New coach, new European adventures – welcome, Juventus Utena!
- marisnoviks
- May 5
- 2 min read
Lithuanian club Juventus Utena return to the European North Basketball league after a solid debut campaign in 2023-2024.
On August 16, 2023, then Uniclub Casino-Juventus Utena officially joined the European North Basketball league for the first time.
On October 4, 2023, Juventus Utena debuted in the ENBL with a 103-73 road win against the 2023 bronze medalist Polski Cukier Start Lublin.
The Lithuanians, coached by Oliver Kostič, posted a 6-1 record to win Group A and advance to the 2024 playoffs along with Bakken Bears Aarhus, Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits and Bristol Flyers.
They lost the quarterfinal series against Royal Liège Basket, 180-182, despite a 96-87 home win.
Juventus Utena signed out with a 7-2 record and the fifth place in the standings behind the Bakken Bears, CSO Voluntari, Royal Liège Basket and Šiauliai.
Two years later Juventus Utena return for another European campaign.
Juventus Utena are fighting for a spot in the 2026 LKL playoffs.
Laimonas Eglinskas, a 37 years old coach from Šilute, took the coaching reins on April 21, 2026, replacing the 2023 ENBL finalist Kęstutis Kemzūra.
Eglinskas was assistant of Nenad Čanak at Lietkabelis Panevezys (2019-2023), coached at Gargždai (2023-2024), worked as assistant coach at Jonava and at the New Zealand Breakers (in Australian league), before taking over Kedainiai at the start of 2025-2026 season.
Young coach posted his first win on May 2, as Juventus defeated third seeded Neptūnas Klaipeda, 102-91.
Lukas Uleckas posted a triple-double with 11 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.
A few days earlier Juventus Utena secured LKL licence for the 2026-2027 season.
Current roster of Utena features several players with ENBL experience – experienced wing Evaldas Šaulys, centers Ivan Vraneš and captain Šarūnas Beniušis, plus young guard Titas Didžgalvis.
Guard Paulius Valinskas is a two time LKL champion and a two time King Mindaugas Cup winner.
Juventus Utena was founded in 1999.
The club played in third Lithuanian division until 2007, when it entered the NKL.
Juventus won back-to-back NKL regular season titles and on June 15, 2009 was allowed to join the LKL.
Utena club registered its most successful season in 2015.
Juventus defeated then Euroleague team Neptūnas Klaipeda to clinch a bronze medal.
Team entered the FIBA Europe Cup in the autumn of 2015 and Basketball Champions league a year later.
Utena is known as a native town of Jonas Valančiūnas.
Jonas is the most famous member of the Golden Boys – a generation of players born in 1992.
The young Lithuanians won the 2008 European U16 championship, the 2010 European U18 championship and the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.
Juventus Utena play at the Utena Arena. Capacity 2000.
Utena is located 100 kilometers north of Vilnius Airport.
You can visit club`s website at utenosjuventus.lt
Good to see Juventus Utena back after that 6-1 group stage in their debut season. Handing the reins to Laimonas Eglinskas is an interesting call given how young he is for this level, and that opening win over Neptunas Klaipeda suggests the squad bought in quickly. Uleckas posting a triple-double there says plenty. I track league notes in Choicer Voicer Packs, so I'll be watching how the ENBL group shakes out.
Congrats to Juventus Utena on their strong start in the ENBL playoffs—what a fun season so far! Speaking of timing, a good interval timer can really help teams keep drills sharp and stay on schedule during practice.
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This article provides one of the clearest explanations I have seen about the constancia de situación fiscal. The content is well researched, easy to understand, and full of useful information. I appreciate that you focused on practical guidance instead of making the topic seem more complicated than necessary. Thank you for taking the time to publish such a high-quality and informative resource for your readers.
A new coach can bring a fresh spark to a team, especially when European competition is part of the journey. Juventus Utena looks like they are entering an exciting chapter, and it will be interesting to see how the players adjust to new ideas, travel, and different styles of basketball. I enjoy following clubs that grow through these international experiences because every away game teaches something. While reading Cheapair reviews before planning a sports trip, I was reminded how much travel planning matters for fans too. New opponents, new arenas, and new energy can make a season feel completely renewed.