Lithuania’s 3×3 Basketball Team Celebrates Historic Bronze
The triumphant trio of the Lithuanian 3×3 basketball team, led by captain Aurelijs Pukelis and Šarūnas Vingelis, returned to their homeland on Tuesday after securing a historic bronze medal at the Olympic Games. The team expressed their longing to spend time with their families after missing them during their intense training period.
Head coach D. Novickas emphasized the team’s eagerness to rest before the upcoming European Championship in two weeks. He acknowledged the sacrifices made during their journey, highlighting the silver medal won by Mykolas Alekna as a testament to their dedication.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to be home,” said Novickas. “But we already wanted to go home. We’ve given everything we could.”
The players echoed the coach’s sentiment, expressing their desire to celebrate with their families and enjoy some downtime before the upcoming competition. G. Matulis joked, “It’s great fun. We brought home a medal, we get a lot of attention. I want to thank my relatives and everyone who supported us.”
While the team celebrated their achievement, coach Novickas expressed his vision for the future of 3×3 basketball in Lithuania. He believes the team needs to explore professional options, such as securing sponsors or creating a domestic league.
“We need to look for sponsors or create some kind of league,” Novickas stated. “Of course, that would be good.”
The team’s remarkable performance has captivated the nation. E. Džiaugys, from the town of Raseiniai, has become a local celebrity. When asked about the newfound fame, he modestly replied, “I don’t know, it’s not for me to decide whether I’m the most famous. If you say so, then great fun.”
The Lithuanian heroes were greeted by enthusiastic fans at Vilnius Airport. Coach Novickas hinted at the possibility of future public appearances, depending on official arrangements.