Source: krepsinis.net
Andriy Voynalovych, forward for the Ukraine national basketball team, recently spoke with Krepsinis.net about his decision to join Taurage, shared his impressions of the Lithuanian league, and reflected on his time with Azerbaijan’s Sabah.
“Everything is great,” Voynalovych said about Taurage. “After being in Baku, such a large city, it’s refreshing to come to a quiet, compact town. Everything is close by, peaceful and calm. The club management is excellent; everyone helps however they can. I have no complaints.”
Originally from Kyiv, Voynalovych was asked if he prefers smaller cities despite his background. He smiled and replied, “For work, yes.”
When considering life in general, he added, “I prefer a big city. I’ve been to Kaunas several times, walked around and explored. I liked it a lot; it reminded me of Riga, where I’ve mostly lived recently. If possible, I want to visit Vilnius and see how things are in the capital.”
Asked whether he feels any impact from Taurage being such a new organization at the top level, Voynalovych responded, “No. The guys are experienced; everyone knows the LKL, understands how to play basketball. There aren’t many newcomers in that sense. Everyone knows how they can contribute to the team.”
Having played in neighboring countries like Latvia, Estonia, and Poland, Voynalovych shared his thoughts on differences he’s noticed compared to Lithuania: “I like the Baltic countries because they truly focus on basketball and its infrastructure. You can always find a gym to play in, facilities for recovery, and good food. In Poland and larger cities, that can sometimes be a problem, but in the Baltics, everything is nearby, allowing you to concentrate on your work.”
When asked if he ever works out at unusual hours, such as late at night, he laughed, “I wouldn’t say so. But if I have the chance to go to the gym in the morning to shoot some hoops or train, I do it gladly. Basketball is already a part of my life; I can’t live without it.”
Reflecting on his first impressions of the Lithuanian championship, Voynalovych noted, “So far, I’ve only played one match, but overall, my associations with Lithuanian basketball are tall players, an aggressive and fast league, and intelligent play. I like it. It’s an opportunity to test myself, my skills, and knowledge, and compare myself with other competitors who play in international tournaments.”
Regarding his integration into the new team, he said, “I feel great. All the guys are friendly, they show and explain things when needed. They also help on the court; it was easy to find common ground on what we can improve or change in our relationships.”
On the qualities that will define Taurage’s players this season, Voynalovych predicted, “I think we will be resilient and fight for victory. We will always give 100% effort on the court and strive to achieve the best possible results.”
He was also asked about the strong start made by Vaidas Kariniauskas this season, who delivered one of the best performances in the opening round. “He is the most experienced Lithuanian here, and I expected him to take on maximum responsibility. When the team needs him, he will be the one to bring everyone together, especially since he is our captain.”
Voynalovych also described the support from Taurage’s local fans: “I really feel it. I loved the atmosphere at our home games; a full arena is double the motivation to dedicate yourself to the game. When walking around town, people sometimes approach, greet, wave—it’s fun and nice that people are interested in basketball and value it in their city.”
On how Ukrainians are received in Lithuania, he said, “Yes, in Taurage I met a girl from Ukraine who has lived and worked here for three years. It’s nice that Lithuania always supports Ukraine and helps, so our people feel comfortable, safe, and can find a new home here.”
Voynalovych was asked if he had previous experience working with Lithuanians before his time in Baku. “I first encountered them in Baku when I had Lithuanian coaches, but I hadn’t played alongside Lithuanian players before—I was always on the opposite side.”
Discussing his second Lithuanian head coach, Thomas Rinkevicius, Voynalovych compared him to Rimas Kurtinaitis: “They are two completely different coaches with entirely different approaches to basketball and communication with players. They can’t even be compared. But I always enjoy working with Lithuanians; I can discover something new.”
Regarding his conversations with Rinkevicius and hopes for Taurage as a development platform, Voynalovych expressed optimism: “I think so. The coach trusts me and sees my role, which is important. I will try to justify that trust and achieve results—first and foremost for the team, and ultimately for myself.”
He confirmed he watches other LKL games to study opponents: “I definitely watch other games. I’m interested in seeing how other teams play, who their players are, and what they can do. This will only benefit me when I face them on the court.”
When asked about opponents he is particularly eager to face, Voynalovych said, “Of course, Zalgiris. No need for words. They play at the highest European level. It will be very interesting to test myself against them. I already had a chance to play against Valanciunas in the summer with the national team. I didn’t have to stop him personally, but maybe I will have to. I need to prepare both physically and mentally (laughs).”
He also expressed a desire to attend EuroLeague matches in person: “I would love to, if I have time. It’s interesting because I always watch games on TV but haven’t had the chance to visit an arena live yet.”
Voynalovych acknowledged hearing about the controversies that shook Lithuanian basketball this summer but admitted he didn’t know the details.
Turning to Ukrainian basketball, he said, “Basketball is alive. We try to keep it as good as possible. The season continues despite sirens and constant runs to shelters. Foreign players are arriving, of course, to teams that can afford them. Everything is happening, people are playing, and it’s encouraging that basketball hasn’t stopped.”
Reflecting on his last two seasons with Sabah, Voynalovych admitted, “Let’s say it wasn’t what I expected. My first impression of the coach wasn’t very good because, in his eyes, I was still like a kid. A player who never played basketball and didn’t know what it was. Despite some misunderstandings, we still pursued the same goal—a championship title. Somehow, we found common ground and helped each other.”
Asked if generational gaps contributed to difficulties, he replied, “I think that’s a factor. Times are different, the basketball system is different, and the approach to the game is different. Of course, some things that Kurtinaitis teaches about basketball are timeless and relevant always. Maybe it’s just the approach to him that differs. I can’t say everything with Rimas is good or bad because you can learn something from every coach regardless of their generation.”
Voynalovych described his two seasons in Baku as unstable: “It was tough until I proved to the coach that I could play and show myself. Then it got easier once I convinced him.”
He recalled some moments he found unacceptable: “There were times when our views didn’t align. He threatened to fight me a few times (laughs). Of course, it was all talk; no one fought. I chalk it up to emotions, especially after a painful loss—things like that happen.”
On whether players should discuss disagreements with coaches, he said, “I believe any problem should be discussed. I’m not saying it should be done publicly or in front of everyone, but it’s necessary to talk it through and analyze the points that bother either side. So we can at least have a normal relationship.”
Voynalovych confirmed that assistant coach Aurimas Jasiulionis tried to help him find common ground with Kurtinaitis: “Yes, he tried to put me in a more positive mindset, advise where it’s better not to argue, where to stay silent, and where to speak up. Rimas always said that even if he crosses the line, he wants the best for everyone so we can grow as players and individuals.”
When asked how he grew from the experience, Voynalovych smiled and said, “Morally, I definitely became stronger and more determined.”
He agreed that history and achievements mean little without a modern approach to basketball and people: “I think it doesn’t even matter what results or achievements you have. The most important thing is that a person remains human. No matter what, we are all equal, we all play basketball, we are on the same court, in the same locker room. The key is having a common goal and respecting each other.”
Finally, on signs that a coach struggles to adapt to modern basketball and should step down, Voynalovych stated, “Results show everything. If there are no results, I think it’s time to resign and bring in a new coach with new ideas to move in a new direction.”
