History
Interwar period (1920–1940)
Basketball was firstly introduced in Lithuania indirectly through the European variety of Netball, featuring a smaller ball and no boards, brought by the Germans. In 1919 Lithuanian women athletes started organizing, and in 1920–1921 they started playing the game in public. [16] [3] [17] The female pioneerism of basketball in Lithuania was initiated by Elena Kubiliūnaitė-Garbačiauskienė who learned about basketball from Riga's football team members who got her acquainted with James Naismith's basketball rules which she then brought from Riga to Lithuania's temporary capital Kaunas in 1921 and translated them into the Lithuanian language. [18] [19] Women since 1921 played basketball in a self-made court at the Vytautas Park, which at the time was one of the most beautiful recreation areas in Kaunas. [18] Nevertheless, the female pioneerism delayed basketball's widespread popularity until the 1930s as it kept being considered a women's sport. [20] [21] In her memoirs Garbačiauskienė recalled that "it was not easy to spread the ideals of sports in a war-weary homeland trampled under the boots of foreign armies, and no one thought about physical education, let alone women's sports". [18] In the meantime, in 1922 Karolis Dineika released the book Krepšiasvydis vyrams (English: Basketball for men), and in 1926 pilot Steponas Darius, who would later be known for his transatlantic flight with Lituanica , published the first basketball rules in Lithuania. [22] [23] [24] Garbačiauskienė had planned to publish the rules of basketball in Lithuania herself, however due to the lack of funds and society's apathy to the women's sports she transferred the authorship to Steponas Darius. [18]
Despite the fact that women were the first basketball players in Lithuania, the first official game was played by men. [25] [17] Steponas Darius worked as a basketball instructor in the first Physical Education courses in 1922, after which the first official basketball game was played in Lithuania on 23 April 1922 when Lietuvos Fizinio Lavinimo Sąjunga (English: Lithuanian Physical Education Union) played a game versus Kaunas team, winning 8–6. [3] [24] [25] That day is regarded as the beginning of basketball in Lithuania. [25] The press at the time described the match by writing: "The game was very interesting and left positive impression on the spectators. The observers were fascinated by the game so much that they felt living in a quite cultured country by watching our quick, joyful players. ... The audience heartily rejoiced at the gameplay of the excellent basketball players and applauded after shots and passes by Steponas Darius and Viktoras Dineika. ... Krepšiasvydis game, organized for the first time in Lithuania, gave beautiful hopes that in the future this game could lead our sportsmen to greater achievements". [25] In 1922, the first Lithuanian women's basketball tournament in Lithuania was organized. [3] In 1924, the first Lithuanian men's basketball tournament in Lithuania was organized, featuring two teams from LFLS and one from Lietuvos Dviračių Sąjunga (English: Lithuanian Cycles Union), and a course for basketball referees was held. [3] [26] The first class included Elena Kubiliūnaitė-Garbačiauskienė and Steponas Darius. [26] On 13 December 1925, in Riga the Lithuania men's national basketball team played its first international game, which they lost, 41–20, to the Latvia men's national basketball team. [17] [27]
From 1926 to 1933, basketball saw its popularity decrease and get overshadowed by football. [28] Basketball was played only during the summer period because there was no suitable indoor arena, and the game was mostly played by representatives of other sports, who allocated little time to it. [28] The number of games played decreased, and the national championship was not even contested between 1929 and 1932. [28] It started to change on 10 October 1934, the day where the Physical Culture Palace was opened in Kaunas. [28] The building had a spacious hall with 200 seats, designed and built for tennis. [28] To increase grip for tennis players, the hall had expensive cork floor installed, which cost over 30,000 LTL (over $5,000) when monthly teacher salary at the time was around 350–500 LTL and 150–180 LTL for an ordinary worker. [28] [29] Being suitable for indoor basketball, the Hall hosted its first game on 16 November 1934, and soon became the main center for basketball events. [30]
In 1935, Lithuania decided to promote a World Lithuanian Congress in temporary capital Kaunas, inviting ethnic Lithuanians from many countries to unite the Lithuanian culture. The Lithuanian American community of Chicago decided to sponsor a team of athletes to participate in this Congress. The delegation included a full basketball team, which included University of Notre Dame star Moose Krause (Edward Kriaučiūnas) and his brother Phil (Feliksas Kriaučiūnas); basketballers Benedict Budrikas, Anthony Lauraitis, Victor Yanzanaitis and Julius Petrulaitis; and multi-sport athletes Konstantinas "Konnie" Savickus, Juozas "Joseph" Zukas, Peter Barskis, Michael A. Lukas, and Kazys "Charles" Sedvilas. [31] After the three-week congress, Zukas and Savickus stayed to teach basketball secrets to Lithuanians. [32] Savickus in particular became a player-coach to the national team, which had just been trounced by inaugural European champions Latvia, 123–10. One year later, with Savickus leading the team and exploiting stalling techniques, Lithuania trailed only 14–7 at halftime before losing, 31–10. The Lithuanian press declared it a moral victory. [33]
Also in 1936, Lithuania applied to become a member of FIBA and take part in international basketball competitions, [34] the first being EuroBasket 1937, the second European basketball tournament that the Latvia Basketball Association would organize in Riga as reigning champions. [35] Thus while basketball would become an Olympic sport at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Lithuania decided not to take part in the tournament, instead preparing for the following year. [33] During the Olympics, one of the gold medalists, Frank Lubin, was of Lithuanian heritage, and was invited to visit the Baltic nation by a Lithuanian official in attendance. [36] Going by the Lithuanian name Pranas Lubinas, he spent six months there and served as the country's first knowledgeable coach, helping spread various basketball techniques. [36] [37] Filling in for Savickus, who had returned to Chicago, Lubinas led Lithuania to its first victory over Latvia, 36-25. [32]
"Physical Culture Palace director Mr. Augustauskas asked me: Could you win the European championship? I replied: Why not? Lithuanians already made significant progress and with one or two athletes from Chicago we could easily win that championship."
