Great European showdown in Kaunas
Žalgirio Arena in Kaunas on January 9 at 20:00 becomes the stage for one of the most attractive games of Round 21 of the 2025/2026 EuroLeague season, as Žalgiris face Crvena zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. The matchup arrives at a moment when the regular season has entered its second half, and every win becomes crucial in the fight for the best possible starting position in the playoffs and the play-in zone. The Lithuanian champions enter 2026 with an impressive home streak and an explosive offense led by point guard Sylvain Francisco, while the Belgrade team, powered by Jordan Nwora and Chima Moneke, is confirming its reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous transition squads. The arena atmosphere is known as one of the fiercest on the continent, and it is already clear that fan interest will be exceptional, as this is a direct clash of contenders for the upper part of the standings. Ticket sales for this event are drawing attention from fans across Lithuania and the region, and anyone who wants to experience this game live should secure tickets in time by clicking the button below and plan the trip to Kaunas before the seats disappear from sale.
Standings and stakes: a clash of direct rivals
Ahead of Round 21 and the start of 2026, Žalgiris and Crvena zvezda are almost shoulder to shoulder in the EuroLeague, with the Lithuanian side currently, after 19 games played, holding an 11–8 record and a positive point differential close to one hundred points, while the Belgrade club sits at 10–8 with one game in hand. That means a single win or loss can push a team toward the very top or pull it toward the middle of the table, where rivals are packed together in the race for the play-in and the eight direct playoff places. Žalgiris average around 87 points per game, while Crvena zvezda are not far behind at about 86, so it’s clear that every possession and every offensive-rebound battle will carry huge weight. The Lithuanians have a slightly better overall point-differential profile, while Zvezda dominate the rebounding, especially thanks to Moneke, so even the dry numbers hint at a tactical battle under the rims. For fans considering buying tickets, an extra lure is the fact that the likely winner of this game will gain an important psychological and table advantage in the fight for the upper half of the standings, so seats for this clash will also have a kind of “souvenir” value, as a keepsake from a turning-point night of the season.
Team form: Žalgiris’ surge and Zvezda’s search for continuity
Žalgiris enter this matchup riding a wave of confidence after several big scalps in the second part of 2025, including an impressive road win against Hapoel Tel Aviv and earlier devastating performances against Bayern and Partizan, with the Lithuanians even recording one of the most convincing home wins of the season by more than forty points. Such games have strengthened Žalgiris’ status as a team that can “explode” offensively and, in a short span, put together a run that topples even the biggest favorites—especially when the perimeter line heats up and the crowd in the bright green stands comes alive. Crvena zvezda, on the other hand, have already put together an impressive winning streak and grabbed headlines thanks to the scoring displays of Jordan Nwora, who has emerged as one of the competition’s most efficient scorers, as well as the energy of Chima Moneke, the league’s leading rebounder. However, the Belgrade side also had fluctuations over the winter and some painful late-game losses, such as the city derby with Partizan, which further underlines the importance of stable play on the road. That is precisely why this game in Kaunas will be something of a character test for Saša Obradović’s team and a chance to prove that Zvezda’s project can win in one of Europe’s loudest basketball environments.
Žalgiris stars: Sylvain Francisco and the Lithuanian core
Žalgiris’ offense in the 2025/2026 season gained a completely new dimension with the arrival of Sylvain Francisco, who has established himself as one of the best playmakers in the EuroLeague, with an assists average among the very top of the competition and a string of games in which he combined around twenty or more points with a double-digit number of passes. His performance against Real Madrid, in which he scored over thirty points and handed out eleven assists, entered the club’s history books and showed that Žalgiris have landed a playmaker capable of taking full control of the game’s rhythm. Alongside him, a young Lithuanian core led by Ažuolas Tubelis and Ignas Brazdeikis is growing, creating constant pressure on the opposing defense with drives and shooting, while center Moses Wright brings athleticism and a vertical threat out of pick-and-roll actions. When you add to that group the experience of players who know what it means to play big games in Žalgirio Arena, you get a roster that can play at a high tempo and regularly pour in threes at an impressive percentage. Precisely because of that attractive style of play, buying tickets for the game against Zvezda is, for many fans, more than an ordinary decision—it’s a chance to watch from the front row as a new generation of Žalgiris tries to continue the tradition of Lithuanian basketball craft on Europe’s biggest stage.
