2024-07-04 08:27:19
The Lithuanian men’s basketball team defeated the Ivory Coast (DKK) national team 97:93 after a difficult battle and secured the first place in the Olympic Games selection in Group A.
Marius Grigonis, who was one of the leaders of our national team, scored 18 points (4/6 doubles, 1/5 triples, 7/7 penalties), distributed 7 assists and finished the match with 18 utility points in almost 22 minutes spent on the pitch.
“It ended well, sometimes you have to win such a match, but it’s no good. It should have happened earlier, but I’m saying… we can’t find that game, the rotation, we’re uncomfortable with each other, but again… we came to win. For now, we are still on the road,” said M. Grigonis.
In this match, the Lithuanians earned three unsportsmanlike fouls in the fourth quarter alone, the DKK team threw as many as 38 free throws and easily scored cheap points.
Did M.Grigonis criticize the referees for their work in the match against African representatives?
“They concede a lot, we know they’re not at the top level, but they treat fouls one way, then another. They (DKK) play harder, with their hands, and they get less fouls. But again – in FIBA tournaments, the thing is that the best referees cannot come”, M. Grigonis taught.
In the match against the national team of Ivory Coast, the Lithuanians were close to making porridge.
Our team trailed by 9 points (65:74) at the beginning of the decisive quarter, and with a little more than 2 minutes left before the end of the game, DKK basketball players led by 5 points (85:90).
In the end, the Lithuanians didn’t really get out and celebrated the victory.
Does M. Grigonis see something positive after this match?
“I am not very positive about such matters. I don’t know, we felt a little bit better today, but… the only positive is that we won. This is a short tournament, there is no time to blame someone. Is as. We have to concentrate a bit, discuss together how we have to play,” said the defender.
Lithuanians will now have an extra day to rest before the semi-final match, and when asked what needs to be emphasized for the future, M. Grigonis had a suggestion for the journalist.
“You can come to our video screening room and we will discuss. We need to discuss the matches, see them, what are the thoughts of the coaches and players”, concluded M. Grigonis.
2024-07-04 08:27:19