The preparations for the EuroBasket 1937 started slowly, with players training only 4 hours a week. [39] At first, it was decided that the national team at the tournament would not include any Lithuanian Americans; however the decision was reversed with only one month remaining, once a Latvian newspaper Sporto pasaule had printed an extensive article about the second European championship considering Lithuania the weakest of all contestants. [39] [40] Lithuanian player Leonas Baltrūnas was shocked at the article and along with journalist Jonas Narbutas used a translated version of it to request the inclusion of Lithuanian Americans to Vytautas Augustauskas, director of the Physical Culture Palace. [39] [40] Augustauskas finished reading the presented article, hit the desk with his fist and asked: "Will two players be enough?", to what Baltrūnas replied "We only need a center and one good guard". [39] After a telegram was sent to the United States, two players arrived one month prior to the tournament, Pranas Talzūnas and Feliksas Kriaučiūnas, the latter of whom was designated as player-coach. [39] [40] To keep secrecy on how Lithuanian Americans were strengthening the team, all preparation games were cancelled and instead prolonged training sessions before the trip to Riga were held behind closed doors. [39] The national team was being prepared not only technically, but also physically. [39]
Even once the reinforcements were made public, opponents were skeptic, with Talzūnas later remembering other teams felt he and Kriaučiūnas were not quality players as "everyone thought that a good player must be tall, raising his hand and dunking into the basket." [39] Furthermore, another member of the Lithuanian team, Baltrūnas, claimed that the Lithuanians were accommodated not in hotel Roma where the chosen teams and more distant countries teams were accommodated, but instead in a more remote hotel (from the venue stadium) near the station and flea market. [40] Also, Baltrūnas pointed out that unlike other foreign basketball teams the Lithuanians when their train arrived in Riga were not greet with an orchestra and by none of the representatives of EuroBasket 1937. [40]
The efforts were successful—the Lithuanians in 1937 became the champions of Europe for the first time, defeating all their opponents and with Talzūnas being picked as the tournament's most valuable player, also it is believed that Talzūnas was the first-ever basketball player to use a hook shot in an official game during EuroBasket 1937. [41] Following the final victory over Italy, the famous Lithuanian tenor Kipras Petrauskas even interrupted his performance at the State Theatre to joyfully announce the triumph of the national basketball team. The crowd then rose to their feet and together sang the Lithuanian anthem. [42] [40]
The 1937 Lithuanian men's national team returned to a warm reception, with thousands gathering at a train station in a way Kriaučiūnas compared to "like we, here in America, greet the president." [43] According to Eugenijus Nikolskis, the Lithuanian national team's train was greet by Lithuanians with Lithuanian tricolor flags and banners just after crossing the Latvia–Lithuania border and were met with stops ceremonially in Joniškis, Šiauliai before arriving in Kaunas where tens of thousands of people gathered to welcome the champions in the Kaunas railway station and Vytauto Avenue through which the team was transported in convertibles to the Physical Culture Palace where they were congratulated by the Government of Lithuania, including Prime Minister Juozas Tūbelis, and subsequently by Lithuanian President Antanas Smetona. [40] The 1937 Lithuania men's national team members were the first Lithuanian sportsmen awarded with the state medals and orders of Lithuania (medals and orders of Vytautas the Great) personally by President Smetona. [44] [45]
As a result of the success in EuroBasket 1937, basketball regained its ground in Lithuania immediately, and had its popularity rise abruptly, especially among students. Gymnasium teams from almost all counties competed in student games, teams were assembled in firms and basketball courts appeared all around the country. According to future player Stepas Butautas, "In every yard hoops are being made from barrels. Children, teenagers are throwing balls into them, others—even a sock crammed with clouts. Our Veršvai Primary School teacher K. Požemecka built two poles, made hoops from a willow and said: 'We will play basketball'." [46] Future Lithuania men's national team head coach Vladas Garastas added that "as kids we started using a barrel to make a hoop. We didn't have a ball, we stuffed in grass or whatever we could find". [47]
Kriaučiūnas also coached the Lithuania women's national basketball team that did well at the first European women's basketball championship, organized in 1938 in Rome, Italy. With three victories in four games, the Lithuanian women finished second behind hosts Italy. [48] [49] The Lithuanian women defeated the upcoming European champions Italians, 23–21, but lost a decisive game to the Poles, 24–21, and due to the same amount of victories between three teams the European champion was named by calculating mutual games points difference. [49] [50] Italy's largest sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport announced elections of the best 1938 European women basketball player and 1938 Lithuania women's national team member Genovaitė Miuleraitė was selected for this title, while four other Lithuanians from the 1938 team were also selected to the top ten. [49]
Lithuania was granted the right to organize the EuroBasket 1939. President Smetona was the founder of the main prize and patron of the championship. [44] In addition, the Kaunas Sports Hall, Europe's first dedicated basketball arena, was built in half a year with a 11,000 capacity (of which 3,500 seated). [51] [52] In the competition, a large part of the Lithuania national team's roster consisted of Lithuanian Americans, with five American-born players: the returning Feliksas Kriaučiūnas (Chicago), Juozas Jurgėla (Chicago), Vytautas Budriūnas (Waukegan), Mykolas Ruzgys (Chicago) and Pranas Lubinas (Glendale). As a result, there were several protests from other nations. [53] The Latvians and Estonians refused to play friendly games with Lithuania if Lubinas would compete and the Latvians even suggested to limit players height at the EuroBasket 1939. [54] According to the 1939 edition of Lithuanian magazine Trimitas , "The biggest pillar of our team was Lubinas, 2-3 away players would run around him and protect him as best they could. However, Lubinas, being covered by the away players, did not try to shoot the ball himself, but knew how to pass the ball well to his teammates, who made the most of the opportunities. The second biggest fighter in a row was Mykolas Ruzgys. He knows how to concentrate well, is difficult to cover and shoots to the basket from various positions." [40] Lubinas, who was the designated player-coach, led Lithuania to a second continental title, even scoring the buzzer-beater in the decisive game versus Latvia, which warranted a 37–36 victory. [55] [56] Lubinas narrated to that time media about the buzzer-beater versus Latvia as follows: "I forgot everything I knew in Lithuanian. I prayed and cursed my partners. For the love of God, give me the ball! Finally, A. Andrulis, who spoke good English, nodded and passed me the ball. I turned and scored. That shot gave us the victory 37–36. The crowd burst down to the court and carried us on their shoulders." [45] Moreover, after the Lithuania's victory versus Latvia 10,000 people sang the Lithuanian anthem. [40] Later Lithuanians defeated the Finland national team by 103 points (112–9) and achieved the EuroBasket record of the biggest margin victory. [57]
