BC Lietkabelis

Lietkabelis Panevėžys
Leagues	Lithuanian Basketball League Eurocup
Founded	1964
History	Lietkabelis 1964–1996 Kalnapilis 1996–2000 Preventa-Malsena 2000–2002 Malsena 2002–2003 Aukštaitija 2003–2004 Panevėžys 2004–2007 Techasas 2007–2012 Lietkabelis 2012–present
Arena	Cido Arena
Capacity	5,656
Location	Panevėžys, Lithuania
Team colors	Burgundy, white, pale gold
President	Alvydas Bieliauskas
Head coach	Kazys Maksvytis
Championships	2x Lithuania, league champions (1985, 1988) 4x Lithuanian league bronze medal winners (1983, 1984, 1990, 1991) Baltic Basketball League bronze medal winners (2016)
Website	kklietkabelis.lt
Uniforms
Home Away

BC Lietkabelis (Lithuanian: Krepšinio klubas Lietkabelis) is a Lithuanian professional basketball team based in Panevėžys, Lithuania, participating in the Lithuanian Basketball League and the Baltic Basketball League. BC Techasas had many financial problems at the 2011–2012 season start, they even boycotted a LKF Cup game.^[1] Because of that Darius Gaudiešius sold the basketball club to Algirdas Kriščiūnas, Antanas Kazys Liorentas and Kazimieras Antanynas.^[2] Due to the club owner changes, club got back his legendary name Lietkabelis.^[3]

History

2012–2016 logo

Early years

Basketball club Lietkabelis history begins in 1964. The club’s name was not changing for straight 32 years. The home-court games were played in Aukštaitija 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 in the palace's construction process. At that period, the team was represented by such sports masters, like: S. Atraškevičius, J. Balakauskas, A. Butkūnas, V. Juchnevičius, E. Kuodys, A. Matačiūnas, R. Petrauskas, R. Sargūnas, V. Stalilionis, J. Zičkus, E. Žurauskas, 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, Panevėžys club, trained by R. Sargūnas and V. Paškauskas 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 – 5th places, 1966 and 1969 – 6th places, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1986 and 1993 – 7th places, 1973 and 1977 – 11-12 places, 1975 – 11th place, 1976 – 9-10 places, 1979 – 9th place, 1981 – 8th place and 1982, 1987, 1990, 1992 – 4th places.

1978–1986: playing in USSR Division I

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 Panevėžys’ team: Algimantas Baziukas, Algirdas Brazys, Raimundas Čivilis, V. Dambrauskas, A. Kairys, M. Karnišovas, Jonas Kazlauskas, Algirdas Kriščiūnas, Rimas Kurtinaitis, Vitoldas Masalskis, O. Moisejenka, Gintaras Leonavičius, Rolandas Penikas, Algimantas Pavilonis, A. Šidlauskas 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 Markevičius and others. The team long-time was coached by V. Stankevičius, a Lietkabelis factory director. The factory was team’s main sponsor.

1993: Creating the Lithuanian Basketball League

Dainius Šalenga as a Lietkabelis member in 2015.

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 (1996-1999), Sema (1999-2000), Panevėžys (2000-2001 ir 2004-2007), Preventa-Malsena (2001-2003), Aukštaitija (2003-2004) and Techasas (2007-2012). From January 2012, club’s name was reverted to the legendary one – Lietkabelis. In 20 LKL seasons the team’s jersey was worn by such notable Lithuanian basketball players: Gintaras Bačianskas (19,7 points per game in LKL), Gintaras Kadžiulis, Kęstutis Kemzūra, Mindaugas Lukauskis, Paulius Staškūnas, Žydrūnas Urbonas and others. In 1999-2000 season, Panevėžys team (named Sema at that time) participated in international tournament – FIBA Korać Cup for the first time after the country’s independence. In 2004-2005 season and from 2007 to 2012, Panevėžys 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 2005 as Panevėžys and in 2012 as Lietkabelis), they also won bronze medals twice as well (in 2008 and 2011 as Techasas).

