Lietuvos Rytas Forward Artūras gudaitis Previews Derby Clash with Žalgiris, Reflects on Tubelis‘ Transfer
Vilnius – Lietuvos Rytas forward Artūras Gudaitis addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated Lithuanian League derby against Žalgiris, discussing his own early-season form, the challenges of facing a EuroLeague opponent, and offering insight into former teammate Ažuolas Tubelis’ recent move to Žalgiris. Gudaitis,who began the season with MVP-caliber performances,emphasized the physical nature of the rivalry and the emotional toll of competing at the highest levels.
The upcoming match carries meaningful weight for both clubs, marking the first derby of the season and a crucial test for Lietuvos Rytas as they aim to challenge Žalgiris’ dominance. Gudaitis’ perspective is notably relevant given his own experience transitioning between Lithuanian clubs early in his career and his familiarity with Tubelis’ situation.The outcome could set the tone for the remainder of the LKL season and impact both teams’ momentum.
Regarding tubelis’ transfer, Gudaitis acknowledged the excitement and potential challenges the forward faces. “I don’t really remember my first match (against ‘Žalgiris’ after transferring to ‘Lietuvos ryta’ – aut.), to be honest, but there was automatically excitement – it’s human,” Gudaitis stated. “Oak is strong emotionally and will definitely endure.” He defended Tubelis’ decision, stating, “He made a decision that he believed would put his career on the upswing. We can’t blame him – he did what was best for him.”
Gudaitis also anticipated a physical contest, suggesting elbows will be “sharpened for everyone, not only Oak.” He highlighted Žalgiris’ physicality and defensive strength, specifically noting the impact of recent addition, Wright.
Addressing Žalgiris’ recent demanding schedule in the EuroLeague, Gudaitis explained, “The biggest, perhaps, emotional side – when you have three matches a week, and you need to give yourself emotionally, concentrate, maintain concentration.” He added that while a consistent rhythm can be beneficial, a week of planning can also be beneficial, stating, “We’ll see how it goes on Sunday. ‘Zalgiris’ crushed the rivals – the issue of rotation may be resolved, it will remain only emotional.”
