Milan welcomes Žalgiris in the fight for crucial European points
European basketball returns to the Mediolanum Forum, today’s Unipol Forum, where on 22 January 2026 at 20:30 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Žalgiris Kaunas will meet in the EuroLeague Round 24 game of the 2025/2026 season. This matchup does not carry only the prestige of a clash between two great basketball traditions, but also very concrete consequences for the standings ahead of the finale of a long 38-round marathon. Zalgiris currently stand better and hold a place in the upper part of the table, while Milan are trying to break out from mid-table toward the playoff zone, so every point is literally worth its weight in gold. In such a situation, fans rightly expect an intense tempo, tough defenses, and plenty of emotion on the court and in the stands, because both teams know that a loss can complicate reaching the knockout phase. That is precisely why interest in tickets is growing day by day, and the evening in Assago threatens to become another one of those European nights where an extra seat is needed. If you want to be part of that spectacle, don’t wait until the last moment – secure your tickets now and be ready to click the button marked with the code “” as soon as you see it below the text.
Standings and the importance of Round 24 for both teams
After 19 played rounds of the EuroLeague 2025/2026 season, the standings clearly show how tight and unpredictable the league is, and the Milan–Žalgiris game fits perfectly into that picture. Žalgiris, with a record of 11 wins and 8 losses, are holding on in the upper half of the table, with a positive point differential and the reputation of a team that has already produced some of the most convincing wins of the entire season. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan are at 9 wins and 10 losses, in the lower part of the mid-table, but still very much within realistic playoff reach, especially if they catch the right run in the second half of the season. Since the league has 20 clubs and 38 rounds, any streak of wins or losses can push a team several places up or down, so this game practically acts as a mini-turning point for both sides. For Milan, it is a chance to complicate life for a direct rival and cut the gap, while Žalgiris, with a new road triumph, would further confirm their status as a team that can win wherever it shows up. Anyone considering buying tickets understands that such stakes also mean high voltage in the stands and that tickets for this event carry special weight, because buying a ticket does not only grant access to a game, but also participation in the fight for the European fate of two great clubs.
Olimpia Milano: a deep roster under Ettore Messina
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan enter this season with one of the broadest and most experienced rosters in Europe, led by legendary coach Ettore Messina, whose bench remains synonymous with meticulous preparation and tactical discipline. On the perimeter, playmakers Lorenzo Brown and Nico Mannion stand out, with support from Quinn Ellis and Diego Flaccadori, which allows Milan constant pressure on the ball and different pick-and-roll variations. On the wing positions, a key role belongs to Shavon Shields as one of the most complete players on the team, as well as Leandro Bolmaro and captain Giampaolo Ricci, who combine outside shooting with defensive toughness and the ability to switch across multiple positions. In the paint, meanwhile, centers Devin Booker, Josh Nebo, Ousmane Diop, and Bryant Dunston dominate, a mix of athleticism, strength, and European experience that few clubs in the league possess. Although results so far have not always followed ambitions, it is clear that Milan can play extremely demanding defense – recall that one of the lowest-scoring games of the season was precisely their win against Bayern, when they held the opponent to just 53 points – so Žalgiris certainly will not have an easy night in Assago. Precisely because of that combination of stars and veterans, fans want to see live how this roster handles pressure, and tickets for this game are an opportunity to witness from the front row Milan’s attempt to confirm their status as a playoff candidate.
