Aukštaičių g. 39 12 km 33 6 km 10 9 5 km 4 km 43 11 31 32 19 51 THE CITY OF Jonavos g. 3 km 3 km 5 km

Aukštaičių g. CHAMPIONS Žalioji g. Aušros g. Savanorių pr. 18 Žemaičių g.

Jonavos g. V. Putvinskio g.

K. Petrausko g. 44 A. Mackevičiaus g. 5 Radastų g. Kauko al. Benediktinių g. Šv. Gertrūdos g. A. Jakšto g. Maironio g. 46

K. Donelaičio g. A. Mickevičiaus g. A. Mackevičiaus g. 25 Savanorių pr. 8

Šv. Gertrūdos g. Gedimino g. Papilio g. 24 17

Kumelių g. E. Ožeškienės g. 4 Parodos g. M. Valančiaus g. A. Mapu g. Laisvės al. 22 15 16 Laisvės al. 7 45 Laisvės al. 13 Vilniaus g. J. Gruodžio g. 47 3 Vilniaus g. Rotušės a. 45 Nemuno g. 6 2 45 49 26 48 53 Santakos g. 14 20 D. Poškos g. Kęstučio g.

Birštono g.

Maironio g. M. Daukšos g. 52 Kęstučio g. Muitinės g. Kurpių g. Smalininkų g. 54 DaukantoS. g. Muziejaus g. T. Daugirdo g.

Nemuno g. A. Mickevičiaus g.

Gedimino g. Aleksoto g. Karaliaus Mindaugo pr.

L. Zamenhofo g. I. Kanto g. Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. Druskininkų g. 21 50 42

16 km Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. Miško g. 38 1 ŽALGIRIO ARENA 7 THE HOUSE Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50 Perkūno al.

Vytauto pr. Vytauto The largest multifunctional arena in the Baltic As impressive as its first owner, the Sabonis’ house in Žaliakalnis was built in 1991 and reconstructed in 2009. g. Trakų states and the home of the legendary Žalgiris 23 Vaižganto g. team and its’ sea of thousands of fans. The most convenient time to see it is, of course, on Attendance records have been broken here, mo- your way to the Sports Hall or the stadium (after the 37 mentous victories have been reached. This is the renovation is finished). go-to place for a true spectacle of basketball, and 4 km 36 fans from all over and abroad will be 34 35 there to attest to it. It is also a venue for the top 40 artists and musicians from all over the world and 2.5 km 1 hosts a number of different types of events. 8 TENNIS CLUB 2.5 km Sporto g. 3 2 km Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 1 41 Established in 1924 and brought back to life in 1989, the Vytauto pr. Bažnyčios g. Kaunas tennis club is one of the oldest organizations in Lithuania. Tennis was brought to the country around 15 SANTAKA PARK 22 RŪTA MEILUTYTĖ LIME TREE 29 MONUMENTAL STONE TO THE KAUNAS SPORTS HALL the year 1900 by Count Tiškevičius, as the first court was Laisvės al. 12 2 In the birthplace of Kaunas, where Nemunas and Neris OLYMPIANS Perkūno al. 5 built in Astravas manor. Karo Ligoninės g. 4 km meet, you will meet people running or exercising at any Just two weeks after Rūta Meilutytė’s fifteenth birthday, she A. Juozapavičiaus pr. (next to house 87) Girstupio g. The legendary sports hall came into existence at a time of the year. There is also a ramp for extreme sports struck gold in the 2012 London Olympics. In her honor, the record-breaking pace, as it was built in half a year enthusiasts, the Lithuanian Sports Museum and the loca- citizens of Kaunas planted a lime tree right in front of a mon- After returning from Lithuania‘s debut at the 1924 Olym- before the 1939 EuroBasket. Some of the greatest tion of the planned House of Basketball. The sports aura ument to Grand Duke Vytautas the Great. Look down when pic Games in Paris, the athletes planted an oak in Šančiai. Šiaulių g. basketball victories in Lithuanian history were you’re in search of it, the tree is marked with a special plaque. Despite the fact that no medals were brought back home, Kaunakiemio g. 9 NATIONAL FOOTBALL ACADEMY in Santaka Park is also complemented by artistic inclu- achieved here, both during the First Republic pe- Aukštaičių g. 51 sions, with a sculpture of an old-style weight designed and they paved the way for future generations and were com- riod and during the Soviet occupation. The Žalgiris sculpted by Tadas Vosylius. The half-meter weight lays memorated 84 years later. The author of the monument legend was nurtured between these walls, and once Besides training budding talents, this is the go-to place there with a weight of a ton. stone is Arvydas Rymeikis. the renovation is complete, it will continue hosting for professional and amateur teams in Kaunas to train. 