Kaunas is the second largest city of Lithuania, but is sometimes called the heart of the country. Not only because of the geographical setting, but also due to historic reasons as the city was the capital of Lithuanian during the interwar period. Kaunas deserves the title of the most Lithuanian city in the country with Lithuanians making up 93 percent of the population.
The city has always been known as Lithuania’s basketball capital with the local club Zalgiris becoming a national symbol recognized around the corners of Europe. The club has won such trophies as the World Clubs Championship in 1986 and the Euroleague trophy in 1999. Arvydas Sabonis, who started his career in Kaunas, has become one of Europe’s basketball icons helping Zalgiris many of the trophies. The club is definitely the most successful Lithuanian post-occupation sports team with 12 domestic titles.
Facts:
Population: 355 550
Area: 157 km2
Time zone in summer: EEST (UTC+3)
Temperature in August: average high 21,9 °C, average low 11,8 °C
Temperature in September: average high 16,7 °C, average low 8,1 °C
Zalgiris Arena
Zalgiris Arena took the name from the legendary club from the local club in Kaunas, which will play the home games in the arena after its completion. The arena in Kaunas will host the final stage of the EuroBasket 2011 as it will be the biggest venue in the whole country with a capacity of 14,500 for basketball games.
The arena was expected to be finished in Septmeber of 2010, but the end date has been delayed multiple times as the construction works had not been finished as planned. As the arena is located in an island, multiple bridges had to be constructed to complete the project.
Facts:
Opened: 2011
Basketball capacity: 14 500
Home team: Zalgiris
