After Lietuvos Rytas decided to pull out of the
Lithuanian Cup, the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) was left with a
head-scratcher of who should replace the side from Vilnius in the semifinal of
the tournament.
Last year’s runners-up in the competition
decided not to participate in the Lithuanian Cup, claiming that the Federation
broke an agreement with Lietuvos Rytas TV regarding the broadcast rights of the
tournament’s Final Four.
“There was a theoretical possibility that
Lietuvos Rytas could change their mind, because LKF gave a reasoned response to
their complaints about the broadcasting rights. As we have already stated,
there was no existing agreement,” said the Federation’s spokesman Dalius Matvejevas.
With no change of heart by Lietuvos Rytas, the
Federation came to a decision to award the team’s spot to one of the two losing
sides from the quarterfinal stage, which is still being played out. The one
game playoff will take place in a neutral court.
The participants of the Lithuanian Cup Final
Four should become clearer in the coming days, as Siauliai will try to overcome
a 8-point disadvantage against Kedainiai Triobet on Tuesday, while Pieno
Zvaigzdes will seek to defend a slender 2-point lead over Rudupis coming into
the second stage.
The winner of the game between Siauliai and
Kedainiai Triobet will face Zalgiris in the semifinal of the Lithuanian Cup and
the stronger team of the second quarterfinal will match-up against the winner
of the additional playoff game.
