How a Tyrant Owner Screwed A EuroLeague Team

Summary

In the 2010 Lithuanian Basketball League finals, the legendary team Žalgiris faced turmoil, with their owner, Vladimir Romanov, firing coaches and even taking control of player rotations despite knowing little about basketball. After firing multiple coaches, Romanov appointed players as coaches, resulting in a chaotic situation. Žalgiris was coached by players, including team captain Dainius Šuliauskas and EuroLeague legend Marcus Brown, who led them through a rollercoaster of wins, losses, and even cash bonuses for victories. The bizarre saga ended in defeat as their rivals, Lietuvos Rytas, were crowned champions, leaving Žalgiris in disarray.

Takeaways

• 😀 Romanov, the owner of Zalgiris Kaunas, was a controversial figure, influencing the team despite lacking knowledge of basketball.
• 😀 Romanov's management style included using a skin gas analyzer to determine player rotations, creating a bizarre and unorthodox environment.
• 😀 Zalgiris Kaunas' coaching staff faced frequent turnover, with multiple coaches being fired within short periods due to Romanov's interference.
• 😀 In 2010, Zalgiris Kaunas was coached by two of its main players, including team captain Dainius Šuliauskas, after a chaotic string of events.
• 😀 Romanov fired coach Dainius Muscolunas during the finals series against rivals Lietuvos Rytas, which led to player protests.
• 😀 As a result of no coach being willing to take the job, Zalgiris was run by its players, with Šuliauskas and Marcus Brown stepping up as co-coaches.
• 😀 Romanov promised financial bonuses to the players for victories, with €3,000 per win and €1,000 for a loss, further adding to the bizarre situation.
• 😀 Despite Zalgiris winning game 4 of the finals, the team was coached by players during timeouts, with Marcus Brown being the most vocal on the sidelines.
• 😀 After the series, Marcus Brown revealed that he was forced into the coaching role without any preparation or consultation.
• 😀 Romanov's erratic behavior and delusional thinking, including offering insane salaries to players like Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, were indicative of his disconnect from reality.
• 😀 Zalgiris lost the final game of the series, and Lietuvos Rytas became the Lithuanian basketball champions, capping off a tumultuous season for Zalgiris.

Q & A

Who is Vladimir Romanov, and what role did he play in the downfall of Žalgiris?

Vladimir Romanov was a Russian-born businessman and the majority shareholder of Žalgiris Kaunas. He played a pivotal role in the team's downfall due to his controversial management style, including firing coaches frequently, interfering with team strategies, and making decisions based on questionable methods, such as using a skin gas analyzer to determine player performance.

What was the situation with the Žalgiris coaching staff during the 2009-2010 season?

During the 2009-2010 season, Žalgiris had a turbulent coaching situation. Two head coaches were fired, and at one point, the team was coached by its players after Romanov's drastic decision to remove coaches altogether. This led to an unusual and chaotic scenario where players like Dainius Šuliauskas and Marcus Brown took over coaching duties.

How did Romanov influence the team’s player rotations despite having no basketball knowledge?

Romanov, despite not understanding basketball, controlled the team's player rotations by using a machine that analyzed players' physical and emotional states. Players had to submit to a test using a skin gas analyzer, which would determine their readiness for the game. If the machine gave favorable readings, they would play more minutes.

What happened after Žalgiris lost game two of the LKL finals to Lietuvos Rytas?

After losing game two of the LKL finals, Romanov decided to fire coach Dainius Muscolunas, leading to a revolt from the players, who refused to board the bus to the next game without their coach. A compromise was reached where Muscolunas was given one more chance, but after Žalgiris lost game three, Romanov dismissed him permanently.

Why did Žalgiris end up being coached by its players during the finals?

After firing multiple coaches, Romanov couldn't find anyone willing to coach the team. As a result, he decided to let the players coach themselves, offering financial incentives for wins and losses. Dainius Šuliauskas, the team’s captain, was appointed as both player and coach for game 4 of the finals.

What role did Marcus Brown play in coaching Žalgiris during the finals?

Marcus Brown, a Euroleague legend, became heavily involved in coaching the team during the finals, even though no one asked if he was willing. He helped with instructions on the sidelines, and eventually, he was announced as the head coach for the next game, despite having no prior coaching experience.

How did the fans react to the changes made by Romanov in Žalgiris?

The fans were furious with Romanov's decisions, especially after the team was coached by players. They displayed posters with Romanov's face crossed out with money symbols and slogans like 'Honor cannot be bought.' This frustration was evident during game 4 of the finals.

What was the financial incentive given to Žalgiris players by Romanov?

Romanov promised the players financial bonuses based on their performance during the finals. Players were to receive 3,000 euros for each win and 1,000 euros for each loss, which was handed out in cash in a rather surreal and bizarre scene.

What happened in the final game of the LKL finals, and who won?

In the final game of the LKL finals, Žalgiris lost to their archrivals, Lietuvos Rytas, who were crowned champions of the Lithuanian Basketball League. Despite the chaos, Žalgiris fought hard in the series, but they ultimately fell short.

How did Romanov's actions impact Žalgiris in the long run?

Romanov's actions left a lasting negative impact on Žalgiris. His erratic decisions, constant interference in coaching, and lack of understanding of basketball led to instability within the team. After the bankruptcy of Ukio Bankas in 2013, Romanov left Lithuania to seek shelter in Russia, further distancing himself from the team.