The failure of Rimas Kurtinaitis’ team was decided by Kristjan Kullamae’s two-pointer with 0.8 seconds left until the end of the match.
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Having not spoken to journalists before the start of the training camp, Donatas Motiejūnas kept his promise and shared his thoughts after the first friendly match.
“Everyone always plays matches to win, even friendly matches,” said Donatas Motiejūnas. “We had a chance to try out combinations, to gel as a team. Sometimes such a result is better than +20 and thinking that you are the best in the world. We still have to go into matches with more energy and desire. We still have time, we have things to work on.”
The 35-year-old veteran played his first match since the end of March and spent only 2 minutes on the court, during which he only managed to commit a foul.
How much does D. Motiejūnas feel he has lost his basketball touch?
“I think it’s natural,” said the center forward. “If you’re interested, I can tell you that you don’t get the basketball feeling in training. No one is looking for complaints or excuses. We just played, lost, and are looking forward.”
– Donatas, did you expect to return to the Lithuanian national team?
– For me, as a person and a player, playing for the Lithuanian national team is the greatest honor. If by being here I manage to influence a few players, show discipline and heart needed to play at the highest level, my job will be more than fulfilled. Did I expect it? I said I probably wouldn’t play anymore, I was thinking logically, but my other half told me to be prepared. Women have a sixth sense, and I had such a feeling at the beginning of summer that predicted this.
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– How do you view the situation that over 20 players refused to come to the national team for various reasons?
– I see it this way: if they call, I go. That’s life – my job is always to be ready, not to pick players. I try to focus on what I can control. If you get overwhelmed and angry, what good will come of it? It’s ridiculous. The Lithuanian national team is the greatest honor, so players must want to come here and fight for spots here.
– What are your expectations before searching for a new contract?
– We’ll see, I’m constantly talking with my agent. There are options. Playing in the national team helps me catch form, catch rhythm. I haven’t played basketball for a long time, so the rhythm is lost, and the older you get, the harder it is to catch it. That’s part of life. I do everything possible. All of us, as players… Kobe Bryant mentioned that all players hope to be sent off with ovations, but often reality is different. Sometimes a career ends sitting on the couch waiting for the last call.
– Could your career circle back to the Asian market?
– There are all kinds of thoughts, but there’s no panic. Last season, when I got the chance, I played and didn’t fall out of context. I played well, as did the team, and the season was what it was. I would still like to play at the highest level, but life will put everything in place, we’ll see. You can plan, but someone above is laughing.
