2024-07-31 11:48:42
The national team of Lithuanian trios became another snack for Latvia.
The latter’s blows to the Lithuanian 5-on-5 national team at the 2023 World Championship simply pierced the hearts of basketball fans. What’s more, on Tuesday it was the Latvian national team that won the duel in wheelchair basketball at the European Championship in Sarajevo.
At the Paris Olympic Games, in 34 degree heat, the Lithuanian national team remained in the shadow of Latvia – 14:21.
After such a first three-man basketball game of Latvia, the national team could only consider what happened.
D. Novickas was open after the match – he said that he thought it would be bad because of the Olympic excitement, but he did not imagine such a scenario.
“I’ve never seen men play like that. On the contrary, it did everything we talked about. It’s really a thrill. There was no cold brain, nothing. Latvians jumped, pushed us out of positions. We always went to the same combination. We can’t throw from under the basket, we rush, we don’t throw. Some panicked. Three free three-pointers did not fall, D. Novickas said before the emotions subsided in the historical Santarvė Square. – The Latvians showed physicality, but we don’t need to do anything much – just what we have agreed on and thrown from under the basket. If we don’t make free three-pointers, throw balls at our feet and out of bounds, we won’t win anything in life.
We will draw conclusions, we will watch the game, there will be no training tomorrow, because it seems that men with bags are walking. I don’t know what it is. It pains me to watch because I know how they can play.
The coach, who is always famous for his emotional speeches, gave the result of the Lithuanian and Latvian national teams the name: “Tragedy”.
The fact that the Latvians, who won the Tokyo Games, arrived in Paris with a changed composition – without two important players – did not help in the duel.
D. Novickas also looked for consolation in the tournament table – the trio’s national team has 6 more matches to play, so there is still plenty of time to straighten up.
“We probably won’t go to practice tomorrow, we’ll rest and analyze. If we play like this, we won’t take 8th place, but 9th. Thanks to those who support us. It’s fun. Now we will talk to the men. They can definitely play better. Believe to the end and thank everyone”, said the strategist of the 45-year-old trio team.
On Tuesday, the question floating in the Olympic village was answered. Athletes from Lithuania and Latvia live in the same house. D. Novickas has already said that Lithuanians tell all athletes that Lithuania will win their duel, and Latvians – that their team will win.
President Gitanas Nausėda, who is in Paris and traveling to various sports, wanted to know the answer with the first lady Diana Nausėdiene. Producer Rolandas Skaisgirys, president of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) Vydas Gedvilas were also in the stands.
However, the hopes of victory against the Latvians evaporated very quickly – the Lithuanians had a hard time collecting points and defending.
The Lithuanian team scored 2 points out of 12, when the Latvians made 6.
“We are focused on the pitch all the time – we have our plan, the players look at me, we had special signs. Only if I show a combination, they leave, and one person runs the wrong way – that’s bad. We need to sit down and talk. Good thing we have time. We missed three free three-pointers. Šarūnas Vingelis missed, Evaldas Dziaugys throws three free throws – misses. The most painful thing for me is that we had to fight for the balls “50 on 50″ and I said that if they take the balls, we will lose, because they want more, – said D. Novickas and suddenly shouted loudly. – We must want to win. After all, we play for Lithuania!”
Next match. On Wednesday, the national team of Lithuanian trios at 11 p.m. 05 min. Lithuanian time will be played with French basketball players.
Lithuanian national team. Aurelijus Pukelis, Šarūnas Vingelis, Gintaras Matulis, Evaldas Džiaugys.
Latvian national team. Nauris Miezis, Karlis Lasmanis, Francis Lacis, Zigmaras Raimo.
Teams. In the 3×3 basketball Olympic Games, the USA, Serbia, China, Netherlands, Latvia, France, Poland and Lithuania participate in the battles.
System. The Lithuanian triathlon team will play 7 matches from July 30 to August 4. All opponents will be played once. The top two teams will advance to the semi-finals. 3-6 places – to the additional stage of the quarter-finals. The 7th and 8th place teams are eliminated and the tournament ends. The medal fights will take place on August 4-5.
2024-07-31 11:48:42