Rytas Vilnius outguns Hapoel Jerusalem 104-95 in Club Friendship thriller

In a high-octane Club Friendship tournament clash, Rytas Vilnius defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 104-95 on September 14, 2026. The game was an offensive masterclass, with both teams shooting over 50% from the field and combining for 21 three-pointers. Rytas used a late fourth-quarter surge to pull away in what was a back-and-forth battle between two European basketball heavyweights.

The Club Friendship event provides a competitive preseason platform for top clubs, and this matchup lived up to its billing. Rytas Vilnius showcased their deep arsenal, while Hapoel Jerusalem proved they can score with anyone. Ultimately, Rytas's execution down the stretch made the difference.

Match Overview: A track meet from the opening tip

Both teams came out firing. Hapoel Jerusalem's guard Tamir Blatt set the tone early with three quick three-pointers, while Rytas Vilnius countered with slashing drives from Dominykas Giedraitis. The first quarter was a blur, with Rytas leading 28-26 after 10 minutes.

The second quarter was more of the same, as neither defense could slow the opposing offense. Hapoel's Suleiman Braimoh dominated the paint, scoring 12 points in the period, but Rytas's Martynas Echodas matched him inside. At halftime, the score was 54-51 in favor of Rytas, with the teams combining for 12 three-pointers.

The third quarter saw Hapoel briefly take the lead, using an 8-0 run to go up 67-62. But Rytas responded with a 10-2 run of their own, capped by a deep three from Giedraitis. Entering the final period, Rytas held a narrow 80-77 advantage.

Key Moments: Rytas's clutch fourth-quarter run

With five minutes remaining and Rytas leading 90-88, the game was still in the balance. That's when Rytas Vilnius seized control. Giedraitis hit a contested step-back three, then stole the ball on the ensuing possession and fed Echodas for an alley-oop dunk. After a Hapoel miss, Rytas's Tomas Kairys drilled a corner three. The 8-0 run in 90 seconds pushed the lead to 98-88, and Hapoel never recovered.

Hapoel's Blatt tried to will his team back, hitting two tough threes in the final minute, but Rytas iced the game at the free-throw line. The victory was a testament to Rytas's poise in a high-pressure friendly.

Tactical Story: Pace, space, and three-point shooting

This Club Friendship game was played at a breakneck pace. Both teams pushed the ball after every made basket, looking for early offense. Rytas Vilnius finished with 24 fast-break points, while Hapoel had 18. The three-point line was a major weapon: Rytas shot 12-of-28 (43%), and Hapoel shot 9-of-26 (35%).

Rytas's ball movement was exceptional, recording 28 assists on 38 made field goals. They consistently found open shooters against Hapoel's scrambling defense. Hapoel, meanwhile, relied more on isolation plays, particularly for Blatt and Braimoh. While effective, it led to fewer assists (19) and more contested shots.

Defensively, neither team was lockdown, but Rytas made key stops in the fourth quarter. They switched to a zone defense for a stretch, which seemed to confuse Hapoel's rhythm. Hapoel also struggled with turnovers (14), which Rytas converted into 20 points.

Standout Performers

• Dominykas Giedraitis (Rytas Vilnius): The star of the show, Giedraitis poured in 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 5 three-pointers. He also added 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
• Martynas Echodas (Rytas Vilnius): A dominant inside presence, Echodas recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 8-of-11 from the field.
• Tomas Kairys (Rytas Vilnius): Came off the bench to score 15 points, hitting 3 three-pointers, and provided a spark in the fourth quarter.
• Tamir Blatt (Hapoel Jerusalem): Blatt was sensational, scoring 26 points and dishing out 9 assists. He kept Hapoel in the game with his shot-making.
• Suleiman Braimoh (Hapoel Jerusalem): Added 22 points and 8 rebounds, dominating the paint but struggling with foul trouble late.

Season Impact and What's Next

For Rytas Vilnius, this win in the Club Friendship tournament is a confidence builder as they prepare for the upcoming season. It showcased their offensive firepower and ability to close out tight games. The chemistry between Giedraitis and Echodas looks promising.

Hapoel Jerusalem will take positives from their offensive output but must address their defensive consistency. In a friendly, giving up 104 points is a concern, but it also serves as a learning experience. They will look to tighten things up in their next Club Friendship fixture.

Both teams will continue their preparations, but this game was a reminder of the excitement of European basketball. Rytas Vilnius