Riga Zeļļi Look to Kaunas Žalgiris as a Model, but Hit Obstacles Over Players

Latvian basketball club Rīgas Zeļļi is looking to Lithuania's flagship club, Kaunas Žalgiris, as a model for its own development. Club president Edgars Buļs regards Žalgiris as the benchmark of Baltic sport. The relationship between the two organisations goes beyond mutual respect and an exchange of ideas: it also shows up in practical cooperation, for example in the move of Zeļļi head coach Rokas Kondratavičius to Riga. Buļs admits, however, that Zeļļi cannot obtain everything they would like.

A coach from Kaunas

Kondratavičius had a valid contract with Žalgiris, so his previous club's consent was required before he could become head coach of Rīgas Zeļļi. Buļs says he wrote to Žalgiris owner Paulius Motiejūnas to say that Zeļļi had signed his coach. Motiejūnas replied that he already knew, since permission had been requested. According to Buļs, Žalgiris decided to give Kondratavičius the chance to lead Zeļļi because he needs to develop, and let him go to Riga.

What Zeļļi want but cannot get

Another area Zeļļi would gladly borrow from the Kaunas club is its work with supporters. When the conversation turns to players, however, obstacles appear. The source does not spell them out, but Buļs's remarks show that part of what Zeļļi desire from Žalgiris remains out of reach.