vatroslav_cro
Active member
haha hello Victoria
you are still alive I don't see you are appearing here often
you are still alive I don't see you are appearing here oftenEurobasket 2013 in Slovenia
- Thread starter Archer
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Eurovisionified
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- March 24, 2013
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I really hope Leslie commentates for Sweden. Gotta love that guy's sense of humour.
VictoriaLT
Active member
haha hello Victoria
Haha, surprisingly I'm still alive.
I know I don't come here very often but from now on, I will try my best. As for championship, I'm getting more and more excited as it gets closer. ^^ Our Lithuanian national team started its tournament of friendly games earlier this week by playing with Belgian guys twice and so far, we won both times.
I believe our players used to be much better but anyway, it's only the beginning of the preparation and there is still so much work to be done because our team has new head coach now, and there is still some time left so I hope everything will turn out okey and the players will be in their best shapes by the start of the championship. 
is doing quite well on these preparation matches. Better than I expected.The play is efficient and we are productive from both under the racquett and from the outter positions. We have a replacement for Nenad Krstic finally, and a good one. I can't stand Katic, but, so far he is the best player of
in these friendly matches. He changed the shooting technique as well, from what I saw and it is bringing good results Hopefully we continue in this rhythm when the official matches on Eurobasket start
Preparations for the team are going slow, but at the same time they are picking up some pace. I am worried about their condition. Can they keep up like they did 2 years ago, physically? I would be happy if ends third in the group, behind Serbia and Lithuania and then win 2 games against the second and third placed team from group A - whoever they are (as France is winning that group easily).
I think the level will be brought down on this championship. Many countries will be playing without their best players. Germany is having a pretty weak squad at Spain without Navarro and Paul Gasol, Georgia without Pachulia, Greece without Spanoulis, etc. I am not sure if Spain will be favourites again this year. It could be pretty even. Maybe Lithuania will win it all, Serbia does well in the preparation games, who knows.
team are going slow, but at the same time they are picking up some pace. I am worried about their condition. Can they keep up like they did 2 years ago, physically? I would be happy if ends third in the group, behind Serbia and Lithuania and then win 2 games against the second and third placed team from group A - whoever they are (as France is winning that group easily). I think the level will be brought down on this championship. Many countries will be playing without their best players. Germany is having a pretty weak squad at Spain without Navarro and Paul Gasol, Georgia without Pachulia, Greece without Spanoulis, etc. I am not sure if Spain will be favourites again this year. It could be pretty even. Maybe Lithuania will win it all, Serbia does well in the preparation games, who knows.
VictoriaLT
Active member
As I have been checking my favourite basketball website about preparation matches of Lithuanian national team, I know start thinking that I was lucky not to watch the past few games. Our team won the match against Finland by 2 points only (very VERY unusual and totally unexpected) but somehow the team managed to win the match against Russia by crazy 31 point. When I saw the news, I started laughing SO badly. I thought: 'What? Really? Shouldn't it be other way around?' I'm not saying Finland is bad at basketball but victories against Russian team have ever been tricky ones, but this time it somehow wasn't. (I've also noticed Russian team doesn't have Andrei Kirilenko this year so it seems that it's not that cool without him in the team, huh? Nothing personal - just saying that it's really strange how absence of one or several players can completely change the appearance of the team as a whole.) ;}
wayneofway
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- March 6, 2012
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I was also afraid that Russia, Greece, Turkey and Italy are in the same group. Only three of them will be qualified. Now seeing Russia, they're pretty weak though I think Turkish team is also a little weak this year. So my guess is that, either Russia or Turkey will qualify as third team in this group.
In the last two friendlies on the tournament in Istanbul we defeated yesterday (with +17) and today (with +22).
We are still quite good, but I am not very satisfied with how we are playing the defense. We were quite bad today in the first two quarters in defense, and the Belgian team scored many open shots, and even had some e
bitions under the racquet which certainly can't be allowed at this stage. And while yesterday the percentage of our shot for both 2 and 3 points was good, we couldn't hit anything in the first half today, and we couldn't control the ball, as the number of offensive rebounds was also low.
In the second half, however, we began forcing more aggressive defense, Andjusic scored 3 shots for 3 points in a row, and we managed to turn the match to our side. The Belgians couldn't hold it anymore, so in end we smashed them heavily.
Still don't know what to expect on the championship as we can both pass the group and be out at the same time. We have periods of great and periods of very bad play, even though, as I said, we look quite good.
Hopefully there will be some new variations tested soon. The lineup with Katic and Krstic (two #5 positions) in at the same time is very productive in attack but leaves many space for counter-attacks. This is something that we could force if we fix this problem.
yesterday (with +17) and today (with +22).We are still quite good, but I am not very satisfied with how we are playing the defense. We were quite bad today in the first two quarters in defense, and the Belgian team scored many open shots, and even had some e
bitions under the racquet which certainly can't be allowed at this stage. And while yesterday the percentage of our shot for both 2 and 3 points was good, we couldn't hit anything in the first half today, and we couldn't control the ball, as the number of offensive rebounds was also low.In the second half, however, we began forcing more aggressive defense, Andjusic scored 3 shots for 3 points in a row, and we managed to turn the match to our side. The Belgians couldn't hold it anymore, so in end we smashed them heavily.
Still don't know what to expect on the championship as we can both pass the group and be out at the same time. We have periods of great and periods of very bad play, even though, as I said, we look quite good.