Immediately after the final game of Lithuania versus Italy, which the Lithuanians won 41–27 and finished with a 7–0 record, the closing ceremony was held and Lithuanians were awarded with Smetona's presidential gift – a dowry chest made from silver and decorated with ambers. [58] According to the 1939 article (titled Kaunas: basketball school) by Marie-Eugène Bouge, a 1938–1945 President of the French Federation of Basketball, "basketball is incredibly popular in Lithuania. There are courts installed everywhere, even on private property. Everyone, or almost everyone, plays. It has become a national sport. The arena, which seats more than ten thousand people, was full every day, and the few thousand more spectators who came found the ticket office closed. The event was a great success". [59]
On 8 June 1939 yet another event with 4,000 spectators was held at the Kaunas Sports Hall to pay homage to the 1939 European champions during which they were awarded with Smetona's personal gifts (nominal watches) and other institutions gifts. [58]
National teams dissolution during World War II
After two consecutive EuroBasket titles, Pranas Lubinas intended to settle in the land of his father in the surroundings of Lukšiai in Lithuania and dreamed of leading Lithuania at the 1940 Summer Olympics. [54] Nevertheless, it remained only a dream as the World War II broke out one year before and the Olympics were cancelled. [54] [55] With Nazi Germany invading Europe and the Soviet Union occupying the Baltic states in 1940, the Lithuanian basketball players and basketball-supporting president Antanas Smetona left for safer countries such as the United States and Australia. Only a few of them had a chance to return to Lithuania in 1989-1990. [60] [52] As a consequence, none of the European champions played for the Soviet Union after the war ended. The EuroBasket 1941 was due to take place in Lithuania as well, but was cancelled due to the war. [61] Instead, Lithuania only hosted a Baltic states tournament organized at Kaunas Sports Hall in April 1941, beating Latvia 38–33 in front of 6000 spectators. [34] Two months later, mass Soviet deportations from Lithuania began. Juozas Butrimas, Siberia deportations survivor, once said: "Our whole sports club was falsely accused of participating in an anti-Soviet Lithuanian resistance organization. In Siberia, we built a regulation basketball court. Basketball allowed us to have dignity, to retain our sense of humanity. How did I survived? Basketball gave a lot. They didn't bury me there". [62]
During the rest of the war, with the Germans occupying Lithuania in November 1941 and the Soviets taking it back three years later, all the basketballers who did not escape the country went through difficult times. Vincas Sercevičius, often nicknamed as the second Lubinas, had to run away from German raids in 1943. Two years later, Sercevičius was a member of the Žalgiris Kaunas who refused to purposefully lose to CSKA Moscow, leading him and other teammates (e.g. 1939 European champion Mindaugas Šliūpas), along with coach Stasys Šačkus (1937 European champion), to end up shipped to the Vorkuta Gulag by the Soviets. [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] Basketball was a popular sport at the Soviet gulags among the Lithuanians and basketball clubs at the Soviet gulags were especially actively established after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953. [68] [66] The Lithuanian basketball clubs were established at the Soviet gulags which were located in Komi, Mordovia, Kazakh SSR, Omsk Oblast, Irkutsk Oblast and were named with patriotic names such as Geležinis vilkas, Tauras (depicted in the coat of arms of Kaunas), Pilėnai, Žalgiris, etc. [69] The exact number of Lithuanian basketball clubs which were established at the Soviet gulags is unknown, however there were certainly tens of them and when such clubs lacked enough Lithuanians then their teams were assembled by including Latvians and Estonians. [70] Moreover, it is known that frequently Lithuanian basketball players at the Soviet gulags played by being exhausted from hunger and that they used to save their food rations which they subsequently shared after tournaments with others more exhausted basketball players. [70]
Soviet period (1944–1990)
"Actually, Russia took over the Lithuanians technique and tactics. The last time I saw them was when I was in Prague with the French team. I wished to cry due to joy because the squad had four Lithuanians, one of them was team's captain. I spoke with Lithuanians several times, but I couldn't more."
In 1946, the first European basketball championship after the war was held – EuroBasket 1946 in Geneva, Switzerland. [52] Consequently, Lithuanian diplomat Stasys Antanas Bačkis, who has resided in liberated France and continued to represent the Independent Lithuania's Diplomatic Service, invited representatives of the Lithuanian diaspora to defend the Lithuania's 1939 European basketball champions title, ordered outfits of the Lithuania men's national basketball team and the team (which was considered by many contemporary experts as the Europe's strongest) began to prepare for the EuroBasket 1946. [52] However, the Soviet Union strictly protested against the Lithuanian national team's participation in the championship and the FIBA yielded to its pressure by not allowing the Lithuanians to independently compete at the EuroBasket 1946. [52]
In 1947 and 1951 Lithuanian basketball club Žalgiris won the USSR Premier Basketball League.
The first Soviet Union men's national basketball team was formed in 1947 to participate in EuroBasket 1947, immediately winning gold medals. The team had four Lithuanians: Stepas Butautas, Justinas Lagunavičius, Kazys Petkevičius and Vytautas Kulakauskas. [72] [57] In an early 1990s interview Kulakauskas described the Soviet national team by telling: "It could be said that there were the physical preparations and shootings, however all the tactics and the game-play was given to them by us. ... We gave the whole American school to them, which we received from the Lithuanian Americans." [73] According to Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, who being as a kid spectated live EuroBasket 1939, basketball for the Lithuanian youth was a symbol of Lithuania's independence, no matter what color shirts the Lithuanian basketball players sometimes had to wear. [74]
