Two teams likely to be in the race for playoff contention will aim to get straight on the winning path as Virtus welcomes Zalgiris.
Pre-game quotes: Virtus vs. Zalgiris
Article
3 Mins read
Two teams likely to be in the race for playoff contention will aim to get straight on the winning path as Virtus welcomes Zalgiris. It has been a summer of change for the Italian team, with head coach Sergio Scariolo replaced by Luca Banchi, who returns to the EuroLeague benches after a six-year absence. Virtus also has half a dozen new signings all over the floor, including shooting ace Jaleen Smith, dynamic forward Achille Polonara and veteran big man Bryant Dunston. Zalgiris coach Kazys Maksvytis has retained the majority of last season’s team, and the Greens will continue to rely on the likes of Keenan Evans and homegrown leader Edgaras Ulanovas.
Luca Banchi, Virtus head coach:
They know each other well, 9/12 of the confirmed team have a system that has been broken in and refined during the summer with the national team. It is clear that it will be a difficult game looking at the path of this team since the new coach arrived. We hope it will be a good night, the opponent imposes the best basketball possible. We will have to make a physical effort but above all a technical/tactical one, they are a team with many weapons and we have seen them in pre-season.
Kazys Maksvytis, Zalgiris head coach:
It’s the start of a long EuroLeague season. We’ve had a lot of preparation and we’ve already had some official games. I wouldn’t say that everything was smooth, but compared to last year we are in a much better position, we know what’s ahead of us and we are ready for the first game. We will be facing Virtus, which is very physical team, with a lot of veterans. There is a new coach, and everyone is curious to see how he will build play in Bologna. We have a strong opponent on the road, well supported by the home fans. We are happy that everyone is now healthy and ready to play.
Regular Season
Round 1 of 34
Regular Season
Virtus Segafredo BolognaVIR
7982
Zalgiris KaunasZAL
Overview
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Marco Belinelli, Virtus player:
We have to start well tomorrow, in the Euroleague all the games are tough. It's the first home game, we will have a full arena and we want to do our best. We will have to take one game at a time. We know the style that Zalgiris has, a physical and tough style, and I repeat that Euroleague games are all difficult and with all the important possessions.
Edgaras Ulanovas, Zalgiris player:
Last year, when we got a lot of new players, it looked like it might be difficult, but it was pretty good. Now we have kept the core of the team, but we have examples that it is not necessarily keeping the core that can bring good results. Expecting something easier than last year would be the biggest mistake. Talking about Virtus, at this stage of the season, it’s hard to draw big conclusions. All the teams are starting the season, the preparation is still going on, a lot of the players are new, new people need to get into the team, get used to each other. I think we need to look more at our own things, at the problems that have emerged lately - lack of concentration, too many mistakes. I have no doubt that the opponent also has some problems that they will try to solve. Whoever solves their problems better will be able to think about victory.
Game Videos
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Tubelis rocks the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
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Moses Wright rattles the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/NuIlNW0lgQQ/maxresdefault.jpg]()
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Dubai Basketball-Virtus Bologna | Round 22 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
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Wright rocks the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/dbb6233d-8827-42d1-aab8-2e67ceabd2d7.jpg?crop=1920%3A1080%3Anowe%3A0%3A0]()
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Birutis's alley-oop dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/9fe3cdb7-4440-4eb6-94d5-f4973740b102.jpg?crop=985%3A554%3Anowe%3A110%3A81]()
Wright's double block! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/e7b20d79-9f10-418a-819e-fbf64f398295.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Virtus Bologna | Round 21 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
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Saliou Niang rejects Kendrick Nunn! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
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Carsen Edwards from the EuroLeague logo! Motorola Magic Moment
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Top 10 Plays | Round 20 | 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season
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Virtus Bologna-Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 20 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
- 00:18
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Moses Wright stops the show! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:16
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Francisco finds Wright! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:16
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Francisco throws it down! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/4z3Zi2XdPoo/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Virtus Bologna-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | Round 19 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
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Strong dunk from Alston! Motorola Magic Moment
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Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv-Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 19 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
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Moses Wright with another alley-oop slam! Motorola Magic Moment
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Virtus goes on a fast break! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/10c78ab8-12eb-4571-b32b-98b25475952c.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | Round 18 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
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Moses Wright turns defense into offense! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/9fe3cdb7-4440-4eb6-94d5-f4973740b102.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A137%3A70]()
Moses Wright rocks the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/d46183d0-f6d4-4434-a736-5491eea7745a.jpg?crop=1920%3A1080%3Anowe%3A0%3A0]()
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Virtus Bologna | Round 17 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
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Zalgiris Kaunas-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | Round 17 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
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Matt Morgan finds the rolling Alen Smailagic for the two-handed slam! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
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Great dunk from Birutis! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
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Wright with a big dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/75cece94-8ab9-4da4-a37b-a625b1155e56.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A116%3A48]()
Wright bends the iron! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/fsSB2pVo3gA/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Virtus Bologna | Round 16 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/tC_DPmonTBs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
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- 00:12
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Niang hammers it home! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
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Niang on the fly! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:17
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Tubelis rejects Loyd in style! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/6lwZD8JY-C0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Virtus Bologna-Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague
- 00:14
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Virtus turns defense into offense! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/feece830-9fdb-48d5-a34a-5fdac0a26846.jpg?crop=648%3A365%3Anowe%3A351%3A146]()
Diouf's big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/5343e1da-0a7c-4517-ba43-5d311b54c753.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A173%3A39]()
Niang finds Diarra! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/WLrTotzWq1A/maxresdefault.jpg]()
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- 00:15
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What a pass by Francisco! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
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Francisco’s bullet pass leads to Tubelis dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/myQ2s-RMfRo/maxresdefault.jpg]()
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