Hopefully there will be some new variations tested soon. The lineup with Katic and Krstic (two #5 positions) in at the same time is very productive in attack but leaves many space for counter-attacks. This is something that we could force if we fix this problem.
A good run in the Beko Supercup for Macedonia. 3 games - 3 victories!!
- 77:75
- 67:81
- 84:93 (and it was 70:60 for Bosnia at the end of the 3rd quarter!)
No more friendly games for, so now the plan is to work on couple of things, little rest and off to Slovenia. Tough group, that group B.
- 77:75 - 67:81 - 84:93 (and it was 70:60 for Bosnia at the end of the 3rd quarter!)No more friendly games for
, so now the plan is to work on couple of things, little rest and off to Slovenia. Tough group, that group B.
VictoriaLT
Active member
Yay for Lithuanian team for loosing the match against Greece. I was actually kinda glad for the loss because, not sure about other teams, but for Lithuanians has never been beneficial sail through friendly matches with victories only. A loss can be a good thing sometimes because it's like a nice kick to everyone's butt to keep improving their game, controling their emotions, and noticing all the good and bad things in the team. The loss yesterday was, as expected, beneficial for today's game against B&H - the game was better, the players seemed to be more focused and emotionally stable which is very VERY good as the championship is getting closer. The team needs to play, look, and feel its best. My fingers are and will be crossed for the players and the staff - they all are working very hard and support is needed in any case.
I was actually kinda glad for the loss because, not sure about other teams, but for Lithuanians has never been beneficial sail through friendly matches with victories only. A loss can be a good thing sometimes because it's like a nice kick to everyone's butt to keep improving their game, controling their emotions, and noticing all the good and bad things in the team. The loss yesterday was, as expected, beneficial for today's game against B&H - the game was better, the players seemed to be more focused and emotionally stable which is very VERY good as the championship is getting closer. The team needs to play, look, and feel its best. My fingers are and will be crossed for the players and the staff - they all are working very hard and support is needed in any case. In the last two tests we beated two Russian teams from the first league, both with over +20. Before that we defeated and took the trophy of a tournament in Istanbul with all victories (first a victory against then and in the end).
Even though there are still some things that I don't like it is realistic and objective to say that we are in a very good form. I hope it wasn't tempted for this beginning and that we see a downfall afterwards, but from what I saw the team is quite well composed, we have many solutions in the attack (especially under the racquet) and our play has a lot of varities.
The defense is what I don't like, and especially how we are defending the picks. We also have some problems when we have to control the rebounds, but all this can be fixed with extra trainings. Generally, I like that we are playing like a team, and that there is a great chemistry in it. I am also satisfied with high percentages of shots for 3 points in almost all matches so far. Hopefully this continues on the tournament as well.
We have 3 more days to prepare well for the start of the championship and the match against our first rival - A match where we will not be the favorites but that will show a lot and, in the end, our real ranges.
and took the trophy of a tournament in Istanbul with all victories (first a victory against then and in the end).Even though there are still some things that I don't like it is realistic and objective to say that we are in a very good form. I hope it wasn't tempted for this beginning and that we see a downfall afterwards, but from what I saw the team is quite well composed, we have many solutions in the attack (especially under the racquet) and our play has a lot of varities.
The defense is what I don't like, and especially how we are defending the picks. We also have some problems when we have to control the rebounds, but all this can be fixed with extra trainings. Generally, I like that we are playing like a team, and that there is a great chemistry in it. I am also satisfied with high percentages of shots for 3 points in almost all matches so far. Hopefully this continues on the tournament as well.
We have 3 more days to prepare well for the start of the championship and the match against our first rival -
A match where we will not be the favorites but that will show a lot and, in the end, our real ranges.
VictoriaLT
Active member
I had never thought I would say that but I haven't never been so nervous and felt so insecure about the way our team plays. Honestly, I can't get it, and after every game, I am left more and more surprised or confused. We either do incredibly good, or we play like we lost our minds. The way we play is very VERY uneven which I would obviously give additional stress for all the people in Lithuania and, I suppose, extra psychological pressure for the players and the coach too. :? Not good at all.
vatroslav_cro
Active member
I don't know about our team, what they can reach, it's a fact that they didn't show big quality in preparing tournament in Istanbul (only the victory against Belgium, defeat against Serbia and Turkey). I know from before that I am not going to expect absolutely anything in Eurocup in Slovenia, and I think there is no big excitement about it here.....however, we'll see.
wayneofway
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- March 6, 2012
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- 304
This is classical Lithuanian team. Lithuanian team is always a soft team. They can defeat any team while they can be defeated by surprise teams too. In previous tournaments, Lithuanian team created big disappointments for me, as the squad seems perfect, team harmony is perfect but they can fall so easily.
VictoriaLT
Active member
Our national team was supposed to get a flight to Slovenia earlier this evening. Then, have a rest and a training tomorrow before Wednesday's match. Unfortunately, after the team and the staff had arrived at the airport, the plane was detected to have a broken engine. Like, really? Instead, they are leaving tomorrow which means they won't be able to have a proper rest after the trip and go straight to the training. I'm afraid that the fact the players might be tired on Wednesday's match can affect the quality of their playing. Oh my.
BE POSITIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111111111ONEONE
vatroslav_cro
Active member
Luka I AM! But I am trying to be REALISTIC as well.
We'll see (that's what I always say, if you didn't notice it till now)
We'll see (that's what I always say, if you didn't notice it till now)