Žalgiris Kaunas: the Lithuanian basketball school and a new generation
Žalgiris Kaunas have symbolized the Lithuanian basketball school in the EuroLeague for decades, full of talent, emotion, and loyal fans who follow the club across the continent. This season’s roster combines youthful energy and proven quality: Azuolas Tubelis continues to confirm his reputation as a modern big who can score from the perimeter as well as inside, while Sylvain Francisco gives the team speed, penetration, and creation in organizing the offense. Moses Wright brings physicality and energy on the boards, Ignas Brazdeikis offers an offensive spark and the ability to generate points in isolation, and Laurynas Birutis and Dovydas Giedraitis round out a core capable of playing both fast and patient, depending on the opponent. Žalgiris have already recorded some impressive wins this season, including a historically convincing triumph against Partizan in Kaunas, which further boosted their confidence ahead of the second half of the competition. Although they traditionally rely on their home fortress at Zalgirio Arena, the Lithuanians are increasingly finding ways to carry their aggression and collective play into road arenas as well. That is why Milan know they are not facing “just another visitor,” but a team with a clear vision, a stable system, and a clear ambition to secure a playoff spot, and demand for tickets among neutral basketball lovers will be high – many will want to buy tickets precisely to witness Lithuanian basketball passion from the front row.
The first matchup this season, statistics, and a tactical duel ahead
This season Milan and Žalgiris have already faced each other in Kaunas, and then EA7 took a valuable road win 89:78, sending an important message that they do not back down in any arena. In that game, the depth of the Milan roster stood out the most: the guards controlled the tempo well, moving the ball to wings and centers who punished every delay in the Lithuanian defense. Žalgiris, on the other hand, showed how dangerous they can be when their backcourt gets going – Sylvain Francisco and Brazdeikis kept the game open with scoring bursts all the way to the closing minutes. Ahead of the return game in Milan, season statistics say that Žalgiris score slightly more points on average and have a better point differential, while Milan are stronger in rebounding and rotation depth, especially at center. It is expected that the home side will try to slow the pace and force offense through Brown and Nebo pick-and-rolls, with plenty of screens for shooters like Shields, while the guests from Kaunas will look for ways to speed up, open up transition, and punish any mistake in getting back on defense. Spectators who secure their tickets in time thus get the chance to see a clash of two different styles: Milan’s patient offense and Lithuanian fast, energetic basketball, a combination that very often leads to dramatic finishes.
Mediolanum Forum: a legendary basketball stage in Assago
Mediolanum Forum, located at Via Giuseppe di Vittorio 6 in Assago, a few kilometers south of central Milan, is one of Europe’s most famous arenas for basketball and major events. The arena opened in 1990, has been renovated multiple times, and today, under the name Unipol Forum, holds around 12,700 spectators for basketball games, with a seating configuration designed to bring fans closer to the court and intensify the “cauldron” feel. It has hosted EuroLeague Final Four tournaments, major hockey and tennis events, and numerous concerts by the world’s biggest stars, so it is no wonder that every important Milan game turns into a true city event. The complex is part of the wider business-entertainment area Milanofiori, which offers a range of bars, restaurants, and shops, allowing fans to turn the whole evening into a mini-trip, from an early dinner to a late journey home after the game. For the clash against Žalgiris, the stands are expected to be filled with thousands of fans in red-and-white colors, alongside an increasingly noticeable group of Lithuanian away supporters, which further raises the attractiveness of the event itself. If you want to experience that spectacle live, buy tickets via the button below and secure a view of the court from one of the most passionate basketball environments in Europe.
Atmosphere in the stands and the role of the fans in the outcome
EuroLeague games at the Mediolanum Forum are known for a specific atmosphere where Italian temperament, arena music, chanting by fan groups, and constant cheering from family sections all mix together. Milan has a long basketball tradition, so among the spectators you often find generations of the same families: those who remember the legends from past decades shoulder to shoulder with children who are only now discovering the charms of European basketball. In such an environment, home players get an extra boost, especially when the game is on the line and every rebound or defensive stop can decide the entire contest. At the same time, it is well known that Žalgiris fans love to travel with their team, so in Milan you can also expect a green patch in the stands, with drums, flags, and tireless songs that create a special, almost festival-like vibe. Precisely because of that mix of cultures and fan styles, many neutral fans decide to buy tickets, because they want to feel first-hand what an evening looks like when the entire arena lives for every ball. Tickets for this game disappear quickly, so buy your tickets in time and get ready for 40 minutes of basketball in an environment that only the greatest European arenas can provide.