23 SIMONAS DAUKANTAS BRIDGE The renovation of the academy in 2009 was completed basketball, futsal and handball competitions. The monumental pedestrian bridge connecting the by unveiling the Lithuanian footballer sculpture. Right LITHUANIAN AVIATION MUSEUM beside the stadium, in Petras Vileišis square, stands a of Kaunas and the Nemunas Island was built in 1988 when 35 16 HOUSE OF BASKETBALL Lithuania had not yet regained its independence. Neverthe- 30 ŽALGIRIS KAUNAS YACHT CLUB Veiverių g. 132 composition called Festival, marking the location of the Santaka park R. Kalantos g. 124 first Lithuanian Song Festival, held in 1924. less, from the very beginning the bridge was decorated with Nearly 20 thousand exhibits help us appreciate the rich his- The pantheon of Lithuanian basketball is still on the symbols of our statehood. On the 4th of July in 1996 pilot Did you know that Kaunas’ first yacht club operated in tory of our country’s aviation, both military, civilian and 27 3 S. DARIUS IR S. GIRĖNAS drawing board, but it is planned that this modern and Jurgis Kairys legally flew under a bridge for the first time in the very center of the city, on the Nemunas Island? After sportive. The museum is located in Lithuania’s oldest aero- STADIUM majestic building will accommodate all the past and the world (on the bridge, you will find a memorial plaque all, during the interwar period this was the location of a drome and draws in with exhibits such as ladybug-like glider M. K. Čiurlionio8 g.km Perkūno al. 5 future basketball victories and will emerge in Santaka dedicated to this event). He repeated his flight four years lat- winter port. Once the Kaunas Reservoir emerged with the inside or the steel birds outside of the exhibition. As soon as the stadium’s renovation is com- 10 KAUNAS BALTŲ AINIAI ICE Park by 2020. er, this time upside down. Right after his accomplishment, damming of Nemunas, sails soon became an integral part 30 plete, Kaunas will boast a stadium of the highest RINK the pilot met up with Formula-1 pilot Mika Hakkinen on the of Kaunas’ landscape. (fourth) UEFA category. The historic stadium was Aušros g. 42C bridge itself. first opened in 1925 and reconstructed soon after. Lithuania’s best figure skaters Povilas Vanagas and Mar- ANTANAS MARTINAITIS SCHOOL 36 JURGIS DOBKEVIČIUS In 1936, the first international football game was 17 garita Drobiazko started their career in Žaliakalnis. It PROGYMNASIUM played, as Lithuania defeated Estonia 2:0. It was the OF ART continues developing children who are looking to be- Šv. Gertrūdos g. 33 31 KAUNAS SPORTS SCHOOL GAJA V. Čepinskio g. 7 host venue for the first Lithuanian National Olym- 24 V. ADAMKUS PRESIDENTIAL Partizanų g. 180 come ice skaters or hockey players. Curling is also being 28 piad and has hosted the World Lithuanian Games, The building of Antanas Martinatis School of Art has seen LIBRARY-MUSEUM Jurgis Dobkevičius was still very young when he became Lieu- played here. Until the new arena comes to fruition, it is Kaunas’ largest sports school teaches as many as 15 sports: World Lithuanian Song and Dance festival, Baltic everything throughout its’ years since being built in the S. Daukanto g. 25 tenant and took the reigns of the Air Squadron. He was the 2 km also the home of the Kaunas Hockey team. badminton, boxing, cycling, judo, fencing, wrestling, ori- Sea Sports Games, European Athletics Champion- 18th century. In March, 1927 it marked the start of Lithu- first to carry out the death loop and constructed three planes. The future President of Lithuania lived in Žaliakalnis during enteering, table tennis, skeet shooting… The school’s his- ships, the meeting of Pope John Paul II, Europe- anian table tennis history. Lithuania’s first game of table Unfortunately, the third one ended up being a fatal plane for the interwar period. As a kid, he was fascinated by the tory dates back to 1951, when a Complex Sports School for an U19 Football Championship. Among the most tennis, organized by the Jewish sports association Makabi, him. Dobkevičius died testing it in the Aleksotas aerodrome. basketball games in Kaunas Sports Hall, to which he would Children and Youth was established here. The next page A progymnasium nearby the crash site was named in his memorable football events were the Lithuanian was played here. A memorial plaque on the facade of the 29 1 km sometimes sneak in without a ticket. As he was in Germany in the book dates to 1963, when the School of Sports Ex- honor and holds a memorial museum and a memorial stone National Team’s games against France and Spain, KAUNAS BASKETBALL SCHOOL school marks the occasion. during the war, he won a number of medals in the Games and FBK Kaunas’ pairing with Glasgow Rangers. 