"Many of the guys, such as Guillem (Vives), Nico (Brussino) and Caleb (Homesley), have played for many years in Europe, at major clubs, alongside great teammates and in high-level competitions. So I think that could be our strength," said the Lithuanian center, who also emphasized that the team has "shooters" and can play both "fast" and "at a slower pace and in a smarter way." "We all know our roles perfectly," he added.
Those various qualities were already on display during an encouraging preseason in which Casademont recorded three wins (Lleida, Tenerife and Murica) and two defeats (Valencia and French side Pau Orthez). "I think we have trained well. It has been a tough and productive preseason for us, and we have gotten a lot out of it because when you play against different teams, the tests are different too. It helps us a lot to improve and work on different aspects," analyzed the Lithuanian member of the Aragonese club.
Birutis arrived in the Aragonese capital after four years at Zalgiris Kaunas. Photo: Casademont Zaragoza
Even so, Birutis avoided setting targets for a season in which the Aragonese side will not compete in Europe and will therefore play one league game per week: "For me, the goal is simply to take it game by game. We have to focus on winning the next game and not look too far ahead. We need to prepare for one week, one game, and then we will see how it goes."
DEBUT AND RETURN TO THE ACB
Casademont will therefore open the new season against one of the leading teams in Spain: La Laguna Tenerife. "ACB games are always very physical. Tenerife, as I think everyone knows, is a different team that plays at a different pace with all those experienced players. They have their own style of basketball, but we have our weapons to face them," Birutis said.
The game against the Tenerife club will mark the Lithuanian center's return to the ACB, which he left four seasons ago after departing Obradoiro. "If you come back as the same player after four years, I don't think that's a good thing. I think I have gained some experience playing at the highest level in Europe, and I hope that will help me," said the center, who spent his last four seasons with Zalgiris Kaunas before joining Casademont.
