2024-08-02 16:33:18
In the confrontation held on Friday at Santarvė Square, the Lithuanians fell at the feet of their opponents 18:19 after a persistent fight.
Having pleased the fans with three victories in a row, the Lithuanians entered the fight against the Dutch with an equal balance of wins and losses, and in the event of a victory, D. Novicka’s army could still save the opportunity to fight for a direct ticket to the semi-finals.
Unfortunately, the end of the confrontation turned into a drama that favored the opponents.
In the last seconds of the match, Worthy de Jong hit Gintauts Matuliis in the face and later scored points from under the basket.
When the final siren sounded, the Dutch had a three-point advantage (19:16), but the Lithuanian national team, which requested a review, achieved its goal – W. De Jong was awarded an unsportsmanlike foul, although the points scored by him should have been counted according to the rules of the game.
At the end of the match, the Lithuanians still tried to explain themselves to the referees, but after receiving the answers, they honorably admitted defeat.
It was the second time in two days that the Lithuanian triples basketball team played two games in a row on the same day.
“That’s not the point (in the episode at the end of the game), we have to go several ways, fight, we lost by one point – we always have to go fight to the end, every second, every attack we have a chance to win, that’s how basketball is.
It was the same this time, we came back, but you turn your head a little, you get a long shot. The concentration must remain until the end and resist”, said G. Matulis after the confrontation, who missed a blow to the face as the last seconds ticked by.
D. Novicka’s students had the opportunity to get closer to the Netherlands before – with more than half a minute left, the Dutch led by two points, but then the Lithuanians made a decision to choose a one-point shot.
“Looking for a foul”, Aurelijs Pukelis, who threw the throw, explained the decision.
Lithuanians will play the next match of the trio basketball team and finish the group stage on Sunday, facing the Serbian national team. In this match, the Lithuanians will try to improve their position more, so that a potentially weaker opponent awaits them in the quarterfinals.
“The winners are not those who will look the best in the group, but those who will look the best at the finish line”, continued A. Pukelis.
Results of the Lithuanian national team. Lithuania – Latvia 14:21, Lithuania – France 20:21, Lithuania – Poland 21:12, Lithuania – China 21:16.
Netherlands national team. Janas Driessenas, Arvinas Slagteris, Worthy de Jongas, Dimeo van der Horstas.
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.
The Paris Olympic Games take place from July 26 to August 11, and you can follow their progress and the hottest comments from athletes lrytas.lt portal.
2024-08-02 16:33:18