11 cellence was established in Kaunas, near the Institute of outside of it. ŽALGIRIS of the Suppressed Nations. You can get to know more about Physical Education. Pašilės g. 41 Valdas Adamkus‘ biography in one of the few presidential libraries in Europe. In the autumn of 2018, two of the oldest and most titled 18 SCULPTURAL COMPOSITION basketball academies in Kaunas, Sabonis’ basketball “THE RACE” 37 MARVELĖS EQUESTRIAN CENTER center and Aisčiai joined to become Kaunas basketball Kaunas castle roundabout 32 KAUNAS SWIMMING SCHOOL Marvelės g. 199 4 LITHUANIAN SPORTS Baltų pr. 8 school Žalgiris. The road to the top Lithuanian basket- As sculptor Tadas Vosylius offered his idea of race horses 25 VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY The oldest and currently only equestrian center in Kaunas UNIVERSITY K. Donelaičio g. 52 Sporto g. 6 ball club Žalgiris is now straighter than ever. running in a circle for the Kaunas accents competition, Olympic champion Rūta Meilutytė started her career here is located on a picturesque location nearby Nemunas. It has he noted that the Kaunas castle roundabout resembles a in Šilainiai swimming pool, which is well-documented in undergone a renovation from the ground up, starting in 2018 It’d be a tough ask to count all of the Lithuanian Since 2017, besides many other interesting study programs, race track. It really does! the documentary Rūta (2018). Thousands of young Kaunas and is planning to host international equestrian competi- champions and their coaches who have graduated Vytautas Magnus University offers the Sports Business MBA by EB Institute. It is the only international study program in citizens overcome their fear of water in these tracks. Wa- tions in few years time. from this historical institution. While it has gone ter polo is also played in the pool, as it often hosts various through several name changes, whether it’d be an GIRSTUČIO POOL Europe that is carried out together with the EuroLeague. Of 12 all universities in Europe, the organization chose the one in competitions. institute, academy or university, the achievements Kovo 11-osios g. 26 KAUNAS MAKABI STADIUM of its graduates have been of the highest level. 19 Kaunas. Another great thing about the university is that it A terrific place to learn how to swim, or just to splash Besides the Physical Culture Palace, planned out by (T.B. NONEXTANT) has got its own esports venue. 38 NEMUNO RING around when the weather isn’t being too kind. All in all, Jonavos g. Kačerginė, Kauno r. Vytautas Landsbergis-Žemkalnis in 1934, LSU also it’s the number one choice for all of Kaunas’ mermaids 33 LAMPĖDŽIAI ROWING BASE owns the track-and-field hall in Žaliakalnis. The present-day Jonavos st. was a Jewish inhabited area. Smoke, oil and screeching tires! The only circular racing HELLO! and mermen. Since up until 1858 they were not allowed to build houses STONE OF REMEMBRANCE FOR The wind is becoming increasingly favorable for rowers - a track in Lithuania with a length of 3350 m was opened in 1960 WELCOME TO THE CAPITAL OF LITHUANIAN SPORTS. in the Kaunas city center, the found home in Vilijam- 26 modern base for this sport will soon be opened here. Wish for a stage of the USSR rally championship. Most motorsports polė and on the other side of Neris, the current Jonavos ISAKAS ANOLIKAS the students of Kaunas Sports School Bangputys the best enthusiasts call this place home and would get hooked on the KAUNAS IS THE HOME OF ŽALGIRIS AND NUMEROUS street. A synagogue (that no longer stands) was built here, Laisvės al. 3 of luck! The atmosphere has always been sportive here: sport right here in Kačerginė. 5 ĄŽUOLYNAS PARK 13 TOWN HALL SQUARE the Lithuanian rabbi union was active, and in 1920 the The author of idea for stones of remembrance (german - the UNO adventure park is on one shore of the lake, while LEGENDARY BASKETBALL PLAYERS, AND HAS ENCHANTED sports and gymnastics union Makabi was established. The stolpersteine) is a german artist Gunter Demnig, who has wakeboarding enthusiasts gather on the other. The stadium, Kaunas Sports Hall, bike paths and We meet all our European and World champions, med- union owned the stadium that held a capacity of 2500 laid out more than 50 thousand symbols across Europe in EUROPE AND THE ENTIRE WORLD WITH THE POPULATION’S plenty more opportunities to take on sports or sup- alists and other deservedly sportsmen in this square spectators. During the Soviet occupation, the stadium was memory for the victims of the Holocaust. One of such stones 39 KAUNAS AIRPORT port athletes in one of Europe’s oldest oakwoods. It that once had a bazaar buzzing. The news of Kaunas renamed to Lima under a nearby factory. in Kaunas marks the location of the velodrome where the Karmėlava, Kauno r. as the European capital of culture was also announced DEDICATION TO THE SPORT. NEVERTHELESS, DESPITE has an interesting detail behind it. In 1938, as the first Lithuanian Olympian Isakas Anolikas trained. 