Given the Soviet Union was absent from the 1948 Summer Olympics, Lithuanian basketballers could only fulfill their dreams of playing on the Olympic stage at the 1952 Olympic Games, where they qualified by winning EuroBasket 1951. The Soviets got a silver medal, losing only two games versus the United States, who had a height advantage—the shortest of their players was still taller than the highest Soviet—and would soon become the USSR's biggest rival. [75] [76] The team was led by Georgian player Otar Korkia (17.3 points per game), along with Lithuanians Stepas Butautas (10.6 points) and Kazys Petkevičius (8.1 points). [77] Two other Lithuanians, Justinas Lagunavičius and Stanislovas Stonkus, were also in the team as players, while Vytautas Kulakauskas was an assistant coach. [57] [77] The four, along with Victorio Cieslinskas, are regarded as the first Lithuania-born Olympic basketball players and the first Lithuania-born Olympic medalists. [57] [78]
Four Lithuanian players represented the Soviet national team in EuroBasket 1953: Justinas Lagunavičius, Stepas Butautas, Kazys Petkevičius, Algirdas Lauritėnas, while Vytautas Kulakauskas was an assistant coach. [57] During the tournament the Soviet national team defeated Denmark with a margin of 104 points (118–14) and broke the EuroBasket record of the biggest margin victory, which since 1939 was held by the Lithuania national team (103 points), and eventually won gold medals by being undefeated (7–0). [57]
Years later, Modestas Paulauskas served as the Soviet Union men's basketball team captain starting in 1969, and led the USSR to an historic upset of the United States at the 1972 Olympic Games, making them the first Olympic champions other than the Americans. [33] [79]
According to journalist and future LKL employee Arūnas Pakula, "We felt like an occupied nation. We had no weapons to use. The only opportunity to prove ourselves against the Soviets was in basketball." [80] Despite not being able to challenge the Soviet Union on basketball court, Lithuanians still did that in another way. Basketball club Žalgiris Kaunas, established in 1944 (just a few years after the country's occupation) with a name commemorating the Battle of Grunwald, became one of the main non-violent resistance ways. [81] Games between Žalgiris and CSKA Moscow, a military basketball team mostly formed from best Soviet Union basketball players, were de facto games between Lithuania and the Soviet Union, and led to mass rallies of sorts once Lithuanians went to receive Žalgiris' players at airports after victories. [81] The teams from Baltic states even tried to help each other during the Soviet tournaments, most notably in 1973. [81] During the last round, the already qualified Žalgiris Kaunas deliberately lost to Kalev Tallinn, as admitted by Paulauskas: "We gave victory to Tallinn Kalev. That game meant nothing for us, while for Estonians it was crucial in order to avoid the fight for the survival in the highest league". [81]
Among the Lithuanian women who played for the Soviet Union women's national basketball team and won multiple titles with it especially notable were: Angelė Jankūnaitė-Rupšienė, Jūratė Daktaraitė, Vida Šulskytė-Beselienė, Vitalija Tuomaitė, who all in 2022 were recognized as Lithuanian basketball legends. [82]
During the Soviet Era of Stagnation and subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union, the success of Lithuanian basketball provided many moments to showcase their nationalism against the Soviet dominance. The 1981 students sport games in Vilnius had the locals attending in the Lithuanian green and yellow colors to see the national youth team led by Arvydas Sabonis and Šarūnas Marčiulionis defeat the Moscow squad. [81] In the 1980s, Žalgiris defeated CSKA three times in a row for the USSR Premier Basketball League finals (1985–1987). [81] One of their players, Sergejus Jovaiša, stated that in 1987 CSKA was even preparing a huge celebration with orchestra and flowers before the defeat. [81] Žalgiris also won the 1986 Intercontinental Cup in Argentina, receiving much support from the home crowd versus the Yugoslavs of Zagreb Cibona. Their return to Europe attracted a huge crowd, with Žalgiris captain Valdemaras Chomičius stating that in Aleksotas Airport "it seemed that the whole Kaunas gathered that early morning." [81]
"When after the war the Russian squad almost defeated USA, some were congratulating me, others were reproachful as they never heard that the Russians were playing basketball. After the war they were using these Lithuanians who I once trained. They took over many techniques and tactics knowledges. I was always observing from far when basketball traditions blossomed in Lithuania and gave such international stars like Arvydas Sabonis. I was proud that the Lithuanians shined more than the others in Seoul. It was mine team. Lithuanian team defeated the Americans, I was telling to the media..."
In 1988, Atlanta Hawks which included its major star Dominique Wilkins became the first NBA club to visit Lithuania and played a friendly game with the Soviet Union national team at the Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports. [84] [85] [86] Later, the Soviet Union squad became Olympic champions in the 1988 Summer Olympics for the second and the last time, defeating the United States, 82–76, in the semi-finals and Yugoslavia 76–63 in the finals. The team mostly was led by four Lithuanians: Šarūnas Marčiulionis (18.1 points, 2.3 assists per game), Rimas Kurtinaitis (13.4 points, 3 rebounds), Arvydas Sabonis (13.3 points, 11.1 rebounds) and team captain Valdemaras Chomičius (7.4 points, 1.5 rebounds). [87] Vytautas Landsbergis, the first head of state of Lithuania after its independence declaration from the Soviet Union, once said: "The majority of the team was made up of Lithuanians. So really Lithuania won that gold medal for the Soviet Union. But its name wasn't there. And that was another injustice that we had to correct". [88]
The Soviet national team failed to qualify for EuroBasket 1991 following Lithuania's declaration of independence on 11 March 1990. [89] During the 43 years where the Soviets had Lithuanian players, they managed to get with both male and female squads 17 Olympic medals (8 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze), 17 World championship medals (11 gold, 5 silver and one bronze), and 51 EuroBasket medals (36 gold, 4 silver and 11 bronze). [90] The occupation left many painful marks in Lithuania and Lithuanians' memory. Games between Žalgiris and CSKA, as well as games between Lithuania and Russian national teams, still have extra spice in them nowadays. [91] Singing of the Lithuanian anthem before the professional club's games in Lithuania is still a rare tradition, rarely found outside the National Basketball Association in Europe. [92] [93]
After the restoration of independence (from 1990)
1990s
"I believe that new Sabonis and Marčiulions will grow up and will create a new superb team again."
