So far – without Paris: the Lithuanian national team was not equal to the Netherlands

True, the Lithuanians have one more chance in the selection tournament that will be held in Debrecen, Hungary, on May 16-19. The last 3 tickets will be distributed there.

The game started with aggressive defense and few points. After 3 minutes and with the Lithuanians trailing 3:4, E. Džiaugys missed a painful blow to the chest, and after the review, W. de Jong of the Netherlands was given a foul in attack.

After that, the Lithuanian rivals went on a 4:0 run, and the result became 4:8 against the Lithuanians. A. Pukelis reduced the difference with a two-pointer with a foul, later he found Š. E. Džiaugys excelled in Wingelis with a hook, and D. Tarvydas equalized the result with a powerful put – 9:9.

However, the Netherlands responded to the Lithuanian rush with another one of their own – hitting two quick three-pointers in a row, and the Lithuanians now trailed by 3 points (11:14). The opponents continued to not relax in the attack, Dimeo Van Der Horst hit several two-pointers in a row, and the score became 12:18.

D. Tarvydas made 1 of 2 free throws and a crucial 3-pointer, but then he had two more chances to close the gap, but missed, and the Netherlands celebrated a 19-15 victory in regulation.

Lithuania: D. Tarvydas 6, A. Pukelis 6, E. Džiaugys 2, Š. Wingel 1.

The Netherlands: J. Driessen 6, A. Slagter 6, W. de Jong 4 (5 goals), D. van der Horst 3.

The Dutch basketball players reached the final after defeating Mongolia 21:11 in the first semi-final.

Currently, 5 of the 8 participants of the men’s 3X3 basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics are known. Previously, Serbia, USA and China entered the Olympics according to the ranking, and Latvia won the first qualifying tournament. The Lithuanian basketball players did not qualify for the recent Tokyo Olympics after losing to the Latvians, and it was they who won the Olympic gold later.

Victory over the French in the semi-finals

Only 1 point was scored in the first two minutes of the match, but both teams quickly picked up offense and the score was tied at 8-8 at the halfway mark. This was followed by several mistakes by Lithuanians, which allowed France to take the initiative for the first time (10:11).

3 minutes left A. Pukelis spoke before the final whistle, and the Lithuanians regained the lead 16:14. The French soon used up the limit of team fouls, which allowed the Lithuanians to break away with free throws, and the last 3 Lithuanian points were scored by Š. Wingel.

Lithuania: Sh. Vingelis 7, E. Džiaugys 7 (5 rebounds), D. Tarvydas 4, A. Pukelis 3.

France: H. Suhard 6, J. Rambaut 5, L. Konate 2, A. Vialaret 2.