34 STEPONAS DARIUS AND STASYS first National Olympiad approached, Napoleonas here. It is also the start and finish of the Kaunas mar- One day in April, 1999, all of Kaunas and a big part of Lith- GIRĖNAS AERODROME uania gathered in the small town of Karmėlava. Everyone Petrulis’ statue of a sitting man was revealed in Vy- athon and the location to celebrate the start of a new Veiverių g. 132 BASKETBALL BEING THE COUNTRY’S SECOND RELIGION, dūno avenue. The sculpture, dedicated to a healthy year. Town square is the heart of the city. 20 MEETING OF BASKETBALL wanted to see the newly-crowned EuroLeague champions with their own eyes, as they returned home from Munich. body and lifestyle, depicts basketball player Petras PLAYERS MURAL 27 RIO ARENA One of the oldest in Europe, the century-old aerodrome AND MOST LIKELY THE CITY’S FIRST ONE, TO BE ABLE TO Jankus, who was the torchbearer in the Olympiad’s Kurpių g. 29 Kaunakiemio g. 5 received its name after the tragic flight of . It opening ceremony that year. was the intended landing location for pilots Steponas Once the Lithuania men’s basketball national team We know a place in Kaunas where summer and white sand Darius and Stasys Girėnas. There has been more and CALL ITSELF THE CAPITAL OF LITHUANIAN SPORTS, KAUNAS 14 LITHUANIAN SPORTS MUSEUM brought back gold from Sweden in EuroBasket 2003, is ever present! Just missing the sea, you say? What for? more aviation festivals at the airport and the constantly Muziejaus g. 7 everybody celebrated, even those who weren’t really into The beach is dominated by beach volleyball, tennis and improving infrastructure has been drawing thousands of HAS TO OFFER MUCH MORE THAN JUST THAT. AND IT DOES. sport. The following morning, various artists wrote a badminton. fans from all over the world. Medals, trophies, diplomas, shoes, javelins, bikes, balls. thank you note on a postcard…which was a wall of one of YOU’D NEED NUMEROUS VOLUMES OF ENCYCLOPEDIAS 6 VYTAUTAS PARK Thousands of Lithuania’s best athletes’ memorabilia the signee’s office. and personal items form a small museum that was TO WRITE DOWN AND INTRODUCE ALL THE OLYMPIANS, The beginning of sports in Lithuania is considered founded by former sportsman Pranas Majauskas. This 28 to be the 13th of July, 1919. That day marks the first was the place Valdas Adamkus announced that he A. ŠOCIKO STREET sports event, or to be exact, the first track-and-field would be running for the Lithuanian President position. LOCATION OF THE FIRST In 2014, the city council decided it was time to commemorate CHAMPIONS, MEDALISTS AND FOUNDERS WHO CALL event to be held in the country. It took place in 21 the great boxer, coach and European champion Algirdas Šo- Vytautas Park, which was still called Petrovka back FOOTBALL GAME Nemunas bank by the Kaunas State Musical Theater cikas. Since the athlete was from Šančiai, his name was given KAUNAS THEIR HOME. THIS TOUR ROUTE IS JUST THE START in the day. With the initiative of Lithuanian Sports IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF VICTORIES IN THE FOOTSTEPS to part of the Siūlai street that extends in the area, very close Museum Director Pranas Majauskas, the location Although the first football match in independent Lithua- to where he used to live. OF IT ALL, AS WE STROLL OUR WAY TO VICTORY. was marked with a memorial stone. It was also the nia dates back to 1919. and took place in what is currently location of the first basketball and football practic- Vytautas Park, to get to know the roots of this sport, we’d es in an independent Lithuania. have to return to Tsarist times. PUBLISHED: 2019 BASKETBALL BOXING AIR SPORTS into existence officially, despite its appearance on the fields in 1960. The torch was passed on to 75 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS It sometimes feels like the ancient Baltic Steponas Darius was also the founder of Lithu- Part of the national defense system, a lifestyle Lituanica, as the continue writing the history of How did you lose your tribes must have played basketball on the anian boxing, as he organized the first cham- or a sport? Aviation is a very wide topic and the baseball in the city to this day. seven hill forts surrounding the city of pionship in the interwar. Lithuanian boxers Lithuanian history runs wide. However, all Lith- Kaunas. Truth is, we’re only getting ready