Milan as a basketball and cultural destination for game day
For fans who come to Milan from other parts of Italy or from abroad, the EA7 Emporio Armani Milan–Žalgiris matchup is a perfect opportunity to combine basketball with a short city trip. The city is known for the Duomo Cathedral, the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, the canals in the Navigli district, and a rich offering of museums and galleries, so the day can easily be spent sightseeing, and the evening finished by going to the game. Many fans like to take a light walk through the center, have lunch or an early dinner near Piazza Duomo, and then take the metro toward Assago, where a lit-up arena and the atmosphere of a major sporting event await them. That day rhythm is especially appealing to families and groups of friends who want to use every moment of their stay in the city, so tickets for this event are often part of a broader travel plan. For basketball lovers from the region, Milan is close enough to reach even on a one-day trip, which further increases ticket demand precisely for evenings when opponents of Žalgiris’ caliber arrive. Whoever decides to buy tickets will get more than just the game – they will get the experience of an entire day in one of Europe’s liveliest cities, with a sporting highlight in one of its most famous sports temples.
How to get to the arena and what to know before buying tickets
The practical part of planning the evening begins with organizing the trip to the Mediolanum Forum, and the good news for fans is that the arena is excellently connected to the rest of the city. The simplest option is the green metro line (M2), whose terminus is precisely “Assago-Forum,” only a few minutes’ walk from the arena entrance; on days of big events, services are often extended so that all spectators can get home safely. For those arriving by car, Assago is located along the A7 motorway, with clearly marked exits and parking areas around the arena, but you should expect congestion shortly before tip-off. It is advisable to arrive a bit earlier, use the time to buy drinks and snacks, find your seat, and familiarize yourself with the sector layout so you can follow the action on the court more easily. As for tickets, it is important to check seating categories and choose the section that best fits your budget and desired view, from the lower stands near the parquet to the higher rows with a panoramic view of the entire Forum. Once you decide, buying tickets becomes the final step: secure your tickets now – click the button marked with the code “” and lock in your place at one of the most interesting games of the European basketball winter.
Who should not miss Milan – Žalgiris
The game between Milan and Žalgiris carries enough sporting and emotional content to attract a very wide circle of basketball lovers, from the most die-hard fans to those who may only be discovering the EuroLeague. For Olimpia fans, this is a chance to support the team up close at a key moment of the season and show that the Mediolanum Forum can be just as loud and powerful as any arena in Kaunas, Piraeus, or Istanbul. Lovers of Lithuanian basketball will get the chance to see how their team handles a difficult road test and whether they can confirm their good position in the standings with another big away win. Neutral fans, meanwhile, can watch live the tactical duel between Messina and the Žalgiris coaching staff, observe the development of young players and veterans, and compare the playing styles of two teams that are part of Europe’s very top level. For families with children, this is a safe and exciting way to get to know the atmosphere of big arenas, because EuroLeague games in Milan go far beyond an ordinary sporting event thanks to the accompanying program, music, and shared cheering. If you love top-level basketball, don’t postpone – tickets for this game are in high demand, so secure your tickets in time by clicking the button labeled “” and be part of a story that will be told for a long time after the final buzzer.
Sources:
- Euroleaguebasketball.net – official game schedule and match pages for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Žalgiris Kaunas
- Euroleague-standings.com – current EuroLeague 2025/2026 standings after 19 rounds, with wins, losses, and point differential
- Olimpiamilano.com – confirmed Olimpia Milano roster for the 2025/2026 season with the list of players and positions
- Be-basketball.com – roster and basic player statistics for Žalgiris Kaunas for the 2025/2026 season
- Wikipedia and specialized portals about the Mediolanum Forum and Assago – information on arena capacity, history, and location