Maodo Lo Leads Zalgiris Past Barcelona as Valencia Upsets Milano

When Maodo Lo, captain of Žalgiris Kaunas guided his squad to an 85‑72 triumph at Palau Blaugrana on Oct 22, 2025, EuroLeague Round 6 also saw Valencia Basket edge out Olimpia Milano in Milan. The back‑to‑back results set up a November 7 showdown at Zalgirio Arena, a match many pundits are already calling the early‑season "must‑watch".

Defensive Masterclass in Barcelona

Žalgiris entered the arena as underdogs, yet the Lithuanian side imposed a suffocating game plan that left FC Barcelona’s star‑maker Tomas Satoransky with zero assists and five turnovers by the third quarter. Lo, 32, said after the game, "Playing here is tough, but we stayed physical and trusted our defense. Those tough shots we took all started with stopping them first."

Statistically, Barcelona shot a paltry 43.9 % from two‑point range and 31.8 % from beyond the arc, while Žalgiris cranked out 61.1 % on two‑pointers and 40.7 % on threes. The Lithuanian club logged 16 assists, eight offensive rebounds and a staggering 85‑72 final score, pushing their record to 4‑1 and climbing to fifth in the standings.

Kevin Punter, the 31‑year‑old American‑Italian guard, was limited to just seven points on 3‑of‑9 shooting. Remarkably, he missed a free throw after a streak of 51 consecutive makes, a rare blemish that underscored Žalgiris’ pressure on the line.

Valencia's Narrow Triumph in Milan

Across the Alps, Leandro Bolmaro, the 24‑year‑old Argentine‑Italian shooting guard for Valencia Basket, poured in an "incredible effort" that fell just short of a decisive lead. Bolmaro’s 22 points, including five three‑pointers, sparked several rallies, but the supporting cast could not sustain the momentum.

The game unfolded with a 21‑21 tie in the first quarter, a modest 19‑17 edge for Valencia in the second, followed by a 13‑26 surge from Milano in the third. Valencia answered with 24‑26 in the fourth, sealing an 89‑78 victory. Shooting splits showed Valencia making 18 two‑point field goals, 12 threes and 17 of 19 free throws (89.5 %). Milano struggled, particularly from the stripe, converting just 10 of 13 (76.9 %).

Head coach Pedro Martínez praised his team’s resilience, noting, "We kept fighting after the third quarter dip. Bolmaro gave us a spark; the collective effort made the difference."

Statistical Breakdown and Player Highlights

Both contests highlighted divergent styles. Žalgiris relied on efficient two‑point scoring (16 makes) and strong rebounding – eight offensive boards – while Valencia leaned heavily on perimeter shooting, tallying 12 threes. The top performers according to Performance Index Rating (PIR) were Žalgiris’ French guard Sylvain Francisco with 15.8, and Valencia’s American point guard Darius Thompson who posted 17.6.

• Žalgiris averaged 85.6 points per game, ranking 5th in the league.
• Valencia sits 15th, averaging 92.4 points per game despite a 1‑4 record.
• Both teams share a common challenge: maintaining defensive intensity against elite opponents.

Implications for the EuroLeague Race

The outcomes reshaped the early‑season hierarchy. Žalgiris’ 4‑1 start puts them within striking distance of the top‑four, while Valencia’s win moves them to 2‑5, narrowing the gap to the playoff‑bound clubs. Analysts point out that consistency will be key; a single loss could derail Milano’s aspirations after their 3‑2 record prior to the defeat.

Furthermore, the upcoming clash at Zalgirio Arena could be a decisive pivot point. If Valencia repeats its shooting efficiency, they could leapfrog Žalgiris, but the Lithuanians’ home‑court advantage and disciplined defense make them a tough opponent.

Looking Ahead: Kaunas vs Valencia

The November 7 meeting is slated to be a tactical chess match. Žalgiris will likely continue its physical, defense‑first approach, while Valencia may try to exploit its three‑point range. Both coaches have hinted at adjustments: Tomas Masiulis, Žalgiris’ head coach, emphasized “rotating fresh legs to keep the pressure up,” whereas Martínez said his squad will “push the tempo and create open looks from the perimeter.”

Fans can expect a packed arena; Zalgirio Arena holds roughly 15,000 spectators, and tickets have already sold out for the first half of the game. The winner could secure a top‑three seed, dramatically influencing the EuroLeague playoff picture.