Everyone was waiting for him – ” everybody “ meaning regarding thirteen people in France – the pre-selection of the Lithuanian team for the EuroBasket has been revealed. There are nice presences and a “major” absentee, but above all the reading of an observation that absolutely everyone can draw up: this team will be diabolical on the FIBA format.
Joel Embiid and Rudy Gobert, once morest Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas. We are not saying that it will happen, just that in a few months, there is a good chance that the outsiders will spend their time watching the grown-ups having fun. This Friday, Kazys Maksvytis – coach of the Lithuanian team – announced a shortlist of sixteen players to play in the preparation leading to EuroBasket, as well as two qualifying matches for the 2023 World Cup. This list is not definitive, but gives a clue as to what the team that will face the Blues on September 3 might/will look like. Unless there is a big splash in the meantime, it is rare for a coach to change his team between preparation and competition. Come on, send the list.
The 16 preselected Lithuanians:
Arnas Butkevicius, Domantas Sabonis, Eigirdas Zukauskas, Gediminas Orelik, Gytis Masiulis, Ignas Brazdeikis, Jonas Valanciunas, Kristupas Zemaitis, Laurynas Birutis, Lukas Lekavicius, Marius Grigonis, Martyn Echodas, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Rocher Giedraitis, Rokas Jokubaitis and Thomas Dimsa.
Eigirdas and Gediminas, they look like elven blazes in the Lord of the Rings.
Players that we know, the group looks great, even if the innkeeper Donatas Motiejunas is missing. The reason ? He does not wish to participate in the EuroBasket for personal reasons. It would have been more annoying for a talented outsider to withdraw from the group. There, with Sabonis and Valanciunas inside, his choice almost frees up room. After the announcement of his list, coach Kazys Maksvytis spoke publicly for small ritual explanations on absences, and the general chemistry of the group.
“The roster is not what I imagined at the start of the season. However, I think it’s not bad. Some refused, others can’t due to injuries, but the main thing is that we put together a good team. […]
I had a conversation with Motiejūnas. He asked to miss the EuroBasket for personal reasons. If the national team needs it, if any of our big men get injured, they will be ready to join in and help out. – Kazys Maksvytis
As a reminder, Lithuania will enter the competition on September 1st, as part of a first match once morest Slovenia Luka Doncic. She will then face the rest of Group B in this order: France on September 3, Germany on September 4, Hungary on September 6 and Bosnia on September 7. What are the chances for Domantas Sabonis and his friends to get out of this oh so tough group? Frankly, with four out of six teams qualifying for the finals, Lithuania can aim for the Group B podium. very very good, as well as the worst. One thing is certain – and the video left below testifies to it – it will play in the toddlers’ perimeters.
Lithuania is this kind of team very difficult to gauge. The pair Domantas Sabonis – Jonas Valanciunas will cause big problems for the opposing coaches / interiors, but in such a technically demanding competition and to which many stars will be present, nothing can be anticipated.