris Midea, Türk Telekom, BuduÃÂnost VOLI, Dolomiti Energia Trento and à Âlàsk Wrocà Âaw, Lietkabelis decided to fire à  telmahers and replace him with the returning ÃÂanak, who returned after an unsuccessful start of the season with Türk Telekom. Under ÃÂanak, Lietkabelis went on to win 3 of the next four games, including an emotional home win for ÃÂanak over his former team Türk Telekom, and Lietkabelis had finished the first half of the season in playoff contention and with a 4âÂÂ5 record. Also under coach ÃÂanak, Sirvydis went on to become the top scorer of the EuroCup competition, with Orelik also putting up huge scoring performances and Varnas also contributing big in games. The lack of center, however, hurt Lietkabelis, as Hadzibegovic suffered an early season ending injury and his brief replacement in Stefan BirÃÂeviàdid not make much of a contribution for Lietkabelis before being released in April. More injuries continued to haunt the team as Valinskas was also out, along with Orelik, Sirvydis and LipkeviÃÂius in some key games, which resulted in Lietkabelis slumping the second half of the EuroCup season, finishing with just a 3âÂÂ6 record, in particular painful losses to Trento and Türk Telekom, an 7âÂÂ11 overall and out of the playoffs completely, with just a 7th-place finish in the group. Sirvydis remained as the top scorer for the competition, and made the All-EuroCup second team at the end of the season. With focus shifting back to the domestic front, Lietkabelis also made some adjustments to the roster - Sabeckis departed the team, and BiÃÂkauskis returned to the team while Lietkabelis also signed Diante Baldwin as the new point guard, and also solved their problems with the center position by signing back ÃÂorÃÂe GagiÃÂ, recently released by the BC Wolves. In the King Mindaugas Cup, Lietkabelis faced and defeated tough competition from Neptà «nas, losing in KlaipÃÂda 89âÂÂ91, but winning in PanevÃÂà ¾ys, 79âÂÂ76, to win on aggregate and advance to the semifinals. The semifinals, held in Kaunas, Lietkabelis faced off BC Rytas - supported by fans, and with a monster performance from GagiÃÂ, Lietkabelis erased a double digit deficit and went on to shock Rytas 94âÂÂ86 in the semifinals, with BiÃÂkauskis, Sirvydis and Orelik also contributing big in the win. In the finals, though, Lietkabelis once again faced BC à ½algiris - à ½algiris, having a huge homecourt advantage with almost 13000 fans in the à ½algirio Arena, dominated Lietkabelis and won the game 86âÂÂ70 - with Lietkabelis winning their third silver medal in the last four seasons in the tournament. In the LKL, Lietkabelis struggled and finished with just a 16âÂÂ14 record, and just in fifth place, without any home-court advantage for the first time since 2016. Valinskas also departed the team just before the playoffs. In the LKL playoffs, Lietkabelis faced off BC Juventus, who had beaten Lietkabelis in the season series to earn fourth place - in Utena, Lietkabelis took back the home-court advantage with an 84âÂÂ77 win. Juventus responded with a controversial 89âÂÂ88 win in PanevÃÂà ¾ys to even the series at 1âÂÂ1, and to set up the deciding game in Utena. Lietkabelis led for most of the game, before Juventus came back and forced overtime - in overtime, a tip-in by Maldà «nas in the closing seconds and a turnover by Juventus resulted in Lietkabelis holding on to a 100âÂÂ99 win over Juventus, winning the series 2âÂÂ1. In the semifinals, Lietkabelis went on to face à ½algiris - à ½algiris beat Lietkabelis in a victorious 3âÂÂ0 sweep by winning 93âÂÂ72 in Kaunas, a controversial 90âÂÂ89 win in the deciding seconds in PanevÃÂà ¾ys and an 88âÂÂ79 win in Kaunas - in a game most remembered for the season-ending injury for à ½algiris leader Keenan Evans and the late game ejection by coach ÃÂanak. In the bronze medal series, Lietkabelis faced off the Wolves - with home-court advantage, as well as coming off a big series against Rytas, where Wolves took Rytas all the way to the limit, the Wolves were considered as favorites to win the bronze medals. Lietkabelis defied all odds by beating the Wolves 86âÂÂ84 in the opening game in Vilnius to take a 1âÂÂ0 series lead, erasing a double digit deficit in the deciding minutes. In PanevÃÂà ¾ys, Lietkabelis once again erased a giant deficit, but it was the Wolves who prevailed in the end with an 81âÂÂ73 win to tie the series at 1âÂÂ1. The series, however, was decided by Lietkabelis - led by Sirvydis, Orelik and GagiÃÂ, who played his previous team after a largely poor tenure, Lietkabelis beat the Wolves in Vilnius, 91âÂÂ84, and finished off the series with a 98âÂÂ87 win to win the series 3âÂÂ1, and surprising many by winning the bronze medals.