Zvezda’s offense on the wings of Jordan Nwora and Chima Moneke
On the opposite side of the court stands Crvena zvezda, who this season live above all off the energy and points of Jordan Nwora, a scorer who has been profiled into one of the EuroLeague’s stars and averages close to twenty points per game, placing him among the competition’s leading scorers. His combination of strength, outside shooting, and the ability to create points out of isolation makes him a constant threat to any defense, especially in situations when Zvezda stretch the opponent and open space for his drives. Chima Moneke, also one of the best rebounders in the entire league, brings incredible energy in both directions, grabs offensive rebounds and turns them into easy points, and often sets the aggression tone for the rest of the team. Alongside them, it’s worth mentioning Jared Butler and Codi Miller-McIntyre, whose job is to connect the lines, control the tempo, and find mismatch situations against Žalgiris’ big men. Watching live as Nwora and Moneke battle a disciplined Lithuanian block is something completely different than following a broadcast on a screen, so for Zvezda fans planning a trip to Lithuania, buying tickets for this clash is a logical step to support their club in what may be one of the season’s key road games.
Head-to-head: tight finishes and the rhythm of generational change
The recent EuroLeague history of meetings between Žalgiris and Crvena zvezda over the last few seasons shows just how balanced this rivalry is, because most games ended within one or two possessions. In the last five games, the two teams have traded wins: Žalgiris won in Kaunas in 2023 and 2024, while Zvezda responded in Belgrade, and ahead of this matchup they also carry a fresh memory of a home win, 88–79, from October 2025. That pattern adds extra spice to the new clash, since the Lithuanian club, in front of its fans, is looking for revenge for the loss in Pionir and a chance to take a psychological edge in the series of close contests. The common thread in almost all those games was a combination of fanatical defense and high offensive intensity, with fan passion coming through in both Belgrade and Kaunas, turning these matchups into a real little European basketball classic. That is exactly why tickets for this game in Žalgirio Arena are seen as a kind of “entry into a chapter” of a multi-year story, and those who manage to secure seats will have the chance to witness another episode of a rivalry that almost never disappoints.
Žalgirio Arena: a basketball sanctuary on an island in the middle of the Nemunas
Žalgirio Arena, located on an island in the middle of the Nemunas River at Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50, has for more than a decade been synonymous with modern basketball infrastructure and an unforgettable atmosphere at Žalgiris home games. The venue holds around 15,000 spectators for basketball games, and on certain occasions—such as major concerts and national-team events—it has hosted over 20,000 visitors, making it the largest arena in the Baltic states. The glass façade and contemporary interior solutions combine functionality and aesthetics, while the seating layout is designed so that every fan feels the closeness of the court and the pressure created by the green waves of the crowd. Reviews from travelers and basketball lovers regularly highlight a Žalgiris game as one of the strongest sports experiences in Europe, because at the entrance you’ll be greeted by a sea of jerseys, drums, and singing that doesn’t stop from the first to the last minute. For those who want to extend their stay and explore the city, it’s worth checking out various accommodation offers in Kaunas, and buying tickets for this event in good time will allow you to choose ideal seats in the stands and fully feel how much the home crowd can influence the rhythm of the game.
Kaunas as host: a city of basketball, architecture, and rivers
Kaunas is Lithuania’s second-largest city and a place where basketball is more than a sport, as it intertwines with the city’s identity and the daily life of its residents—from murals dedicated to legends to the fact that Žalgiris game days are a kind of “small holidays.” Situated at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers, Kaunas blends a historic core with interwar modernist architecture that is often described as a living museum of the 20th century, offering fans who come for the game much more than just time spent in the arena. A walk through the old town, a visit to Kaunas Fortress, a tram ride to a viewpoint, or an evening coffee on Laisvės alėja are a natural continuation of the sports day, especially for those coming from other countries. Because of the combination of a sporting and tourist experience, many fans plan to arrive a day early or stay at least one more night, so they have enough time for sightseeing and a relaxed return. Numerous options for accommodation near the venue help with that—from riverside hotels to apartments in the city center—so buying tickets and booking accommodation in advance ensures you can focus on what matters most: the basketball itself and the fan experience.
