One dream lost, but another begins
Well, I am sorry to say that EuroBasket 2009 is over for Lithuania. For sure, we had a really bad competition. We didn't play well and now we're eliminated, something that is certainly frustrating for us, for the coaches and for our fans. We really did work hard for a couple months beforehand and were prepared, but it didn't come together for us. We've got to try to take something positive out of this, hard as that is right now. We know how to win, but we have to know how to lose, too, and start getting positive for the future. The one thing I am sure about is that the Lithuanian national team is going to bounce back.
As you probably know, by losing our first two games of the second round, to Slovenia and to Spain, we were eliminated from the quarterfinals. Honestly, Slovenia was probably our worst game of the summer, including the friendlies. We seemed like we were ready, but when we got on court, we were always late, everywhere. We were one step late on everything defensively, and Slovenia took advantage every time. Give them credit, they played good that day, but we let them have too many opportunities. Against Spain, we started strong but then just had a huge slump in the second quarter, 23-0, something unheard of, really, especially since we had been winning by nine points until then. That turned it around for them, though. We didn't play well against their press. The problems started there for us, and we stopped scoring. That gave them a lot more confidence. We got completely out of our rhythm and couldn't get it back. That was the key point of the game, no doubt. I can't say still what caused all this. I know that teams were double-teaming me when I got the ball, but my problems were part of our problems in general as a team. When we came into the locker room at halftime of one game, our coach showed how we had shot as many three-pointers as two-pointers. And as he said, that's an imbalance. He asked for more penetration to put the ball closer to the basket, get to the line maybe and shoot free throws. You have to play well balanced basketball, but sometimes our problem was getting behind and shooting rushed threes to catch up.
Of course, we aren't the only team with such problems, as Spain itself was the favorite but is still not qualified to the quarters. I still think they are dangerous, but my guess is that Spain's confidence is down a little. Even against us, they didn't come out to play the way a Spanish team usually does. You didn't see that confidence they usually have, but just the same, I am sure they are capable of getting it back. There are other teams that have built that confidence during the tournament, even though they maybe didn't come into it with high expectations, or were just going to see how it goes. Turkey, Slovenia, Greece and France have seen that movement in their confidence. So while some were gaining it, some saw their confidence lowered. We'll see if beating us helped Spain get more serious.
So, after our last game against Serbia, we'll head home to Lithuania for a couple days off before heading separate ways to our clubs. In my case, I'll travel soon to Italy and my new club, Armani Jeans Milano, and start getting ready for the Euroleague season. I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates, but luckily, I got to know one of them here on the national team, Jonas Maciulis. We're both excited to start playing in Milan. We've been talking while we are traveling together, following the team's preseason and hearing about the other players. It's exciting for both of us, but for Jonas it's a little different because it's his first time outside of Lithuania. I, on the other hand, have played in the United States, in Belgium, in Latvia - even in Kuwait, just a couple weeks, but it was the FIBA Asia Cup and it was certainly interesting! The next stop is Milan. We can't wait to get to know Italy. We'll do some exploring on our own, but we expect to be busy helping Armani Jeans Milano get ready for what should be a great Euroleague season.
So, here comes a new club, new country and new league for me. Even though I will be with another team, I am happy to have earned my way to the Euroleague again, winning the Eurocup with Lietuvos Rytas next year. It's exciting to be on my way to meeting new teammates in a new place and playing for such a historic club with plans to succeed in Europe. I can't wait! See you when the Euroleague starts in October!
POSTED BY
MARIUS PETRAVICIUS - POLAND
DATE:
Wednesday, September 16, 2009