On the court, Žalgiris left little room for intrigue. Kaunas powered past Klaipėda’s Neptūnas with an emphatic 119–81 win, turning the semifinal into a showcase of offensive depth. Tomas Masiulis’ team rained three-pointers, rotated freely, and crossed the 100-point mark with ease. With this win, Žalgiris reached the Citadele KMT final for the 11th time, underlining their long-term consistency and status as the tournament’s benchmark.
Photo:
LKL sponsored by Betsson / R. Lukoševičius
Žalgiris and Rytas to Clash in the Citadele KMT Final
Author: LKL.lt
2026-02-21
Saturday in Šiauliai delivered a day of high-stakes basketball, as the Citadele King Mindaugas Cup (Citadele KMT) Final Four semifinals and the traditional three-point shootout took center stage.
Before the second semifinal, the crowd was treated to the traditional three-point contest, sponsored by Betsson Casino. Gargždai representative Nojus Mineikis stole the show, calmly winning the shootout and earning a €10,000 prize.
The second semifinal carried more historical weight. Rytas crushed Panevėžys’ Lietkabelis 106–89 and finally ended a six-year absence from the Citadele KMT final. Ignas Sargiūnas delivered a career night, lighting up the arena with 29 points. For head coach Giedrius Žibėnas, it marked a symbolic breakthrough – his first Citadele KMT final with Rytas after several painful near-misses.
Now, the stage is set. Žalgiris meets Rytas, Kaunas faces Vilnius, and the Citadele KMT gets the final it has been waiting for. Beyond tactics and statistics, this is about pride, history, and the balance of power in Lithuanian basketball. One team will lift the trophy – but both have already made a statement that the rivalry is very much alive.
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