Tactical clash: Žalgiris’ pace vs Zvezda’s rebounding and physicality
EuroLeague statistics reveal clear identities for these two teams: Žalgiris are among the very top in three-point shooting percentage and assists, while Crvena zvezda dominate in total rebounding and in their ability to “punish” the opponent with a second attack after an offensive rebound. The Lithuanians average fewer turnovers, which allows them to keep a high pace without excessive risk, and when Francisco and the perimeter line catch an offensive rhythm, runs of threes and transition points quickly turn into a double-digit lead. On the other side, Zvezda try to use their width in the paint, where Moneke and the big men constantly seek contact, attack mismatch situations, and force the opponent into fouls, opening space for Nwora’s shooting stretches and perimeter explosions. An interesting element ahead of the matchup is also the fact that both teams are not among the best in free-throw accuracy, so concentration at the line in the closing minutes could play a big role in a potential tight finish. Fans watching from the stands will literally be able to “feel” the tactical adjustments, because every change in defensive scheme or switch to switching across all positions will trigger immediate crowd reactions, further enhancing the sense that buying tickets doesn’t mean just entering the arena, but also taking part in a big chess match on the floor.
What to expect on the court: possible scenarios and key turning points
One of the most likely scenarios in this matchup is Žalgiris’ desire to raise the tempo from the very start and force quick attacks through the pick-and-roll between Francisco and Wright or Tubelis, in order to get easy points before Zvezda set their tough, contact-heavy defense. In those moments, the Lithuanians’ outside shot will play a key role, because Crvena zvezda have shown this season that they can close the paint and force the opponent into long, difficult possessions against a set defense, where physical power and roster depth come to the fore. For the Belgrade side, the key will be to stay disciplined on offense, avoid runs of turnovers that would ignite the home crowd, and maximize the mismatch situations that open up when Žalgiris, searching for offensive rhythm, go to smaller lineups. The wing matchup is especially intriguing, where duels between Nwora and Brazdeikis or other Žalgiris wings could unfold, as well as the constant rebounding battle between Moneke and the Lithuanian big men. All of that makes this game ideal for fans who want to follow tactical chess in detail, and those who decide to buy tickets will have the chance to see up close how small details—one switched screen, one sprinted fast break, or one won 50–50 ball—can decide the outcome and perhaps redirect the course of the entire season.
Practical information for fans: arrival, entry, and the game-day experience
Žalgirio Arena is within walking distance of central Kaunas, across the bridge that leads to the island in the middle of the Nemunas, so fans who choose accommodation in the city center can reach the venue with a pleasant riverside walk or a short ride by public transport or taxi. On game day, it is customary for the arena doors to open roughly one and a half to two hours before tip-off, giving fans enough time to pass security checks, find their seats, and visit the fan shop or the food and beverage points inside the facility. Arriving early is recommended, especially for those coming to Kaunas for the first time, so they can calmly find their entrance, take photos in front of the arena, and feel the gradual warm-up of the atmosphere as the stands fill with green and red-and-white colors. For international travelers, another plus is the rich selection of hotels and apartments near the arena and the center, so it’s worth exploring various options for fan accommodation on game day and combining the EuroLeague spectacle with a short city break. Since strong interest is expected from both home and visiting fans, ticket sales for this event are moving quickly, so those who want to be sure to get good seats are advised to buy tickets as soon as possible via the button below and thus secure their seats in time for one of the key nights of this European season.
Sources:
- Euroleaguebasketball.net – official schedule, standings, team and player statistics, and an overview of head-to-head meetings between Žalgiris and Crvena zvezda
- GlobalSportsArchive.com – extended table with win-loss records after 19 rounds of the 2025/2026 season
- Be-Basketball.com and related statistical portals – information on the rosters of Žalgiris and Crvena zvezda and individual outputs of key players
- Wikipedia and specialized basketball portals – general data about the 2025/2026 season, record games, awards, and club histories
- Tourism portals and guides for Kaunas (visit.kaunas, InYourPocket, TripAdvisor) – information on Žalgirio Arena, capacity, location, and the city context