The Lithuanian basketball team 'Rytas' is preparing to take on Israel's 'Hapoel', who have not won any games in their group, suffering defeats in all three of their initial matches. 'Rytas' previously dominated their rivals at home, winning convincingly 106-81. This match comes at a crucial point for 'Hapoel', as they enter the game with a new head coach, Predrag Krunić, who has stepped in after the dismissal of Yoav Shamir on February 8.

Predrag Krunić has an interesting background, having previously worked with the German team EWE Baskets Oldenburg before being let go in December. His appointment comes as a desperate attempt for 'Hapoel' to regain their footing and improve their performance in the league. They face a daunting challenge ahead, not just against 'Rytas', but also needing to overcome subsequent matches against Istanbul's 'Galatasaray' and Le Mans' 'Sathre Basket' to secure a place in the playoffs.

For 'Rytas', this match is significant as they not only aim to continue their winning streak in the Champions League but also seek to solidify their position and advance further in the competition. The group dynamics suggest that only the top two teams will progress, and both 'Holon’ and 'Galatasaray' are key opponents in this race, making the stakes for both teams exceptionally high.