In October 2008, the brand-new Cido Arena was opened in Panevėžys, which has 5656 seats for the basketball spectators. It became new Panevėžys basketball team home-hourt, replacing the Aukštaitija Sports Palace after 43 years.^[4]

2015–present: participating in European competitions

On July 29, 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.^[5] Although, just before the dawning ceremony, it was announced that 56 teams would participate instead of 64 and Lietkabelis was not one of these.^[6]

On July 21, 2016, Lietkabelis was invited to play in the 2016–17 EuroCup season. The club previously registered again in the FIBA Europe Cup.^[7] Following it, the team signed notable veterans: Mindaugas Lukauskis, Kšyštof Lavrinovič and Darjuš Lavrinovič who formed the core of the team.^[8] The positive preseason resulted in record sales of over 700 season tickets just on the sales opening day.^[9] The LKL season was began historically by defeating Žalgiris Kaunas 90–86 for the first time after 16 years.^[10] On October 12, 2016, Donatas Tarolis buzzer-beater guaranteed Lietkabelis first 89–88 Eurocup victory in the history of the club.^[11] Lietkabelis continued their success in Zagreb, defeating the Croatian champions KK Cedevita 80–76. Another remarkable play was performed by Donatas Tarolis, whose put-back slam secured the victory with just 13 seconds remaining.^[12] On November 23, the record of attendance was achieved, with 4427 spectators during the second game versus Cedevita.^[13]

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

BC Lietkabelis roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age G/F 1 Madgen, Ben 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 83 kg (183 lb) 31 – 7 February 1985 PF 3 Tarolis, Donatas 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 109 kg (240 lb) 22 – 30 April 1994 PG 5 Williams, Lorenzo 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 86 kg (190 lb) 32 – 8 November 1984 SG 6 Rinkūnas, Tadas 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 25 – 30 March 1991 C 7 Lavrinovič, Darjuš 2.12 m (6 ft 11 in) 110 kg (243 lb) 37 – 1 November 1979 G/F 8 Lukauskis, Mindaugas 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 90 kg (198 lb) 37 – 19 May 1979 SG 9 Leonavičius, Gintaras 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 33 – 29 October 1983 PG 10 Janavičius, Žygimantas 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 27 – 20 February 1989 PF 12 Lavrinovič, Kšyštof 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) 116 kg (256 lb) 37 – 1 November 1979 C 21 Galdikas, Simas 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 103 kg (227 lb) 29 – 3 January 1987 PF 50 Skučas, Žygimantas 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 103 kg (227 lb) 24 – 18 March 1992	Head coach Kazys Maksvytis Assistant coach(es) Gintaras Kadžiulis Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster Updated: 23 April 2016

Depth chart

Pos.	Starter	Bench	Bench	Reserve
C	Darjuš Lavrinovič	Simas Galdikas
PF	Kšyštof Lavrinovič	Donatas Tarolis
SF	Mindaugas Lukauskis	Žygimantas Skučas
SG	Ben Madgen	Gintaras Leonavičius	Tadas Rinkūnas
PG	Žygimantas Janavičius	Lorenzo Williams	Lukas Aukštikalnis

Club achievements

Evaldas Žabas was named LKL All-Star in 2015.

Jurica Žuža previously played for Panathinaikos before joining Lietkabelis.

Egidijus Dimša was one of Lietkabelis team leaders in 2015.

Season	League	Pos.	Significant Events	Baltic League	Pos.	LKF Cup	European Competitions
1993–94	LKL	9	–	–	–	–	–
1994–95	LKL	9	–	–	–	–	–
1995–96	LKL	10	–	–	–	–	–
1996–97	LKL	9	–	–	–	–	–
1997–98	LKL	10	–	–	–	–	–
1998–99	LKL	6	Quarterfinalist	–	–	–	–
1999–00	LKL	6	Quarterfinalist	–	–	–	3 Korać Cup group stage
2000–01	LKL	7	Quarterfinalist	–	–	–	–
2001–02	LKL	9	–	–	–	–	–
2002–03	LKL	9	–	–	–	–	–
2003–04	LKL	7	Quarterfinalist	–	–	–	–
2004–05	LKL	8	Quarterfinalist	Challenge Cup	1	–	–
2005–06	LKL	7	Quarterfinalist	Elite Division	11	–	–
2006–07	LKL	5	Quarterfinalist	Challenge Cup	11	–	–
2007–08	LKL	9	–	Challenge Cup	4	–	–
2008–09	LKL	9	–	Challenge Cup	7	Eight finalist	–
2009–10	LKL	6	Quarterfinalist	Challenge Cup	3	–	–
2010–11	LKL	6	Quarterfinalist	Challenge Cup	3	Second round	–
2011–12	LKL	11	–	Challenge Cup	1	Withdrew	–
2012–13	LKL	9	–	Top 16		Quarterfinalist	–
2013–14	LKL	9	–	Top 16		Fourth round	–
2014–15	LKL	8	Quarterfinalist	Quarterfinalist		Quarterfinalist	–
2015–16	LKL	7	Quarterfinalist	Third place		Quarterfinalist	–
2016–17	LKL						2 EuroCup

Notable players

To appear in this section a player must be either:

• A player who has played at least 3 seasons (if foreign player) or 5 seasons (if Lithuanian player) for the club.
• A player who has won an individual award.
• A Lithuanian player who has played for the Lithuanian national basketball team.
• A foreign international player who has significantly contributed into the results of the club.
• A Lithuanian player who has significantly contributed into the results of the club.