won 10 European championship gold medals uanians know their heroes Steponas Darius and You can also get acquainted with episodes of Žalgiris to celebrate the Lithuanian and Kaunas and had a podium finish in the Olympics five Stasys Girėnas, who flew across the Atlantic, or TABLE TENNIS history at Žalgirio Arena, where an exhibition with historical Žalgiris virginity..? birthday of this sport. The importance of times. During the Soviet occupation, the fights Antanas Gustaitis, who constructed planes with the sport to the city is obvious in every between Algirdas Šocikas and Russian Nikolay a romantic name ‘Antanas wants to be in the The sport of table tennis came into existence photos and awards is ever-present. step, whilst the historic facts are just as Korolyov were a landmark event as seen as a air’ (ANBO) and his colleague Jurgis Dobkevičius more than a century ago and the founders of the impressive. All four of the Lithuanians true symbol of struggle for Lithuanian inde- (1900-1926). In more recent times, Jurgis Kairys was the Makabi sports club. 1944 - Žalgiris Kaunas Sports Fellowship was established According to a survey done in the summer of 2018, a that took gold in the 1988 Seoul Olympics pendence. (born in 1952) has oohed and aahed the world On the map you will find the location that hosted with USSR were from Kaunas. Besides that, with his acrobatic tricks. the first table tennis championship. The Lithua- in Kaunas. The first game was organized on the 13th of whopping 43 percent of people who consider themselves Arvydas Sabonis (1997), nian table tennis association was founded during October of the same year. to be Žalgiris fans admitted to having never been to the (2002) and Šarūnas Jasikevičius (2018) have TRACK-AND-FIELD the interwar, but soon came to a halt and was team’s home game in Žalgirio Arena. This was how the all been named honorary citizens of the MOTORSPORTS only reinstated in 1992. city. The first Lithuanians stepped on the big stage 1947 - Žalgiris triumphed in the USSR championship for unique idea of the #ZalgirisVirgin project came to life. The in track-and-field during the 1928 summer It didn’t take long for people to start racing once the first time. By 1989, the tally has already reached five. campaign encourages fans to stop setting the task aside SPORTS Olympics in Amsterdam. Kaunas is proud of its the car was invented. The national rally Around BADMINTON numerous Olympic and world champions, with Lithuania, that took off on July 24th, 1931, is widely and finally going to see a game in person, thus losing their FOOTBALL 1981 - Žalgiris participated in the European Cup winners‘ discus thrower Andrius Gudžius being the latest considered to be the start of motorsports in the The sport of badminton entered Lithuania Žalgiris Virginity and experiencing an unforgettable event. The first football games in Kaunas were one to step on the podium. country. The rally drew crowds of well-known through Moscow. During a festival in 1957, when tournament for the first time and reached the quarter- played a couple years before the end of the Lithuanians, including the president of the Re- a Chinese delegation introduced the sport. In The idea received the Gold Award at EuroLeague’s annual czarist rule. In the first inter-city football public of Lithuania, Antanas Smetona, who took the 1989 European youth games in Manchester, finals. Birutė Kalėdienė (born in 1934) was the first game between Kaunas and , the lat- Around Lithuania under his wing and was there Kaunas-born Aušrinė Gabrėnaitė took home Devotion Marketing Awards! Lithuanian athlete to set a world record, when ter team won 10:5. The first ever Lithuanian to award the winner. bronze, while Aivaras Kvedarauskas ranked she threw the javelin 57 m 49 cm in 1958. Start- 1986 - Žalgiris made its debut in the FIBA European football championship that was held in amongst the top 100 badminton players in the ing 1966, she worked as a coach in Kaunas and Visitors would be greeted with a newcomers’ #ZalgirisVirgin 1922 had a whopping 10 teams participat- world between 1999-2002. The brightest talent of became the president of the Kaunas track-and- Later on, Nemanas’ race track in Kačerginė kept Champions Cup, where they only lost to the Drazen ing from Kaunas! Nearly a century later, in recent days Kęstutis Navickas (born in 1984) rep- package, that can be purchased alongside tickets to the field seniors club and member of the Ąžuolynas the sports enthusiasts entertained. After regain- 2020, Lithuania, and of course Kaunas, will resented Lithuania