While the Lithuanian men’s 3×3 basketball team was already putting the final touches before the Olympic selection in Japan, the country’s women’s team also started its path towards the same goal, the Paris Olympic Games.
At the beginning of this week in Kaunas, at VDU President Valdas Adamkaus sports center, the preparation of the women’s national team for the Olympic selection, which will last about two weeks, started.
There are nine names on the list of candidates: Gabriele Šulskė, Dalia Donskichytė, Martyna Petrėnaitė, Gabija Meškonytė, Santa Okockytė, Marina Solopova, Kamilė Nacickaitė-Van Der Horst, Giedrė Labuckienė and Monica Grigalauskytė.
“The first days are always similar, but maybe everyone has less rest, because most of us are just after seasons, others are still playing. There is less rest, but the work is similar as always – physical training, throwing”, G. Šulskė shared his first impressions from the national team camp. The season for many of the candidates for the national team ended quite recently, several of them will join the team in the near future. However, one can see positive things in the lack of rest, says G. Šulskė.
“It can be viewed ambiguously. Maybe there is some of that fatigue, but there is also the fact that you are still in shape after the season. Teams still reach their best form in the playoffs. There is no free month during which that form falls and you have to start all over again”, said the basketball player who recently became the champion of Lithuania. For the time being, the long-time 3×3 basketball player Ignas Razutis, temporarily deputizing the head of the Lithuanian national team, is leading the preparations. coach Dainiai Novickas, who is currently working with the national men’s national team.
“Everything is fine, we know Igna, we used to meet in tournaments, he was in the men’s national team. Of course, we may have missed Dainius’ screams in a year, – laughed G. Šulskė. “But he’ll be back soon and we’ll move on.”
In the preparation cycle, the Lithuanians will host the Ukrainian national team at home and travel to Poland, where they will test their strength with this country’s team. Later, the international control tournament in Serbia awaits our team.
“We are waiting because we miss that basketball,” said G. Šulskė about the first serious tests. – We want to play faster, because everyone likes this basketball. It is different – more dynamic, faster. Many matches are in favor. Last year before the World Championship, we did not have such a good preparation, we only tried with Latvians and Estonians, who are not at the same level. That’s what was missing. Everything should be good this year.”
The final goal of the current stage of preparation is the Olympic selection in Debrecen (Hungary) on May 16-19. There, sixteen teams from all over the world will compete for three tickets to the Paris Olympic Games.
Lithuania will start in group B in this competition. Our competitors will be Czech, Canadian and Chilean.
May 16 (Thursday) at 5:05 p.m. The match against the Czech Republic will start in Lithuanian time, and at 6:55 p.m. scheduled match against Canada. May 18 (Saturday) the group stage will end with a meeting with the Chilean national team starting at 17:40. The matches of this tournament will be broadcast live by LRT Plus television.
“I’m probably the least familiar with Chile. I watched them in the first screening, they have a pronounced tall leader. A strong team. Last year we encountered checks a lot at various stages. We don’t know their composition, but this is a physical, good team”, G. Šulskė briefly commented on the two teams of the group. True, Canadian basketball players can win a ticket to Paris this weekend in Japan. In this case, this team would no longer be Lithuania’s competitor in the main Olympic selection.
“Canada is a top team for me. If they make it to the Olympics, they will be among the contenders to win gold. I would not like to have them in the group, it would be better if they leave during the next selection”, – the national team candidate expressed her hope for this weekend.
The Lithuanian men’s 3×3 basketball team can secure a place in Paris in advance in Utsunomy (Japan). Together with seven other teams, it will compete for the only ticket to the dream Olympics.
“They had a strong, good preparation. I really believe that they will immediately leave that selection”, – G. Šulskė did not doubt the ability of his colleagues.
“Long break”: Pasval’s future, Antetokounmpo’s approach to basketball, the “culprits” of “Lietkabel”, a question mark about “Šiauliai” Lithuanians, commendable work of “Nevėžys”, Kosticius who earned a contract and a reflection of the work of CBet’s management
Tags: candidates womens #3×3 national team preparing Olympic selection
-
