2024-07-09 05:04:01
In the grand final of the Olympic selection, the Lithuanian men’s basketball team fell 68:79 against the Puerto Rican basketball team, which entered the Olympic Games after a 20-year hiatus. Read about the match HERE.
In a decisive but unsuccessful match, M.Grigonis scored 8 points (1/5 doubles, 2/6 triples), rebounded 7 balls, distributed 6 assists and collected 12 utility points in 26 minutes on the court.
The guard averaged 17.5 points, 3.8 assists and 17.5 assists throughout the selection.
“We lost against a better prepared team. Actually… there’s not much to say. When I’m in the national team, we lose a lot and change coaches… maybe we need to change players. I don’t know. poorly”, mused M. Grigonis.
“They disconnected and pressured me and Domantas Sabonis in the defense. Many nuances, zonal defense. We lost in every aspect. Respect to them. Good luck to them in the Olympic Games”, added M. Grigonis.
Was the leader of the Lithuanian national team surprised by the power of the opponents in defense?
“If you lose, you are inferior and you have to admit that. Maybe we didn’t prepare for the pressure, but… now it didn’t come to our mind, there’s no need to look for blame. I can take full responsibility because more was expected of me… we need to move on,” said the Kaunian.
30-year-old Lithuanian from 2022 He did not play in the European Championship and joined it only this year.
The Lithuanian still does not know the exact answer whether he will continue his career in the national team, but he sent an ambiguous message.
“Long season, playing two days in a row … takes its toll. There were no legs, no breath. Bad, I don’t even know. I’m a little tired of defeats with the national team. I don’t stretch anymore, neither from the talent side, nor the body anymore, bad… There are many young players who will come, change and be much better. Really. There is Matas Buzelis, there are many university players, I think they will replace us and be better than us”, said M. Grigonis.
When asked about the end of his career in the national team, the basketball player did not have an exact answer.
“I don’t know, now there are only one thought, it is difficult both morally and to explain to you (journalists – ed.)”, concluded M. Grigonis.
We remind you that the Lithuanian men’s basketball team did not qualify for the Olympic Games for the second time in a row. Before that, ours in 2021. did not compete in the Tokyo Olympics.
2024-07-09 05:04:01