Zalgiris is the new champion of Lithuania

Zalgiris - champions of Lithuania

25-05-2007 09:54

Zalgiris Kaunas won the title in Lithuania as they beat in Vilnius in Game 6 of the Playoff finals Lietuvos Rytas 81 – 77. Both teams won the previous five games at home and entered sixth game with Zalgiris leading 3 – 2.
The basketball fans of Lietuvos Rytas expected to push the Final series to decisive Game 7 but the visitors from Zalgiris won in “Siemens Arena” in Vilnius.
Zalgiris and Lietuvos Rytas played their seventh consecutive final series as they dominate the League in such a basketball country as Lithuania.
215 cm tall center Loren Woods controlled the game under the basket and finished with 19 points and 14 boards. Tanoka Beard in his last game for Zalgiris also ended with double double – 13 points and 12 rebounds. Marcelinho Machado was the key player for Zalgiris as he hit a 3-pointer in the last minute of the game to break the tied score and then made two late free throws to secure the victory.
For Lietuvos Rytas former NBA player (played for Seattle, LA Lakers and Charlotte) Kareem Rush was the best scorer with 17 points.Lietuvos Rytas won the Baltic League and played in ULEB Cup Final while Zalgiris after bad season in Euroleague made their fans happy with another title in Lithuanian League.

In case Real Madrid reach Semifinals in ACB League, Lithuania will have two representatives in Euroleague next season. Zalgiris Kaunas has a contract while Lietuvos Rytas will get there as finalist of ULEB Cup.