Euro Basket Lithuania 2011

[Iron_Inter]

From 31.08 - 18.09 2011 Lithuania

Group A

1. Poland
2. Great Britain
3. Turkey
4. Portugal
5. Lithuania
6. Spain

Group B

1. Italy
2. Israel
3. France
4. Latvia
5. Germany
6. Serbia

Group C

1. Bosnia and Hercegovina
2. Macedonia
3. Croatia
4. Finland
5. Montenegro
6. Greece

Group D

1. Bulgaria
2. Georgia
3. Russia
4. Ukraine
5. Belgium
6. Slovenia

First round (Day 1) :

31.08.2011

15:15 Spain vs Poland (Group A)
15:15 Serbia vs Italy (Group B)
15:30 Montenegro vs Macedonia (Group C)
15:30 Belgium vs Georgia (Group D)

17:45 Turkey vs Portugal (Group A)
17:45 France vs Latvia (Group B)
18:00 Greece vs Bosnia and Hercegovina (Group C)
18:00 Slovenia vs Bulgaria (Group D)

21:00 Lithuania vs Great Britain (Group A)
21:00 Germany vs Israel (Group B)
21:00 Croatia vs Finland (Group C)
21:00 Russia vs Ukraine (Group D)



http://www.eurobasket2011.com

 

[Gano]

So, the big day for Lithuania. We are hosting basketball championship for second time, but I think it's not the last time as we are country where basketball is sport #1, #2, #3 and so on. People here in Lithuania have high expectations, but they were damaged as our two first choices of small forward were injured. My bet would go for Spain as they came here with strongest possible lineup. Addition of Ibaka only increases their chances. However, maybe homecourt advantage will help us.

 

[Pajo]

It starts today eh?

I dont have high expectations for our NT, although they can surprise. We will see how they open the tour tonigh...

 

[Iron_Inter]

It starts today eh?

I dont have high expectations for our NT, although they can surprise. We will see how they open the tour tonigh...

In our group, Greece are favorites, than Croatia, after those two should be us. BIH i think are great team, it will be tough against them, but i think we manage to beat them ,Montenegro are next behind BIH i think, and they have their best player back from injury, he plays in NBA,Nikola Pekovic center who is very good. Finland i think should be not problem to beat them.


Its very relative to say "big expectations" from our NT, if u dont say what it is "big expectation" for u. I unlike you, am a big optimist, i have big expectations, but that doesnt mean i expect we are going for medals, surly we are no Spain or France, Greece, we dont have NBA stars or great Leage, for me will be great result if we manage to end up from 5-9. Anything less than 9 place ,will be disappointment. Especialy when u know the fact that with weaker team than this we end up 9 in Poland 2009, and we beat France in group stage. I especialy believe and expect good games from the BoMcCalebb, Vlatko Ilievski, and Pero Antic.

@ Gano

Lithuania will be my favorites from other teams. Maybe you dont have that great squad like u used too have back in the days, but as you are the host and have one of the greatest fans in Europe i think you have great chance for medals.

 

[Gano]

Evaluating team's chances for medals is very relative thing to do. We have lots of painful experience with that. In 2007 our NT was very strong and crushed one opponent after another. Then in semifinal it appeared that it was bad day for our team and russians beat us. They later went on to win the final against Spain. Pretty the same thing happened in 2004 Olympics. We had very strong team, but somehow we managed to lose to a lot inferior Italian team due to their amazing 3PT shooting in that game. So, while I am optimistic at the same moment I am very cautious with predictions and expectations. Medals would be very good, but ticket to London Olympics is an obligation.

 

[Iron_Inter]

Am i only one watching this?:work: Anyway congrats to Montenegro for the win.

Results :

Spain vs Poland 83 : 78
Serbia vs Italy 80 : 68
Montenegro vs Macedonia 61 : 61 AOT 70 : 65
Belgium vs Georgia 59 : 81

Turkey vs Portugal 79 : 56
France vs Latvia 89 : 78
Greece vs Bosnia and Hercegovina 76 : 67
Slovenia vs Bulgaria 67 : 59

 

[Gano]

Well, it appeared that Poland was a tough nut to crack for Spain. Despite bookies giving easy win for Spain. NT of Latvia lost to France although it felt like playing at home for them as Šiauliai, where the game was played, is very close to Latvia.

I am sorry, Iron Inter. The loss after OT is really difficult to swallow. Hope you guys bounce back.

 

[Iron_Inter]

Tx Gano it was dificult defeat, we have been dominated under the basket, and we have been terible from 3 point our biggest weapon, I expected more from Antic he had terible game, only one rebound in 39 min, 1/8 from 3 and he is our CENTAR?!!?

Anyway other result were as expected, yes Spain didn't impress but I think as the tournament goes, when it really maters they get on form and impress..

Best of luck against GB.

 

[Gano]

1st matchday:

A
Spain 83 - 78 Poland
Turkey 79 - 56 Portugal
Lithuania 80 - 69 Great Britain

B
Serbia 80 - 68 Italy
France 89 - 78 Latvia
Germany 91 - 64 Israel

C
Montenegro 70 - 65 Macedonia (After OT)
Greece 76 - 67 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia 84 - 79 Finland

D
Belgium 59 - 81 Georgia
Slovenia 67 - 59 Bulgaria
Russia 73 - 64 Ukraine

 

[Pajo]

Bad start against the Croats

We are great at defence, but at offence, we suck. They try unreasonable shots.

Good that Gecevski is back. And i hope Ilievski is kicked out of the team, by far our worst player.

 

[Stunbel]

Turkey looks pretty solid again tbh.

 

[Pajo]

They demanded me lol. Great first quarter, with bad start in the first 2 minutes, and VERY bad ending Too bad, what a luck for the Croats.

---------- Post added at 18:22 ---------- Previous post was at 18:20 ----------

Antic is once again poor

 

[Gano]

Turkey looks pretty solid again tbh.

Turkey and Lithuania both got two underdogs of group A for first two days. And tomorrow we will play Turkey. This is going to be match for the 2nd place, I guess. Then we will see who is who

 

[Pajo]

Fuck, i jinxed them. They suck balls in the second quarter, ALL of them

 

[Stunbel]

Turkey and Lithuania both got two underdogs of group A for first two days. And tomorrow we will play Turkey. This is going to be match for the 2nd place, I guess. Then we will see who is who

You can't be seriously thinking Lithuania can beat Turkey, right?

I mean, come on...

 

[Gano]

You can't be seriously thinking Lithuania can beat Turkey, right?

I mean, come on...

I'm deadly serious about it Lithuania is clear match favourite for me.

 

[Pajo]

WOW, and THAT WAS EPIC!

Forza Macedonia!

 

[Gano]

I said that you will bounce back Ilievski has balls

 

[vassago]

beating Croatia in a Basketball game... thats something you dont see every day...
Forza Macedonia!!!

 

[Pajo]

I jinxed him in positive sense

I still think he is one of our worst players though