After Lithuania's independence was restored on 11 March 1990, the country wanted to stand on its own in the basketball community again, complete with the standout players from the 1988 Soviet squad – Sabonis, Marčiulions, Chomičius and Kurtinaitis – expressing a desire to represent Lithuania. The National Olympic Committee of Lithuania (LTOK) and Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) were restored, Lithuania withdrew its athletes from all Soviet national competitions, and both Sabonis and Marčiulions refused a request to play for the Soviet Union during the 1990 Goodwill Games. [96] [97] In 1991, the International Olympic Committee welcomed Lithuania back to its ranks in September, and in December, LKF president Stanislovas Stonkus attended the FIBA congress in Springfield, Massachusetts, and requested the right to be a full member of FIBA once again. FIBA president George E. Killian granted Stonkus' request and invited Lithuania to participate in all of the FIBA organized events. [98] [99] [100] Sabonis and his agent started looking for Lithuanian-born or descended players, sending phone calls and faxes over Europe and North America. [98] [101]
However, Lithuania's economic transition left the country in a difficult financial situation, and LKF could hardly count on state funding. As a result, the team had to search for the financial supporters by themselves in order to play internationally. Šarūnas Marčiulionis had experience and contacts in the United States from being the first USSR player in the NBA, playing for the Golden State Warriors. [102] Consequently, he, along with Donnie Nelson (son of Marčiulionis' then-coach Don Nelson), searched for financial supporters that could finance Lithuania's participation in the international games and the 1992 Summer Olympics. [103] George Shirk wrote a story about this on the San Francisco Chronicle , and once American rock band Grateful Dead read the newspaper, they decided to help the team. [103] Drummer Mickey Hart added that the story resonated with the bandmembers for being "a struggle for life, liberty and freedom." [103] The bandmembers donated $5,000 to Marčiulionis, and helped launch a tie-dyed jerseys trade that would feature Lithuania's national colors and the iconic, trademarked 'Slam-Dunking Skeleton' created by N.Y. artist Greg Speirs. [103] [104] The skeleton dunking a flaming basketball, nicknamed "Skully", was the artist's interpretation of how the Lithuanian team rose from the ashes to victory. [105] The artist's profits would be passed onto the Lithuania men's national basketball team and a fund for Lithuanian children. [106] The Lithuanians were favourable to the garish shirts because, according to Nelson, it was a great contrast to "all those years of those Soviet colors, nothing but blues and grays". [107] Arvydas Sabonis even said that "My first impression of [the jerseys] was: Wow, this really is a free Lithuania". [108] The initial version of the tie-dye jerseys was with a text in English 'Better dead than red'. [109] The skeleton, nicknamed "Skully", was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, being the only cartoon character to be enshrined in any sports Hall of Fame. [106] New versions of the Skully jerseys were featured in the following two Olympic Games. [110] [111]
To assume the head coach position of the restored Lithuania men's national basketball team, American Dan Peterson, then in Italy, was invited but declined. [98] BC Žalgiris manager Raimundas Sargunas became coach, but problems with the players made him demoted to assistant, a job shared with Donnie Nelson and Spanish Javier Imbroda, [80] who was invited following Sabonis' suggestion of a Liga ACB veteran. [112] [113] The eventual choice was Vladas Garastas, another Žalgiris veteran who was assistant in the 1988 Soviet squad. [114]
Preparation for Lithuania men's national basketball team's first major international tournament since regaining independence began in May 1992, as it was the first time a squad of players mostly playing outside the country could get together and train. [80] While missing Sabonis, Marčiulionis and Artūras Karnišovas, Lithuania competed in the eight-teams Nordic Countries Championship. They took the second place there, losing only to the well-known opponents Latvia 80–95 in the final. Standout players included Gintaras Krapikas (22.5 points per game) and Rimas Kurtinaitis (19 points). [115]
Afterwards, the country celebrated 70 years of Lithuanian basketball, and among the events was a competition featuring two Lithuanian teams, Latvia, Belarus, Finland, and Illinois State University basketball team. The superiority of the Lithuanians, now counting with Sabonis and Marčiulionis, made them handily beat the opponents. Following it, Lithuania national team was invited to compete in the prestigious annual Acropolis Tournament hosted by Greece, along with Italy and France. Lithuanians began the competition shockingly, immediately crushing the EuroBasket 1991 silver medalists Italians 116–94 (at one point leading by 87–49). Though, then they narrowly lost to the host Greece squad 81–83 and after easily defeating the French squad 109–78, took the second place. Despite not winning the cup, this was a perfect first major international challenge for the Lithuania national team, giving the solid hopes of success for the newly reborn state. Shortly before the opening of the Olympic Games, Lithuanians also overcame the Olympics host Spain 107–97 in Ibiza. [116]
"There is gold in Seoul, but here, as they say – the soul is put in, and there only the gold remains. And here – the soul."
Lithuania was among the many European independent states that due to the dissolutions of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, would return to the Olympic competition for the 1992 games. For the 1992 Pre-Olympic Basketball Tournament, held in Spain from 22 June to 5 July, Lithuania was joined by the debuting Croatia, Slovenia, Latvia, and Estonia, along with the non-Baltic Soviet republics in a Commonwealth of Independent States. [118] The latter was a particularly awaited adversary for the Lithuanians, as according to LTOK president Artūras Poviliūnas, "We have dreamed all of our lives about playing versus the Soviet Union. Although it's not called the Soviet Union any more, this game will be very important and very symbolic. It will be as important as the Olympics themselves." [80] With a trip funded by the Spanish city of Melilla, Lithuania managed to get one of the four qualifying spots disputed by 25 participants, winning all their 11 games in the tournament. [114] [119] The Olympic Qualifying Tournament game of 22 June 1992 versus the Netherlands men's national team was the first official international game for Lithuania men's national basketball team after more than half a century break, which the Lithuanians won 100–75. [100] During the 1992 Summer Olympics Lithuania men's national basketball team lost the semifinal 76–127 to the United States squad nicknamed "Dream Team" but won bronze medals after defeating 82–78 the Unified Team, which was composed from players of the former Soviet Union states, except for Baltic states. [100] Donnie Nelson described the locker room as "like winning the NBA championship times five". [120] After the bronze medal victory, de jure Head of State Vytautas Landsbergis visited the team at the locker room, and they all sung the Lithuanian national anthem. [121]
During the qualifiers for EuroBasket 1993, Lithuanian basketball had its biggest disappointment. Missing Sabonis but still with most of the 1992 Olympic bronze medal squad, Lithuania played in a three team group in Wrocław, and beat hosts Poland but lost to Belarus, being eliminated by the fellow former United Republic. It remains Lithuania's only absence in EuroBaskets following independence.
