Jasikevičius storms out of press conference after 'disrespectful' question as Fenerbahçe takes 2-0 lead over Žalgiris

Key facts

• Šarūnas Jasikevičius walked out of an official press conference after a Turkish journalist asked if he would want his team to play the same way in the final in Athens.
• He called the question 'disrespectful' and left the room, later apologizing to Lithuanian journalists and warning them to be prepared.
• Fenerbahçe leads the EuroLeague playoff series against Žalgiris Kaunas 2-0.
• The series continues next Wednesday at Žalgiris's home court, Nemuno sala, in Kaunas.
• Jasikevičius spoke with Lithuanian media for six minutes after the incident, answering questions patiently.
• He acknowledged Žalgiris will play better at home, emphasizing the need for his team to match their physicality.

Coach storms out over 'disrespectful' query

Šarūnas Jasikevičius, the head coach of Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul, abruptly left an official press conference on Tuesday after a Turkish journalist asked him whether he would want his team to play the same way in the final in Athens. The Lithuanian coach, who had been answering questions from Turkish media, stood up, said 'that is a disrespectful question,' and walked out of the room. Before leaving the main press conference, Jasikevičius had already completed several answers. The question that provoked his exit came without warning, and he did not elaborate further at the time. The incident was captured on video and circulated among reporters.

A tense atmosphere and a quick apology

Upon arriving to speak with Lithuanian journalists after the official session, Jasikevičius immediately warned them: 'After one very bad question I walked out, so be prepared.' He then smiled and told the group, 'Don't be so serious,' lightening the mood after the tense exchange. He spent six minutes answering questions from the Lithuanian reporters, remaining calm and engaged throughout. His demeanor contrasted sharply with the earlier outburst, as he patiently addressed queries about the series and his team's performance.

Series at a critical juncture

Fenerbahçe now holds a 2-0 lead over Žalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague playoff series, putting the Lithuanian club on the brink of elimination. The next game will be played at Žalgiris's home arena, Nemuno sala, in Kaunas next Wednesday. Jasikevičius acknowledged the challenge ahead: 'Žalgiris will definitely feel better at home. There is no secret there, because all players are used to playing in front of their home crowd. The most important thing is to fight. Žalgiris will play better, even more physically, so the key will be to respond to that.'

Žalgiris struggles from deep

In the second game of the series, Žalgiris struggled with three-point shooting, missing multiple attempts from beyond the arc. The team's offensive woes contributed to their defeat, leaving them with a steep hill to climb in the best-of-five series. Žalgiris forward Gytis Masiulis, who took responsibility for the loss, said after the game: 'I feel bad when my team plays like this.' The sentiment echoed the frustration in the locker room as the team faces elimination.

What comes next

The series shifts to Kaunas, where Žalgiris will have the home-court advantage for the first time. Fenerbahçe needs one more win to advance to the EuroLeague Final Four, which would be Jasikevičius's seventh appearance as a head coach. Jasikevičius, who previously coached Žalgiris and led them to the Final Four in 2018, now stands on the verge of eliminating his former club. The Lithuanian coach's return to Kaunas is expected to be met with a hostile atmosphere, as fans rally behind their team in a must-win game.

The bottom line

• Šarūnas Jasikevičius walked out of a press conference after a Turkish journalist asked a question he deemed disrespectful, but later spoke calmly with Lithuanian media.
• Fenerbahçe leads the EuroLeague playoff series 2-0 against Žalgiris Kaunas, with the next game in Kaunas.
• Jasikevičius acknowledged Žalgiris will be stronger at home and emphasized the need for his team to match their physicality.
• Žalgiris struggled with three-point shooting in the second game, contributing to their loss.
• The series continues next Wednesday at Nemuno sala in Kaunas, with Fenerbahçe needing one more win to reach the Final Four.
• Jasikevičius, a former Žalgiris coach, now faces his old team on the brink of elimination.