The head coach of the Lithuanian national team decided to play without Eimantas Bendžius in the second qualifying match, who will be replaced by Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who came to the Czech Republic from St. Petersburg.
K. Maksvytis admitted in the Czech city of Opava that such a decision was determined by the solid game of the national team’s debutant Osvaldas Olisevičius in the confrontation with Bulgaria, where he scored 20 points.
“Mindaugas is more athletic than Eimantas and can give other options. And Osvaldas Olisevičius filled the fourth position very well for us, ”said K. Maksvytis.
The coach admitted that it was not easy for Kuzminskis, who later joined the national team, but the Zenit striker looks bolder and better.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas
© Krepsinionamai.lt
–
“We all know what class Mindaugas is a player in, what league he plays in. I think we will definitely find it right to use it, “said the strategist about the only basketball player in the national team of the Euroleague.
M. Kuzminskas himself admitted that he had not yet been able to get acquainted with K. Maksvytis’ systems properly.
“It simply came to our notice then. It’s a lot of fun to join the national team. It is a duty to represent the Lithuanian national team, so the desire to come here was very high, ”said the athlete, who was grateful to Zaviit helmsman Xavi Pascualis for the opportunity.
“Coach Maksvytis said that I needed it, so I went to talk to Xavi Pascualis and Zenit’s sports director. They looked benevolent. Pascal is a human trainer – he is Zenit’s best investment, “said Kuzminskas.
Kęstutis Kemzūra
© Krepsinionamai.lt
–
Before the match in the Czech Republic, K. Maksvytis emphasized that the team of the hosts is playing a similar game to the Bulgarians who defeated the Lithuanians on Friday, and the personal defense against one will be especially important. The assistant coach Kęstutis Kemzūra, who has trained in Nezburg ČEZ in the past, is especially helpful in preparing for the match.
“Kęstas contributed the most to the analysis of the Czechs. He knows their players well, some of whom he trained in Nymburg, ”said K. Maksvytis, who did not bring Martin Geben and Arno Velička to the Czech Republic, who were thanked for their work in Lithuania.
Lithuania will fight with the Czech Republic in the selection of world championships on Monday at 6 p.m. Lithuanian time.
Lithuanian national team twelve: Margiris Normantas, Mindaugas Girdžiūnas, Vytenis Čižauskas, Tomas Dimša, Eigirdas Žukauskas, Deividas Gailius, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Gytis Masiulis, Osvaldas Olisevičius, Arnas Butkevičius, Laurynas Birutis and Martynas Echodas.
–
It is strictly forbidden to use the information published by DELFI on other websites, in the media or elsewhere, or to distribute our material in any form without consent, and if consent has been obtained, DELFI must be cited as the source.