in the Beijing Olympics, and Petrovic-led Cibona Zagreb in the tournament final. Kaunas sports club board. During the 2008 Eu- ing independence, the Lithuanian automobile game. It includes a team scarf and a Žalgiris manual with have the chance to host the world futsal took on an educational role afterwards. championship. ropean track-and-field veterans games, she set sports federation was established in Kaunas. We the team’s history, a dedicated basketball dictionary, the the world record for javelin throw in the wom- could go on and on about motorcycle sports in 1986 September 15th - After defeating Ferro Carril Oeste en’s 75+ age category. Lithuania, but the key take from the recent years from Buenos Aires (Argentina) 84-78, Žalgiris won the lyrics of Žalgiris chants, a list of must-dos in the arena and would be multiple-time Lithuanian champion SWIMMING other relevant information. After the game, the first-timers Arūnas Gelažninkas’ performance in the 2019 Da- intercontinental William Jones Cup - the highest kar Rally. By now, most likely every Lithuanian could name are also awarded a diploma with the coach’s signature, Ice hockey came to life in 1922 in Lithua- WRESTLING the achievements of wondergirl and Olympic achievement in the world on a club level. nia when Steponas Darius put together the champion Rūta Meilutytė (born in 1997). Her gold marking their first visit and outstanding support among the Wrestling is one of the world’s oldest sports and first ever Lithuanian ice hockey team and medal in the 2012 London Olympics encouraged Lithuanians have their own, traditional form 1998 April 14th - Having defeated Stefanel Milan organized the first game. Lithuania’s first CRICKET many to take up swimming, which is considered #ZALGIRISVIRGIN crowd of green-and-white fans. of fol wrestling called ristynes. The first Lithu- hockey championship took place four years to be one of the healthiest sports. We would also (Italy) 82-67, Žalgiris won the FIBA European Cup anian wrestler to have a podium finish in the Several hundred students from Southeast Asia later, in 1926. Currently, the sole represen- encourage an ovation for the first Lithuanian Olympics was Kaunas-born Mindaugas Mizgaitis currently attend Kaunas University of Technol- Winners‘ Cup, allowing them to participate in the tative of Kaunas in the national hockey swimmer in the Olympics (1972, Munich), Birutė (born in 1979), who took silver in the 2008 Olym- ogy and with their initiative, a cricket team was league is the Kaunas Hockey team. In the Užkuraitytė-Statkevičienė (born in 1953). The EuroLeague for the first time. pics in Beijing. The talented Greco-Roman wres- established in 2013. If you’d like to try out this meanwhile, few remained unmoved during sports veteran and academic carried the Olympic tler and multiple-time Lithuanian champion sport, contact the cricket ambassadors! the 2018 World Championship that took torch in 2012. 1999 April 22nd - By defeating Kinder Bologna (Italy) place in Kaunas, as they witnessed Lithu- was coached by his father, Valentinas Mizgaitis. ania take gold in their division. KAUNAS ŽALGIRIS 82-74, Žalgiris claimed the European basketball throne MORE KAUNASTIC ROUTES AMERICAN CYCLE SPORTS WATER FORMULA and their first ever Euroleague champions trophy. For more interesting places, objects, personalities and stories from Kaunas, visit the FOOTBALL The powerful water formulas, that reach a speed RUGBY The first bicycle race in the world took place in other It’s Kaunastic routes as well: Americans consider it to be a national treasure, of over 170 km/h is only slowly making its way up 2011 October - Žalgiris played its first game in the brand Lithuanian rugby counts its days back to 1868, but it only reached Lithuania after World while Lithuanians are slowly getting accustomed the popularity charts in Lithuania, but Kaunas “Modernist’s guide“ “Welcome to Kaunas“ 1961, when the first game was played. In War I. The first official race in an independent new Žalgirio Arena. By January 2018, 5 million spectators to the sport. The maiden official American foot- already has a European champion. Edgaras Riab- the face-off between USK Mokslas Vilnius Lithuania was held in 1922, and Kęstutis Bulota “Wallographer’s notes“ “The Litvaks of Slobodka“ ball game in Kaunas was played in 2017, and the ko earned the title in 2018. For the last several had already visited the arena, with the lion’s share of and KKI Atletas Kaunas, the Kaunas side (1896-1941) was considered the father of the sport Kaunas Dukes continue their search for new tal- years, the world’s top sportsmen keep coming “The Litvak Landscape“ “The Ethnic Trail“ emerged victorious. Throughout the last in the country. Bulota, Lithuania’s first partici- them coming to see a Žalgiris game. ent. The team practices both in Santaka park and back to kaunas for the championship stages in “The Sugihara Route“ “Ciao, Kaunas“ couple of years, we’ve been rooting for the pant in the winter Olympics (1928) died during Šilainiai, with Audrius Avižienis bringing home Kaunas Reservoir. men in green-and-white of the Žalgiris World War II, as did the maiden summer Olym- “Gastro Guide“ “Culture Shock“ the knowledge for the sports from California. 