NYMBURK — Rytas Vilnius defeated ERA Nymburk 69-70 in the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals, sealing the series 2-0 and qualifying for the first time in club history for the BCL Final Four. The Lithuanian team survived an extremely tight contest and clinched victory in the final seconds thanks to two free throws from Ignas Sargiunas.
The second game of the Basketball Champions League series between ERA Nymburk and Rytas Vilnius began with a special atmosphere in the Czech arena, fueled also by the massive presence of Lithuanian fans who traveled from Vilnius. On the court, the home team showed character from the start and managed to impose its rhythm at many moments in the game.
ERA Nymburk closed the first half with a 41-38 advantage, thanks to a spectacular buzzer-beater from midcourt by Ondrej Sehnal, which allowed the Czechs to head into halftime with better feelings after a very balanced first half.
The game continued to be a physical and defensive battle in the second half. Nymburk managed to open a significant lead at the end of the third quarter, putting the score at 60-52, a margin that seemed to bring a third game in the series closer.
However, Rytas Vilnius reacted at the most critical moment of the game. The team coached by Giedrius Zibenas elevated its defensive intensity and gradually reduced the deficit until reaching a final of maximum tension.
With the score still favoring Nymburk in the final seconds, Ignas Sargiunas took responsibility on the decisive play. The Lithuanian shooting guard was fouled while shooting from three-point range and went to the free throw line with the game on the line. Sargiunas converted 2 of 3 free throws, enough to put the score at 69-70 with 5.9 seconds remaining, a lead that Rytas would not relinquish.
The leading scorer for the Lithuanian team was Jerrick Harding, who had 17 points, while Gytis Masiulis posted a crucial double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sargiunas finished with 11 points, but his composure in the decisive moment was crucial in sending Rytas to the Basketball Champions League Final Four.
For ERA Nymburk, Tony Perkins led the attack with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, in a game where the Czech team dominated for much of the time but could not seal the victory.
The statistics reflect the defensive character of the game. Both teams combined for 21 turnovers (12 for Rytas and 9 for Nymburk) and recorded low three-point percentages, with 24% from three for Nymburk and 21% for Rytas.
The victory of Rytas Vilnius in the Basketball Champions League has historic value. After completing the 2-0 sweep in the quarterfinal series, the Lithuanian team becomes the first club from Lithuania to reach the BCL Final Four, which will be held in Badalona in early May.
For ERA Nymburk, the loss ends a great European campaign. The Czech team, which led for 31:34 minutes in this second game, once again fell short of the semifinals after also losing 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the previous season.