Moreover, in the early 1990s first actions were made to restore Lithuanian clubs leagues. In 1993, the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga (the premier Lithuanian men's basketball league) was established. [100] In 1994, the Lietuvos moterų krepšinio lyga (the premier Lithuanian women's basketball league) was established. [100] In 1994, the second tier Lithuanian men's basketball league, Lietuvos Krepšinio A Lyga, was established. [100] Since the late 1990s the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga is particularly known for its long-term rivalry between Lithuania capital city Vilnius team BC Lietuvos rytas / BC Rytas and the most titled Lithuanian basketball club BC Žalgiris from Lithuania's second largest city Kaunas. [122]
Sabonis returned to the Lithuania national team for the EuroBasket 1995 and the team advanced into EuroBasket final after 56 years, demonstrating the Lithuanian basketball's vitality and strength, in spite of all the previous difficulties. [123] The final was with the Yugoslavia men's national basketball team. The tense finale, where Lithuania had the support of the home crowd as the Serbs had eliminated Greece, [124] had Lithuania winning the close first half, 49–48. With five minutes remaining, Sabonis fouled out, as the Lithuanians were behind 76–83, later closing to 83–84. With Yugoslavia leading 87–83, Saulius Štombergas made a shot that was ruled out as the referee George Toliver called an offensive foul. Lithuanians protested the decision and received three technical fouls (first Sabonis, then Marčiulionis and then the whole team), leading them to leave the court in protest, only returning when persuaded by the Serbs. Aleksandar Đorđević, the game's overall top scorer with 41 points, scored all three free-throws. Lithuania eventually lost the game 90–96. [124] [125] After the final whistle, Greek fans shouted "Lithuania is the champion" and booed Yugoslavia during the medal ceremony, which also had the third-placed Croatians leaving for the Yugoslavs – who were still waging a war against Croatia. [126] Marčiulionis, who was named tournament MVP, later stated that "we felt robbed and we still feel that", while acknowledging that despite the questionable refereeing, the silver medal came due to a lack of depth in the Lithuanian bench along with the Yugoslavs knowing "how to provoke other players and initiate psychological battles". [127]
On May 14, 1993, the Lithuania women's national basketball team played its first international game since the interwar period and defeated Greece, 77–74. [50] In 1995, the Lithuanian women's national team qualified for the EuroBasket Women 1995 and returned to the EuroBasket Women for the first time since 1938 (finished fifth). [50]
The 1996 Summer Olympics were the last international tournament with the Lithuania men's national team for Olympic champions Marčiulionis and Kurtinaitis. The Lithuanians started their second Olympics by beating 1992 Olympic vice-champions Croatia – led by Toni Kukoč, Stojko Vranković, and Dino Rađa – 83–81 in a tough match with two overtimes, however later lost to Argentine, 61–65, and the host United States, 82–104, but defeated Angola (85–49) and China (116–55). [128] In the quarterfinal game the Lithuanians crushed Greeks 99–66. [128] The Olympic semifinal match awaited with powerhouse Yugoslavia, undefeated that far and inspiring the Lithuanians to avenge the 1995 EuroBasket final, however the Lithuanians lost the game 58–66. [128] [129] Sabonis was the driving force of the bronze medal game, neutralizing defender Mark Bradtke on the way to 30 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocks, and by defeating Australia (80–74) the Lithuanians again won bronze medal. [128]
While selecting its squad for the EuroBasket 1997, Lithuania retained only two primary players from the 1995 silver medalists: Artūras Karnišovas and Gintaras Einikis. [130] The so-called "golden generation" was replaced by up-and-coming youngsters such as Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Dainius Adomaitis, Virginijus Praškevičius, and Eurelijus Žukauskas. [131] Furthermore, Jonas Kazlauskas took over as head coach. Lithuania managed to win all games in the group stage. [130] The second round lead to tougher times to the Lithuanians, winning only against Turkey while losing to Greece and Russia. [130] The poor performance lead them to face defending champions Yugoslavia, who beat Lithuania 75–60 on the way to another title. [130] Lithuania finished the tournament sixth and qualified to their first-ever FIBA World Championship. [130]
The Lithuania women's national basketball team by losing some key players from the previous years travelled to the EuroBasket 1997 Women with reserved expectations. [50] However, the Lithuanians, coached by Vydas Gedvilas, won four of five games in the group phase, in the quarterfinal defeated Moldova (68–53), in the semi-final defeated Germany after OT (78–77), confidently defeated Slovenia in the final (72–62) and won the first EuroBasket Women title for Lithuania. [50] Jurgita Štreimikytė was included into the All-Tournament Team. [50]
Debuting in its first FIBA World Championship at the 1998 FIBA World Championship with a young roster, the Lithuania men's national team went undefeated in the group stage, crushing South Korea 97–56 before beating a United States team lacking the NBA elite due to a lockout (84–82), [132] and a close defeat of Brazil, 66–62. [133] The second round was tougher for Lithuania, who lost to Australia 61–71, and despite beating Argentina 84–75, wound up losing in overtime to Spain, 80–86. [133] A quarterfinal against Russia ensued, and while the Lithuanians had beaten them two weeks before and had a 38–35 advantage at halftime, the Russians beat the inexperienced team by 82–67. [133] Following the consolation tournament with a loss to Italy and a win over Argentina, Lithuania finished in seventh place. [133] However, the equal games and especially the victory over the United States were promising for the young Lithuanian squad. [133]
In 1999, BC Žalgiris won the EuroLeague tournament. [122]
Lithuanian superstar Sabonis (then 34 years old) and Karnišovas returned to the Lithuania men's national team for their last FIBA international tournament at EuroBasket 1999. [134] The tournament started with a surprise, as an underdog Czech Republic beat Lithuania 78–62. [134] Afterwards, the Lithuanian team found its stride and won the five following games in the first and second rounds. [134] Reaching the knockout rounds, Lithuanians were favorites against Spain, but lost by a close 74–72 score. [134] Two wins in the consolation tournament gave Lithuania the fifth place and a qualifying spot for the 2000 Summer Olympics, while the solid performances by the young Štombergas and Jasikevičius gave a bright outset for their future. [134]
2000s
During the 1999–2000 season BC Lietuvos rytas defeated BC Žalgiris during the LKL Finals, becoming the first Lithuanian champions other than BC Žalgiris, and further fueled their rivalry. [122]
The 2000 Olympic tournament marked another time of renovation for Lithuania. The only veterans, Saulius Štombergas and Eurelijus Žukauskas, were reserves at the 1996 Olympics, while eight players were Olympic debutants: Ramūnas Šiškauskas, Darius Songaila, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Mindaugas Timinskas, Andrius Giedraitis, Kęstutis Marčiulionis, Darius Maskoliūnas and Tomas Masiulis. [135] In the group phase the Lithuanians lost to Italy (48–50), then crushed the upcoming Olympic vice-champions France (81–63), gave the third incarnation of the United States "Dream Team" the toughest matchup since the NBA players joined United State team and lost just 85–76, defeated China (82–66), Australia (75–85). [135] In the quarterfinal the Lithuanians for the first time defeated Yugoslavia (76–63), while in the semifinal the Lithuanians nearly beat the United States, but a last second long shot by Jasikevičius was an air ball, and the United States with NBA players managed its smallest victory ever (85–83). [136] [137] The United States widely covered how the small nation nearly upset a team that seemed previously unbeatable in previous tournaments. [136] Eventually, the Lithuanians won their third consecutive Olympic bronze medal by defeating hosts Australia (89–71). [136]