2018 May 20th - In the EuroLeague Final Four game for rugby team. pics contestant - cyclist Isakas Anolikas. “Kid-sized Kaunas“ ROWING third place, Žalgiris overcame CSKA Moscow 79-77 to BASEBALL claim bronze. That same year Žalgiris earned the 20th HANDBALL CHESS In 1885, Neptūnas, the first rowing sports club in For free publications, visit the Kaunas IN Tourist Information Center (Rotušės a. 15, Lithuania, was established in Klaipėda, which was overall and 8th consecutive LKL champions trophy and Apparently, the Grand Dukes of Lithuania would Having returned home to Lithuania from the The one exception from the Kaunas rule – still in the territory of Prussia. In 1913, a pier was Kaunas), in locations labeled with the Tourism Information Friendly stickers, or strategize battles over a chess board. Chess fig- US, Steponas Darius popularized numerous dif- defended their claim for the King Mindaugas Cup. Lithuanian handball traditions date back opened on the bank of Nemunas to which Count urines were found excavating the hillforts in ferent sports, including baseball. Two teams visit.kaunas.lt. to Klaipėda, 1927. However, Žalgiris Kaunas’ Tiškevičius donated several boats. In 1932-1936, Kaunas and locations all over Lithuania. With from Kaunas participated in the first Lithuanian women’s handball team has ingrained the Kipras rowing club, named after opera solo- the initiative of Kaunas chess enthusiasts, championship that saw its first pitch in 1922, LFLS its name as four-time USSR champions ist Kipras Petrauskas, operated in Kaunas. After the Kaunas chess society was founded on the and Aviacija. Historical circumstances stopped and two-time European club champions. regaining independence, Kaunas sports school 3rd of August, 1921. Aviator Antanas Gustaitis the development of Lithuanian baseball, and the Kaunas handball history continues to be Bangpūtys has developed a number of excellent USEFUL HASHTAGS (1898-1941) became the first-ever Lithuanian championship’s second iteration was only played written by Granitas-Karys Kaunas. roweres, including Rio 2016 medalist Donata chess champion in 1922. in 1987. In 1993, the baseball club Kaunas came #kaunastic #manokomanda #zalgiris Vištartaitė, Ieva Adomavičiūtė and many others. #visitkaunas #manopirmas Become a fan! TOURISM INFORMATION 40 BARAS 11 47 CASA DELLA PASTA Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50 Laisvės al. 29 KAUNAS KAUNAS CHALLENGE “KAUNAS IN“ A mini-museum inside the Žalgirio Arena bar. It is There are plenty of Italian cuisine fans on the Žalgiris ros- Žalgirio Arena Ticketing Office | Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50 | zalgirioarena.lt an embassy of basketball, where green-and-white ter. Don’t be surprised if you’ll have to look up at a recog- MARATHON kaunaschallenge.lt fans gather to watch the team’s road games and nizable big man. Rotušės a. 15, Kaunas | +370 616 50991 kaunasmarathon.lt Žalgiris Shop | S. Daukanto g. 8, Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 49 („Akropolis“) | zalgirisshop.lt discuss the hottest action after home matches. Accept a challenge and participate in famous [email protected] | visit.kaunas.lt 48 DIA 2019 saw the seventh iteration of the urban adventure race! Pick your course for the #kaunastic #visitkaunas #kaunas2022 41 SALA Maironio g. 9 first timers or athletes who wish to push their Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50 Kaunas marathon and it has been named Žalgiris athletes have nothing but good things to say about amongst the most important European limits or something in between and try seven The restaurant in Žalgirio Arena offers the most both the restaurant’s kitchen, and the impeccable service. different disciplines including orienteering, scenic lunch in town. If you ever head out to pur- running events. The reasoning behind it is a small variation of height in the track, obstacles, biking, rollerblades, water, ropes and chase a ticket to the game, don’t miss out on the other fun tasks. Get ready! chance to see it for yourself. 