2024-07-28 14:44:21
The Lithuanians started the match more successfully and led 23:15 after the first ten minutes. In the second half, our team had a double-digit advantage (35:20) for a long time, but before the break, the home team managed to make a 16:6 run and the Lithuanian gap narrowed to 41:36.
At the start of the second part of the match, the Finns were already breathing down the backs of the Lithuanians, and in the middle of the third quarter, our team fell behind their opponents for the first time (46:47). T. Purli’s boys met the decisive half with a small deficit – 55:57.
The fierce fight on the floor continued – four sevens were burning on the scoreboard with one and a half minutes left (77:77). Then Kasparas Jakučionis realized two penalties, but the home team equalized the result with their own two points (79:79).
After a one-minute break, Nojas Indrušaitis’ shot went wide, and on the other side of the field, Mantas Juzēnas provoked an opponent’s foul in the fight for the ball. The Lithuanian scored one free throw, but the opponents responded with a two-pointer, leaving our team with 5 seconds.
After their meeting, the Lithuanian basketball players failed to organize a successful attack and had to admit the superiority of the home team.
In the victorious start of the Old Continent championship, M. Juzēnas was the most useful, scoring 10 points, rebounding 9 balls, making 4 assists and accumulating 18 utility points.
Among the leaders were K. Jakučionis (18 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 6 fouls, 14 points), N. Indrušaitis (15 points, 12 points) and Gantas Križanauskas (10 points, 11 points).
Lithuania: Kasparas Jakučionis 18, Nojus Indrušaitis 15, Gantas Križanauskas and Mantas Juzēnas 10 each, Jokūbas Rudaitis 8, Matas Buteliauskas 6.
Finland: Elmeri Abbey’us 23, Samu Adleris 21, Olavi Suutela 15, Eetu Heinonenas 10.
The 18-year-old team, coached by Tomas Purlys, is formed on the basis of the national team that won gold at the 16-year-old European Championship in 2022, so basically our team will defend the title of champions of the Old Continent won two years ago.
The U17 and U20 national teams, which have already completed their championships so far, fell in the quarter-final stages.
Lithuanians start the European Championship in Group D. After Saturday’s match with the Finns, on Sunday at 1 p.m. will play against Slovenia. The Lithuanians will finish the group stage on Monday, when at 8:30 p.m. will face Spain.
The playoffs will take place from July 31 to August 4. In the round of 16, the teams of group D will be paired with group C, where Latvia, Italy, Serbia and Israel will compete.
Team composition: Neds Raupelis, Arminas Vilkas, Armandas Bancevičius, Matas Buteliauskas, Kristupas Smirnovas, Mantas Juzēnas, Nojus Indrušaitis, Kasparas Jakučionis, Gantas Križanauskas, Mantas Laurenčikas, Steponas Žilakauskis, Jokūbas Rudaitis.
2024-07-28 14:44:21