As the Covid-19 pandemic situation gets better in Lithuania, and with the softened quarantine conditions, the Zalgiris players who remained in Lithuania got together for their first practice in Zalgirio Arena.<\/p>\n
Taking into account all health requirements, Paulius Jankunas, Edgaras Ulanovas, Arturas Milaknis, Lukas Lekavi\u010dius, Marius Grigonis, Rokas Jokubaitis and Karolis Lukosiunas joined the coaches after a two-month hiatus. Meanwhile, all the team\u2019s foreigners and Martinas Geben are currently abroad and await a further decision by the EuroLeague.<\/p>\n
For the entirety of the quarantine, the green-and-whites worked out with individual programs prepared by the physical preparation coaches, and dealt with some of the minor injuries they had during the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the entire quarantine, we tried to individualize the workload, and push the players as much as possible in these conditions. Naturally, the first month was more for dealing with micro injuries. Later on we were just trying to roll with the situation. We\u2019ll start a bit differently. It\u2019s not going to be like we\u2019re starting from zero, since we\u2019ve been working all this time. Today we\u2019ll start the intro week, but already at a higher intensity,\u201d \u2013 said the team\u2019s physical preparation coach Justinas Grainys.<\/p>\n
The teams await a final verdict on the season\u2019s finish from the EuroLeague, that should be announced on the 25th of May. The EuroLeague\u2019s Player Association (ELPA) actively participated in the discussions, and one of its members Paulius Jankunas revealed that optimism has gone down throughout this period.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe missed the arena, the locker room, teammates, coaches. It\u2019s a good feeling. When the quarantine started, and they paused the season, I was optimistic. But the longer it lasts, the optimism has dwindled\u2026 I don\u2019t know if it\u2019d be realistic right now. We\u2019ll find out soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
If EuroLeague decided to continue the season, the teams would play the final 6 games of the regular season, followed by the Playoffs<\/p>\n