Lithuanians: Egidijus Karalevičius 1993–1994 Žydrūnas Urbonas 1993–1994, 1995–1998, 2007–2008 Paulius Staškūnas 1993–1998, 2001–2002, 2003–2004, 2005–2009 Dainius Pleta 1994–1997 Gintaras Bačianskas 1994–1995, 1996–1997 Gintaras Leonavičius 1994–1996 Andrius Vyšniauskas 1996–1998 Gediminas Ramonas 1996–1999 Gintaras Kadžiulis 1996–1999 Gintaras Stulga 1998–1999, 2000–2001 Mindaugas Lukauskis 1996–2001, 2016–present Saulius Raziulis 1993–1994, 1998–2001 Nerijus Varnelis 1997–1998, 2006–2007 Nerijus Varnelis 2006–2007 Marius Janišius 2002–2004, 2008–2009 Tomas Gaidamavičius 2004–2007 Giedrius Jankauskas 2004–2007 Mindaugas Budzinauskas 2007–2008 Darius Griškėnas 2007–2010, 2012–2015 Aidas Viskontas 2009–2010 Gytis Sirutavičius 2004–2005, 2009–2010, 2012–2013 Egidijus Dimša 2010–2011, 2014–2015 Vaidas Čepukaitis 2011–2012 Edgaras Ulanovas 2012–2013 Vaidotas Volkus 2012–2013 Vytenis Čižauskas 2014 Dainius Šalenga 2014–2015 Žygimantas Janavičius 2014, 2016–present Evaldas Žabas 2014–2015 Darjuš Lavrinovič 2016–present Kšyštof Lavrinovič 2016–present Žygimantas Skučas 2016–present

Lithuanians (cont): Valdas Vasylius 2008–2009, 2010–2011, 2013–2015 Foreigners: Herve Djoumbi 1998–2000 Carl Williams 2000–2001 Christopher Hill 2007–2009 Robert Griffin 2007–2008 Mike Smith 2007–2008 Demarius Bolds 2008–2009 Parrish Henry Brown 2013–2014 Dinma Odiakosa 2013–2014 Darrick Leonard 2013–2015 Ivan Nelyubov 2013–2015 Goran Vrbanc 2013–2014 Jurica Žuža 2014–2015 Brandon Wood 2015 Lorenzo Williams 2016–present

References

1. Techasas boycotted LKF Cup game (Lithuanian)
2. Algirdas Kriščiūnas, Antanas Kazys Liorentas and Kazimieras Antanynas bought BC Techasas (Lithuanian)
3. Techasas renamed to Lietkabelis (Lithuanian)
4. Istorija : KK Lietkabelis (Lithuanian)
5. "FIBA Europos taurės dalyvių sąraše – penki Lietuvos klubai". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
6. "FIBA paskutinę akimirką iš turnyro dalyvių sąrašo išbraukė "Lietkabelį" ir "Vytautą"". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
7. "Oficialu: „Lietkabelis" varžysis Europos taurėje". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
8. Pulkovskis, Edgaras. "„Lietkabelio" aukštaūgių tandemą sudarys broliai Lavrinovičiai". Krepsinis.net. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
9. "Pirmąją prekybos abonementais į „Lietkabelio" varžybas dieną – rekordas". JP.lt. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
10. "LKL starte košmaras favoritams: „Žalgiris" krito Panevėžyje". Krepsinis.lt. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
11. "20-ies taškų persvarą išbarstęs „Lietkabelis" Europos taurėje laimėjo paskutinę sekundę". 24sek.lt. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
12. "K. Lavrinovičiaus ir Ž. Skučo tandemas atvedė „Lietkabelį" į dramatišką pergalę Zagrebe". Krepsinis.lt. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
13. "Panevėžyje – naujas lankomumo rekordas". Krepsinis.net. Retrieved 24 November 2016.

External links

• Official website of BC Lietkabelis (Lithuanian)
• BC Lietkabelis LKL.lt (Lithuanian)