Coach ÃÂanak remained with Lietkabelis, signing a new long-term contract. Lietkabelis changed up the roster, with Sirvydis, Orelik and Gagiàbeing the most significant departures. Lietkabelis was led by new signing point guard Oleksandr Kovliar, the returning Mantas Rubà ¡taviÃÂius and Martynas Varnas, who remained with Lietkabelis during the summer. Lietkabelis signed power forwards Danielius LavrinoviÃÂius, fresh of a stint with à ½algiris, and Marko Pecarski, center Justin Briggs, guard Georgios Kalaitzakis, whose brother Panagiotis played for the LKL finalist Lietkabelis in 2022, and finished off the signings with Grantas Vasiliauskas returning with Lietkabelis. LipkeviÃÂius, BiÃÂkauskis, Maldà «nas all remained with Lietkabelis. In the EuroCup, Lietkabelis started with a 0-4 record (losses to Türk Telekom, Hapoel Jerusalem B.C., Aris and Cedevita Olimpija), before winning against previous season finalists JL Bourg Basket and Hamburg Towers, followed by losses to U-BT Cluj-Napoca and Umana Reyer Venezia. Lietkabelis did finish off the first round with perhaps the biggest win in club history - an away win against long-time Euroleague participants and favorites of the competition Valencia Basket, becoming the first team of the EuroCup to win against Valencia during the season - finishing the first round with a 3-6 record. Lietkabelis also had significant changes - Briggs played sparringly due to injuries and was replaced, at first, by Andrija Stipanoviàon a short-term deal, and later by the returning Gagiàfull-time. Long-time club managed Mindaugas Purlys departed Lietkabelis to join the London Lions, a new project by the à ½algiris group, and was replaced by Jonas MaÃÂiulis, former long-time player in both the Euroleague and the Lithuanian national team, and who was sporting director with BC NevÃÂà ¾is. In the second round of the Eurocup, Lietkabelis finished with just a 2-7 record - with wins over, largely surprisingly, Hapoel and Cluj, Orelik's new team, and another close game (this time, a home loss) with Valencia. Lietkabelis was out of contention for the EuroCup playoffs early in January, and a 5-13 record was only good for 9th place, second to last, in the group. Lietkabelis made more changes during the season, with Pecarski departing Lietkabelis and replacing him with Paulius DanuseviÃÂius. In the King Mindaugas Cup, Lietkabelis defeated NevÃÂà ¾is in the quarterfinals, before losing to BC à ½algiris in the semifinals. Lietkabelis won the bronze medals with a 100-91 win over Wolves-Twinsbet, fellow EuroCup participant. In the LKL, Lietkabelis finished the regular season with a 20-16 record, finishing third and having home-court advantage for the first round in the playoffs. Before the end of the season, LipkeviÃÂius and LavrinoviÃÂius suffered season ending injuries and Kalaitzkis was released due to off-court issues. Lietkabelis defeated BC Juventus 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs, with a 83-77 win at home and a 93-90 win in Utena. In the semifinals, Lietkabelis faced off Rytas - during the first game, one of the team leaders, Varnas also went down with an injury, leaving Lietkabelis with only an eight player rotation - Rytas won the first game 86-82 in Vilnius to take a 1-0 series lead. In PanevÃÂà ¾ys, the short-handed Lietkabelis got revenge with a 73-70 win to tie the series at 1-1. The two teams split the next two games - Rytas winning 87-86 in a very close game in Vilnius, and Lietkabelis winning 87-76 in PanevÃÂà ¾ys, to tie up at 2-2 and set up a deciding clash in Vilnius. This time Rytas took no chances and Lietkabelis was pounded from the very first minutes - a 94-70 win, and 3-2 series win advanced Rytas to the LKL finals while Lietkabelis went on to the bronze medal series against CBet Jonava - in a rematch of 2023, CBet beat Lietkabelis 90-83 in PanevÃÂà ¾ys to open the series, before Lietkabelis, lead by Kovliar, Rubà ¡taviÃÂius, GagiÃÂ, DanuseviÃÂius and former CBet player BiÃÂkauskis, won the next three games by defeating CBet 104-85 in Jonava, 92-78 in PanevÃÂà ¾ys and 81-73 in Jonava, to win the series 3-1 and their third consecutive, and fifth bronze medal since 2020. Coach ÃÂanak immediately announced that he will remain with Lietkabelis during the post-game interview.