In the first qualifying round, the Lithuanian national team won 3 games and lost 3. This significantly complicated their path to the World Championships, as they will now face challenges from Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.
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To qualify for the World Championship, they will probably need to win five out of six games.
- The national team will gather for a preparation camp for the qualifiers on the upcoming Monday, August 10, in Birštonas.
- On August 28, the Lithuanians will face the undefeated Turkey challenge. After the match in Istanbul, on August 31, they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Vilnius.
It seems that in this window, the Lithuanian national team could have all NBA players, EuroLeague representatives, like other top-tier teams. But that is not the case.
In the last window, Jonas Valančiūnas, Matas Buzelis, and Kasparas Jakučionis will not be seen. Margiris Normantas, Arnas Velička, Ignas Sargiūnas, and Ignas Brazdeikis played in the previous window but did not join the team this time.
List of candidates for the Lithuanian men’s basketball team:
| Guards | Kristupas Žemaitis, Augustas Marčiulionis, Paulius Valinskas, Laurynas Beliauskas, Karolis Lukošiūnas. |
| Forwards | Matas Jogėla, Gytis Radzevičius, Justas Furmanavičius, Osvaldas Olisevičius, Mindaugas Kačinas, Ąžuolas Tubelis. |
| Centers | Regimantas Miniotas, Donatas Motiejūnas, Marekas Blaževičius. |
15min interviewed brothers Kšištofas and Darjušas Lavrinovičius, who have dedicated many summers to the Lithuanian national team.
“There are surprising names. Looking at it this way, many do not come, there is simply no other choice. I have no doubt that in this situation the staff and LKF chose the best players. It’s not critically bad. It’s not the names that play,” said K. Lavrinovičius.
“I think the guys will focus and show the best result. After all, players will play. The roster is definitely not bad and it will fight. There is talent, a bit of experience is lacking, but I really think we can play. The guys understand their task, responsibility, and will give their whole heart. They do not lack talent in basketball.”
During the conversation, he added that from the entire list, he is most surprised to see Paulius Valinskas, Justas Furmanavičius, and Mindaugas Kačinas.
His brother Darjušas agreed.
“Not all the strongest are in the roster. Those who are, they are also talented, we can definitely fight. We don’t know other rosters yet, but we will bite back. It’s a pity that not everyone can come…,” D. Lavrinovičius did not hide his disappointment.
“I think we gathered all the strongest from the available players. We have new, hungry players. Justas Furmanavičius came here for a reason – Arnas Butkevičius cannot play. We know Justas’s aggression and character. That will definitely help.”
The brother also emphasized that the roster includes familiar and well-known names.
“Osvaldas Olisevičius has a lot of experience and a high basketball IQ,” D. Lavrinovičius explained. “Karolis Lukošiūnas is a true sniper, Laurynas Bieliauskas can lead the team and make shots. The coach, I think, knows what he wants from these players.”
Both interlocutors mentioned that the roster is not the strongest – that is a fact. EuroLeague and NBA players are missing. Other teams are preparing to assemble the strongest rosters.
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- Kšištofas Lavrinovičius represented the Lithuanian men’s basketball team in 2003–2009, 2011, 2013–2014, and 2018. He won the 2003 European Championship gold, 2007 bronze, and 2015 silver.
- Darjušas Lavrinovičius represented the Lithuanian men’s basketball team in 2005–2009 and 2013–2015. He won the 2007 European Championship bronze and 2015 silver.
Could this become one of the advantages? The brothers’ opinions on this matter differed.