The EuroBasket 2001 ended as an unexpected failure to Lithuania. The group stage started with two victories, 82–60 over Ukraine and 68–59 with Israel, before losing to France 65–76, and a match versus Latvia could have gave a spot in the knockout stages, but the Lithuanians lost the game 64–94, lost all the chances of participating in the 2002 FIBA World Championship and could have even missed the next EuroBasket, thus Kazlauskas resigned as head coach. [138] The same year the Lietuvos moksleivių krepšinio lyga (the Lithuanian pupils basketball league) was established in Lithuania. [100]
The Lithuanians managed to qualify to the EuroBasket 2003 by winning all ten qualification games. [139] The renewed Lithuania men's national team, coached by head coach Antanas Sireika, was led by Jasikevičius, Arvydas Macijauskas, Šiškauskas and Štombergas. [140] The Lithuanians finished the group phase with a 3–0 record (defeated Latvia, Israel, Germany), then defeated Serbia and Montenegro in the quarterfinal (98–82), France in the semifinal (70–74) and after defeating Spain in the final (93–84) won Lithuania's third EuroBasket men's title after a 64-year hiatus, while Jasikevičius was named the FIBA EuroBasket MVP. [141]
For the 2004 Olympics, basketball team captain Štombergas was given the honor to bear the Lithuanian flag during the opening ceremony. [142] The Lithuanians won all five games in the group phase, including their first 94–90 Olympic victory versus the United States team composed from NBA players like Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, etc. [143] [144] In the quarterfinals Lithuanians easily swept China 95–75, however in the semifinal Lithuanians were defeated 91–100 by Italians, who shattered the Lithuanian dream of Olympic gold. [142] Playing for the bronze medal the Lithuanians again faced the United States who revanche 104–96 and left the Lithuanians without Olympic medals for the first time. [142]
In 2005, BC Lietuvos rytas won the second-tier European league, EuroCup, thus in the 2005–2006 season BC Lietuvos rytas debuted in the top-tier European league, EuroLeague, and it was the first time when two Lithuanian clubs (together with BC Žalgiris) competed in the top-tier European basketball league. [145]
Starting the EuroBasket 2005 as defending champions, Lithuania men's national team initially proved their favoritism by beating Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria with solid differences, however in the quarterfinal Lithuanians poorly attacked the basket and suffered a defeat to France (47–63), while after defeating Russia and Slovenia finished fifth. [146]
During the 2006 FIBA World Championship Lithuania men's national team finished the group phase with a 3–2 record by losing to Turkey (76–74) and Greeks (76–81), but defeated Qatar (106–65), Australia (57–78), and Brazil (79–74). [147] In the knockout round Lithuanians firstly defeated Italy (71–68), but in the quarterfinal were crushed with a 22 points margin by eventual champions Spain, then also lost to Turkey (95–84) and after defeating Germany (77–62) they finished seventh. [147] Following it, coach Sireika resigned and was replaced by Ramūnas Butautas.
The Lithuanians started the preliminary round of the EuroBasket 2007 with a 3–0 record (defeated Turkey, Czech Republic, Germany), then won all three games in the second round (versus Italy, France, Slovenia), in the quarter-final defeated Croatia (74–72), but in the semifinal they met with Russia, led by a Russian star Andrei Kirilenko and a naturalized American Jon Robert Holden, and lost the game (86–74), but won a bronze medal after defeating Greece, 69–78. [148]
In 2007–2008, Lithuanian basketball clubs BC Žalgiris and BC Lietuvos rytas played their first friendly games versus the NBA teams. [86]
Preparing for the 2008 Olympics the Lithuanians sought to include to their roster for the first time in a major tournament a two-time NBA All-Star Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, however the Cleveland Cavaliers prohibited him from playing in the Olympics due to previous injuries. [149] Jasikevičius was given the honor to bear the flag of Lithuania at the opening ceremony. In the group stage Lithuanians finished with a 4–1 record (defeated Argentina, Iran, Russia, Croatia, but lost to Australia), in the quarterfinal defeated China (94–68), but in the semifinal after an intensive matchup lost to Spain (86–91), and then failed to defeat Argentina for the second time while playing for the bronze medal (75–87). [150]
In 2009, BC Lietuvos rytas won the second-tier European league, EuroCup, for a second time. [145]
Before the EuroBasket 2009, Lithuanian stars like Jasikevičius, Šiškauskas, Songaila, Macijauskas, Kaukėnas and Ilgauskas decided not to join the national team and the tournament turned out to be a disastrous performance for Lithuania. In the preliminary round the Lithuanians lost to Turkey (84–76), Poland (75–86) and only defeated Bulgaria (84–69) to qualify to the second round where they lost all three games to: Slovenia (58–81), Spain (84–70), Serbia (79–89) and after failing to advance to the knockout stage finished only in 11–12th place. [151] Following it, coach Butautas resigned and was replaced by Kęstutis Kemzūra.
On 12 December 2009, Lithuania was granted a wild card to participate in the 2010 FIBA World Championship the following year. [152]
2010s
Lithuanian stars Jasikevičius, Šiškauskas, Songaila, Macijauskas, Kaukėnas and Ilgauskas again were not in the Lithuania men's national team roster during the 2010 FIBA World Championship, however the Lithuanians, led by Linas Kleiza, started the preliminary round by defeating all five opponents (New Zealand, Canada, last year's EuroBasket champions Spain, France, Lebanon), in the Round of 16 defeated China (78–67), in the Quarterfinals defeated Argentina (104–85), in the semi-final faced the United States (led by Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups, Lamar Odom, Russell Westbrook, Andre Iguodala, Derrick Rose) and suffered a defeat (89–74), however they won a bronze medal by defeating Serbia (88–99) in the third–place game, while Kleiza was included into the All-Tournament team. [153]
In 2011, Lithuania was again hosting the EuroBasket after 72 years – EuroBasket 2011. For this championship the 2010 Lithuania men's national team roster was strengthened by returning Lithuanian legends Jasikevičius, Songaila and FIBA youth competitions star Jonas Valančiūnas, however two last year's highly important players Kleiza and Jonas Mačiulis suffered injuries and were unable to join, while Marijonas Petravičius was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism after three games played. [154] The Lithuanians finished the preliminary round with a 4–1 record (lost only to Spain, 79–91), in the second round defeated Serbia (90–100) and Germany (84–75), but lost to France (67–73), and in the quarterfinal faced the North Macedonia team (led by a naturalized American Bo McCalebb) to who Lithuanians lost by two points (67–65) in front of 15,000 spectators at the recently opened Žalgiris Arena. [154] Consequently, the Lithuanians had to play only in classification games and after defeating Slovenia (77–80), Greece (73–69) finished fifth. [154] Nevertheless, the EuroBasket 2011 was praised internationally, particularly due to the Lithuanian enthusiasm for basketball. [155]
The Lithuania men's national team qualified to the 2012 Olympics through the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In the preliminary round Lithuania won just two of five games (won versus Nigeria, 72–53, Tunisia, 63–76, lost to Argentina, 102–79, France, 82–74, and the United States, 94–99) and in the quarterfinal faced Russia to who they lost (83–74) and finished the Olympics in an eight place. [156] Following it, coach Kemzūra resigned and was replaced by returning Jonas Kazlauskas.
