Graphic: Mārtiņš Zaļūksnis
Two games coming up this week as Šiauliai will host the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles and Polski Cukier Start Lublin open the second campaign against Uniclub Casino Juventus on Wednesday, October 4.
Series history: Šiauliai and the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles will face each other for the first time.
Key matchup: Šiauliai center Tomaš Pavelka is lighting it up, as he averages 15.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in the LKL as well as 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the ENBL.
Newcastle Eagles power forward Tajh Green (Benedict College 2022) also has posted impressive numbers. A Columbia, South Carolina native has averaged 14.0 points and 10.3 rebounds in the British Basketball league.
National championships: Šiauliai (1-2) traveled to Jonava on Monday night and lost to the home team, 84-85, after a valiant comeback in the fourth quarter.
The Newcastle Eagles (2-1) opened the season on September 14 with a 79-72 home win against the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks. The Eagles won the first road encounter against the Bristol Flyers, 81-74, and dropped the next home game vs Cheshire Phoenix, 73-80.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Aurimas Borusas (Lithuania) – a Top 10 referee from Lithuania and a FIBA referee from 2019.
Umpire 1: Josh Bowe (Great Britain) – a FIBA referee from 2019, has officiated at the British Playoffs – BBL and WBBL – from 2017.
Umpire 2: Vidmantas Rušinas (Lithuania) – a top division in Lithuania from 2022, has worked at the NKL (Lithuania`s second division) Final Four in 2022 and 2023.
Observer: Mareks Voļskis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs6DQPuz-w0
Lublin vs Utena
Series history: this is the first game between the teams as Uniclub Casino Juventus Utena enter the competition for the first time.
Key matchup: Lublin`s point guard Jabril Durham (Arkansas 2016) had a terrific start, as he averaged 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists in the first two games.
Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith (Dayton 2017) shined for the Uniclub Casino Juventus, averaging 8.3 points and 7.0 assists. A former Flyer standout last year played for Start Lublin.
National championships: Polski Cukier Start Lublin (2-0) defeated Arriva Twarde Pierniki Torun, 102-85, on September 22 and one week later outplayed Trefl Sopot on the road, 82-73.
Uniclub Casinos Juventus (2-1) had a successful start in the LKL. Utena defended its home court, posting wins over Mažeikiai, 81-74, and Neptūnas Klaipeda, 112-102. The lone loss came at the hands of the Euroleague team Žalgiris Kaunas, 69-79, on September 28.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Bartlomej Kucharski (Poland) – a top division in Poland from 2016 and a FIBA referee from 2021, has worked at the 2023 Orlen Basket Liga finals.
Umpire 1: Dovydas Kairys (Lithuania) – has worked at the NKL (Lithuania`s second division) Final Four in 2022. Named the most promising young basketball referee in 2022.
Umpire 2: Bogna Podkowinska (Poland) – a Polish top division from 2016 and a FIBA referee from 2023.
Observer: Oskars Lucis (Latvia) – ENBL head of referees.
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPuVOC9yvXY