kurtinaitis expresses Regret Over Player Injuries,Navigates Žalgiris Release Requests
Vilnius,Lithuania – November 23,2025 – National team coach Rimas Kurtinaitis voiced concern over a recent surge of player injuries,specifically referencing the cases of Rokas Jokubaitis and Echodas,while also addressing ongoing negotiations with Žalgiris Kaunas regarding player releases for national team duties. Kurtinaitis revealed a lingering regret regarding his approach to player conditioning, stating, “I don’t know why, how it happened,” hinting at a possible overextension of athletes during training.
The comments come as Lithuania prepares for upcoming international competitions, with a delicate balance needing to be struck between national team commitments and the club priorities of Žalgiris. Approximately ten players across all national teams sustained injuries during recent qualifying windows, prompting Kurtinaitis to emphasize caution in handling player availability. The situation is particularly sensitive given the recent ligament tears suffered by both Jokubaitis and Echodas, injuries Kurtinaitis personally witnessed and acknowledged were devastating.
Kurtinaitis recalled his early involvement in Echodas’s career, noting his role in providing the player with a foundation in basketball.Despite his contributions to player development, he admitted to a tendency to push athletes beyond their physical limits. “I contribute to player planning, but I am able to squeeze more out of them than their bodies can handle,” he stated.
While acknowledging Žalgiris’s willingness to cooperate, Kurtinaitis stressed the desire for mutually beneficial agreements regarding player releases. “We don’t think Žalgiris has problems releasing players,but we want to reach a good-faith decision that is good for both sides and doesn’t cause harm,” he explained. He affirmed the team’s commitment to maximizing performance and striving for victory, while also recognizing the ultimate agency of the players themselves. “As much as I contributed to the players, yes, I trained them, but they are in their own hands. If a person wants to achieve something, they will achieve it. If they don’t want to, they will always find excuses.”
Regarding his coaching staff, Kurtinaitis announced the addition of scout Mindaugas Janiška, previously working in Azerbaijan, to bolster the team’s analytical capabilities alongside existing scout Andrius Ulčickas. He anticipates an even stronger performance from the scouting team compared to the previous year.
