Munich (dpa / lby) - The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich open their travel-intensive end of the year with an away game in the Euroleague at Zalgiris Kaunas. "Basketball is not just the number one sport in Lithuania, it's a religion," said Bayern's managing director Marko Pesic before the game on Friday (7 p.m. / Magenta Sport). Lithuanians are one of the surprise teams this season and are close to a playoff spot.

In captain Vladimir Lucic and the former Kaunas center Augustine Rubit, the Munich team are missing two key players due to injury. So far this season, the Bundesliga club has not even been able to play with its best line-up. "I let myself be surprised every day," said Trinchieri, describing the constantly changing personnel situation.

15,000 fans are there when the Munich team aim for their sixth win of the season in the Euroleague. "They won some games that they didn't win before and they have one of the toughest halls you can play in," Trinchieri warned of the uncomfortable Lithuanians.

After a short Christmas break, Bayern will continue against Heidelberg on December 27th. Two days later, the team from the Isar in the madhouse of Partizan Belgrade. According to the club, the Munich team cover almost 6,000 kilometers for the three away games.