The Lithuanians started EuroBasket 2013 with a mixed performance in the preliminary round (won versus North Macedonia, 75–67, Latvia, 59–67, Montenegro, 77–70, but lost to Serbia, 63–56, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 72–78), however in the second round Lithuanians improved their performance by defeating all three opponents (France, 76–62, Belgium, 86–67, Ukraine, 63–70), and in the quarterfinal faced Italy who they narrowly defeated (81–77), then in the semifinal confidently defeated Croatia (77–62) and returned to the EuroBasket final after 10 years, however the final was won by France (80–66) and the Lithuanians were decorated with silver medals. [157] Kleiza was yet again included into the All-Tournament Team.
As European vice-champions of 2013, Lithuania men's national team automatically qualified to the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Kleiza and captain Robertas Javtokas were unable to participate due to injuries, also one of the last year's team leaders Mantas Kalnietis dislocated his clavicle in the last preparation game. The Lithuanians began the tournament in the preliminary round with a 4–1 record (defeated Mexico, 87–74, Angola, 75–62, South Korea, 79–49, Slovenia, 67–64, and only lost to Australia, 75–82), in the Round of 16 they defeated New Zealand (71–76) and in the quarterfinal defeated Turkey (73–61), however in the semifinals awaited the United States (led by James Harden, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry) and Lithuanians lost the game (96–68), while playing for a bronze medal Lithuanians lost to France by just two points (93–95) and finished fourth. [158]
During the preparation for the EuroBasket 2015 Lithuanian superstar Arvydas Sabonis son Domantas Sabonis debuted in the primary Lithuania men's national team as the youngest player ever and as the first second generation member. [159] The start of championship was promising for the Lithuania men's national team as in the preliminary round they defeated four of five opponents (Ukraine, 69–68, Latvia, 49–68, Estonia, 62–64, Czech Republic, 81–85, lost to Belgium, 74–76), then in the Round of 16 defeated Georgia (85–81), in the quarterfinal defeated Italy only after an overtime (85–95), in the semifinal defeated Serbia in the last seconds (64–67) and returned to a second consecutive EuroBasket final where they faced Spain (led by a Spanish superstar Pau Gasol) to who they lost and finished second again. [160] Nevertheless, two Lithuanians: Valančiūnas and Mačiulis were selected to the All-Tournament Team and the team directly qualified to the 2016 Olympics. Moreover, following the championship the Lithuania men's national team was ranked third in the FIBA Men's World Ranking (at the time surpassed only by the Olympic champions United States and Spain). [13]
In 1992–2016 Lithuania, China, Australia and the United States were the only countries who men's national basketball teams participated in all consecutive Olympics. [161] The beginning of the 2016 Olympics was positive for the Lithuania men's national team as they defeated first three opponents (hosts Brazil, 76–82, Nigeria, 89–80, Argentina, 81–73), however later the Lithuanians were crushed by Spain with a 50 points margin (109–59), then they also lost to Croatia (81–90) and after being eliminated in the quarterfinal by Australia (90–64) finished seventh. [162] Following it, despite a successful 4-year lap, coach Kazlauskas refused to continue coaching the Lithuania men's national team and was replaced by a former player Dainius Adomaitis. [163]
The first game of the EuroBasket 2017 for Lithuanians was shocking as they lost it to Georgia (77–79), however then they rehabilitated and won all the remaining games in the preliminary round versus hosts Israel (73–88), Italy (78–73), Ukraine (62–94), Germany (72–89) and clinched the first place in the group, however after traveling to Istanbul for the knockout stage the Lithuanians lost a quarterfinal to Greece (64–77) and finished the championship ninth. [164]
The mediocre performance at last year's EuroBasket meant that the Lithuanians had to participate in the qualification to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where the Lithuanians finished the first round with a 6–0 record and the second round with a 11–1 record and qualified to the World Cup. In the preliminary round of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup the Lithuanian team defeated Senegal (47–101), Canada (92–69) and lost to Australia (82–87), while in the second round they lost to France (78–75) and defeated Dominican Republic (55–74), however it was not enough for the Lithuanians to qualify to the knockout stage and they finished ninth. [165] Following it, coach Adomaitis resigned and was replaced by Darius Maskoliūnas.
2020s
One of the 2020 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments was held at the Žalgiris Arena in Kaunas, Lithuania. The Lithuanians defeated all their opponents (Venezuela, 76–65, South Korea, 57–96, Poland, 88–69) before tournament's final where they faced off Slovenia (led by a Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić) and lost the final (85–96). [166] This was the first time when the Lithuania men's national team failed to qualify to the Olympics after the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1990. Following it, Maskoliūnas resigned and was replaced by Kazys Maksvytis.
The Lithuania men's national team qualified through the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Lithuanians in the first round crushed by 20+ points all three opponents (Egypt, 67–93, Mexico, 96–66, Montenegro, 71–91) and in the second round also remained undefeated by winning versus Greece (92–67) and notably defeating (104–110) for a third time in history the United States men's national team (led by four NBA All-Stars Anthony Edwards, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Ingram, Tyrese Haliburton). [167] [168] However, in the quarterfinal the Lithuanians journey towards a medal was stopped by Serbia (68–87) and the Lithuanians finished sixth by winning versus Slovenia (100–84) and losing to Latvia (98–63). [167]
In order to qualify for the 2024 Olympics the Lithuania men's national team competed at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico. One of the key long-term players Valančiūnas missed the tournament. In the preliminary round the Lithuanians defeated Mexico (84–96), Ivory Coast (97–93) and in the semi-final crushed Italy (88–64), however in the final they faced off hosts Puerto Rico to who they lost (68–79) and did not qualify to second straight Olympics. Following it, coach Maksvytis resigned and was replaced by Rimas Kurtinaitis.
The Lithuania men's national team qualified to the EuroBasket 2025 through the EuroBasket 2025 qualification.
