Riga's "Zeļļi" Make Dramatic Return to European Cup After Decade Away
Riga basketball club "Zeļļi" won their ULEB Eurocup debut against Italy's Derthona Tortona 86:84, with American Ben Shungu hitting the winning shot 0.3 seconds before the final buzzer. The victory reflects the team's aggressive, energy-driven identity.
Latvian basketball club "Rīgas Zeļļi" have returned to the ULEB Eurocup, Europe's second-tier club competition, after more than a decade's absence. Their debut match against Italy's Derthona Tortona turned into a nail-biter: the Riga side built an early lead, lost it, and fell behind with just 15 seconds remaining on the clock.
The winning shot
At the decisive moment, the ball reached American guard Ben Shungu. With only 0.3 seconds left before the final buzzer, he sank a difficult shot, securing an 86:84 victory for "Rīgas Zeļļi."
A team built on identity
The club arrived in Europe with a clearly defined playing style — aggressive defense, high energy, and a determination to make every inch of the court difficult for opponents. That approach already paid off in this first test. After the game, Shungu reflected on his game-winning shot and the seconds when the outcome rested entirely in his hands, also speaking about the work the team put in over the summer.
Head coach Roks Kondratavičs stressed that the win was earned not through loud promises but through the team's playing identity. Despite the grueling contest, Kondratavičs was willing to let the team celebrate properly before returning to work. Both the player and the coach emphasized that this victory is only the first step on the club's Eurocup journey.
