By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Departures from Russian teams now include Lokomotiv Kuban vice president Ginas Rutkauskas. The experienced Lithuanian executive has parted ways with the team based in Krasnodar, the team announced Monday.
Rutkauskas, 59, held the position from 2012 to 2014 and returned in 2019. The first stint was highlighted by the EuroCup championship in 2013.
Before landing in Krasnodar, he enjoyed a lengthy stay at Zalgiris Kaunas. Other jobs feature a brief return to the Lithuanian powerhouse, Brose Bamberg, and Dynamo Moscow.
Besides Rutkauskas, the lack of air connections to Krasnodar forced the VTB United League to reschedule the approaching Regular Season fixture between Loko and Nizhny Novgorod. The game was moved from March 2 to April 14. In addition to various scheduling issues, the Russia-based league will be dealing with the withdrawal of Polish team Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora and Estonian outfit Kalev/Cramo, in order to complete the ongoing season.
The continuous effect of Russia invading Ukraine and the ongoing war wearying the Eastern European country has prompted multiple players and executives to leave their jobs in Russia.
CSKA Moscow officially confirmed that Georgian Tornike Shengelia, Danish Gabriel Lundberg, Lithuanian Marius Grigonis, German Johannes Voigtmann, and Ukraine-born Joel Bolomboy have either left or will be soon leaving the Russian capital. More similar developments connected to the war and spread all around Russian clubs are expected to follow.
The home games of Russian sides in both Euroleague Basketball competitions, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup, will be temporarily relocated to neutral venues.