Need three examples why Sarunas Jasikevicius is ready to re-assert his status as the King of Europe?

Midway through the second quarter of Lithuania's 86-69 victory over Turkey, Jasikevicius was taken to the locker-room after apparently injuring his right knee in a collision wiht Ermal Kurtoglu. Within less than three minutes of game action, he was back on the court as his usual self - a leader barking out orders and bickering with the referees.

With the Lithuania fans chanting "Saras! Saras! Saras!", Jasikevicius finished telling his team-mates what defense they have lined up before he steps to the line for a free throw. He misses the foul shot but the offensive rebound comes right back to him and he hits a jumper for a 42-33 lead.

And after Turkey just missed their second chance to cut the deficit under 10 points in the

		Even after his long absence, Sarunas is back to being the team's leader

fourth quarter, Jasikevicius buries a three-pointer for a 72-59 lead with 4:35 left to play.

Yes, Jasikevicius is back and he's ready to regain his crown as king of Europe.

The last time Europe saw the firey point guard was after he helped lead Lithuania to the gold medal at the 2003 EuroBasket in Sweden.

"It's very nice to be back out there," said Jasikevicius, who collected 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in leading Lithuania to their opening night victory in Group C of the 2007 EuroBasket.

"He's the leader of our team. We have to feel him, we have to understand him. And we always have to be aware of him and his passes. And when he's on the court it's passion, energy and intelligence," said Jasikevicius's backcourt team-mate, Rimantas Kaukenas.

And 22-year-old Linas Kleiza loves playing with Jasikevicius for the first time, adding: "As a young guy, of course, I watched him a lot. We really missed him. And he makes a big difference. He's our team."

Jasikevicius's excellence - which led him to three straight Euroleague crowns - is also not lost on his coach Ramunas Butautas.

"Sarunas is one of the best players in Europe, in my mind, and in the world. He did not have a special season in Indiana (and Golden State) in the NBA. But he's a special player, and every coach dreams about that kind of player. He can do anything," said Butautas, coaching Jasikevicius for the first time.

Even Turkey coach Bogdan Tanjevic was full of praise, saying: "He was just fantasitc. When it was really a tough fight, he really found his holes and he was definitely the best player out there tonight."

The Bosnian also questioned why Jasikevicius hasn't been allowed to do more in the NBA, adding: "He showed tonight that American coaches don't understand basketball. They're not able to understand him."

Jasikevicius, himself, is thrilled to be back playing a major role for a team after averaging only 6.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 15.4 minutes for the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors last season in the NBA.

"I'm happy to be back in business, happy to play for something meaningful. I missed that. In

		“	I'm happy to play for something meaningful	„
		Lithuania guard Sarunas Jasikevicius

the NBA, you're on the road so much and wait for the end of the season to come," he said.

"It was my decision not to come (to the national Team) the past two years because I know I wouldn't have been helpful - I was just too tired."

In Spain, Jasikevicius's goal is clear - "The Olympics. We know it will be tough, it's never easy."

He also believes that Lithuania can capture their fourth EuroBasket title - and second with Jasikevicius at the helm.

"It would not be a seven-game playoff series, so I think even Spain can beaten."

And Jasikevicius would be ready for another coronation.