16 September 2007

The two last champions of Europe from 2003 and 2005 met on Sunday evening in Palacio de Deportes in Madrid and when the smoke cleared Lithuania beat Greece 78-69.

Lithuania hit two birds with one stone.

16 September 2007

Not only is the bronze medal up for grabs in the 2007 EuroBasket third place game between 2003 champions Lithuania and 2005 title-holders Greece but the winners also will clinch a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

So, there is plenty of motivation for both teams to bounce back from tough losses in the semi-finals.

Without a doubt, Lithuania’s trip to Stockholm for EuroBasket 2003 will always be foremost in the minds of fans. On the evening of September 14th, Lithuania overcame Spain in the title game and after 64 years got back to the top of European basketball. The title was their third overall (the previous ones coming in 1937 and 1939). Led by tournament MVP Sarunas Jasikevicius, Lithuania posted a perfect 3-0 record in the group stage at EuroBasket 2003.  That Baltic giants eliminated Serbia & Montenegro in the quarter-finals, defeated France 74-70 in a thrilling semi-final game and completed their brilliant run at 6-0 with a 93-84 win over Spain. Team captain Saulius Stombergas joined Sarunas Jasikevicius on the all-tournament first team.      

The Golden Boy of Lithuanian basketball is returning to the National Team after taking a couple of summers off, and his return is eagerly awaited.