49 REŽISIERIUS which makes it possible to break records. Vilniaus g. 10 Runners are surrounded by picturesque VYTAUTAS VLADAS JONAS ŠARŪNAS KAZIMIERAS STANISLOVAS GARASTAS STONKUS Another go-to spot for basketball stars, where asian cuisine sights of old and new parts of Kaunas Žalgiris hall BIMBA KAZLAUSKAS JASIKEVIČIUS PETKEVIČIUS (born 1932) (1931–2012) 42 MCDONALD’S FAST FOOD is portrayed through a movie filter. and serene Lithuanian nature. No wonder (1927–2001) (born 1954) (born 1976) (1926–2008) RESTAURANT more and more foreigners make way to the HEAD COACH HEAD COACH HEAD COACH HEAD COACH GUARD FORWARD Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 18 1979–1990 1950–1958 starting line each year. 1962–1975 1994–2000 2016–NOW 1946–1951 50 MOMO GRILL of fame Even the Žalgiris players will confirm, that a cheat Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 18A day is good for you sometimes. Especially if you’re looking to go all-out during the game! Right on the way to the arena, or on the way back from Žalgiris history has counted a sweet sweet victory. Žalgiris training staff wouldn’t let LIKE BIKE us lie. likebike.kaunas.lt 75 years already. How well do 43 MCDONALD’S STAR ALLEY Savanorių pr. 321 you know the team’s heroes? 51 ARENA BILLIARDS Kaunas is looking to become the first city Arvydas Sabonis, Modestas Paulauskas, Tanoka Savanorių pr. 363 Beard, and are in the Baltic states to be completely fitted just a few of the notable Žalgiris players to leave The billiards club that opened its doors in the Autumn of PART TAKE for biking. The revolution began in the city their handprint in Lithuania’s only walk of fame. 2018 has raised the bar for this sports not only in Lithua- ARŪNAS DARIUS center and has seen bike paths make their ALGIRDAS MODESTAS VALDEMARAS RIMAS ARVYDAS The first prints were stamped back in 2004! nia, but in the whole region. Two floors, a number of ta- LAURITĖNAS SABONIS VISOCKAS LUKMINAS (born 1969) bles and time flying by. They‘ve got darts, they‘ve got pizza, way to other areas of the city. Let’s ride to- PAULAUSKAS KURTINAITIS (1932–2001) CHOMIČIUS (born 1964) (born 1965) (born 1968) CENTER they‘ve got drinks. If you ever stayed a bit too long and are gether? (born 1945) (born 1960) (born 1959) CENTER POWER FORWARD SHOOTING GUARD 1987–1995, 2002–2003 44 JĖGAINĖ about to miss the basketball or football game, no worries. CENTER SMALL FORWARD SHOOTING GUARD Sporto g. 3 1981–1989, 2001–2002, 1985–1996 1990–1996 They‘re going to be broadcasting it live. 1952–1963 1962–1976 GUARD 1983–1989, 1992–1993, 1979–1989 1995–1996 2003–2004 After a run, a game of tennis, a session in the sports club or beauty procedures in the nearby SPA, the body will always ask for some healthy food, bal- 52 ENTRY anced for a moving body. That’s exactly what Kęstučio g. 71 Jegainė offers. This billiards club was opened back in 2003 by two Lithua- nian champions. Be sure to ask how many champions it has trained through the years. There‘s plenty more to do there, 45 REPUBLIC Laisvės al. 57 too - you‘ll always have the chance to follow your favorite Vilniaus g. 10 team‘s games live.

HAVE A SNACK A HAVE Basketball, football and hockey games, Formula-1 DARIUS PAULIUS MANTAS and many other sports are a daily draw in these JONAS ARTŪRAS EDGARAS 53 REBELS IRISH PUB MASKOLIŪNAS (born 1971) (born 1975) JANKŪNAS MAČIULIS KALNIETIS MILAKNIS ULANOVAS bars. If your game is on one of the channels and Laisvės al. 21 there’s nothing bigger going on, feel free to ask the (born 1971) CENTER POWER FORWARD (born 1984) (born 1985) (born 1986) (born 1986) (born 1992) Fans of basketball, football, hockey and numerous other POINT GUARD 2002–2007 1995–2002, 2008 POINT GUARD bartender to turn it on! POWER FORWARD SMALL FORWARD SHOOTING GUARD, SMALL FORWARD 1992–1999 2006–2012, 2015 sports gather in this Irish pub to watch their teams play 2003–2009, 2010–NOW 2005–2009 2007–2011, 2013–2015, 2016– 2014–NOW and soon after exchange it for a musical spectacle. NOW 46 CAFÉ KREGŽDUTĖ Sporto g. 1 One of the first private café in Kaunas opened back 54 2 OBUOLIO in 1986 and has fed generation after generation go- Palangos g. 9 ing to the games in the Kaunas Sports Hall or the Before, during and after a game - you will find Žalgiris fans nearby stadium. here any time. As will you find football fans. It is the only bar in Lithuania that is dedicated to drinks made out of apples. Nothing but advantages!