Maksvytis, who sees Lithuanians instead of Slovenes: today he would agree to coach the national team

Kazys Maksvytis, the head coach of Perm Parma and one of the main candidates to join the helm of the Lithuanian men’s basketball team, does not hide that the Olympic basketball player did not present too many surprises.

“Looking at the final track, I expected to see the Spanish. In my opinion, the main match took place before the quarterfinals: Spain against Slovenia. I thought the Spanish would stop the Slovenians, but they defeated and deserved a weaker opponent in the quarterfinals. But nobody gave more surprises, “said the coach.

The Spanish entered the tournament in the quarterfinals with the tournament’s favorite American basketball players. It was the Americans who prevented brothers Pau and Mark Gasolius from ending their national team careers with Olympic medals around their necks. The Spanish are flying home and Gregg Popovich, who remains in Tokyo, should have the only goal in mind: to stop the Australian team.

If Australian basketball players were to win an Olympic medal, it would be their first prize in the biggest basketball tournaments in the world. According to K. Maksvytis, it is the Australians who demonstrate the most unfavorable basketball for their competitors.

“They play hard and physically. I think it is the French and the Australians who can match the United States team. The Americans are the favorites, but if Australia wins, it wouldn’t be a big surprise and no one would be surprised, ”said K. Maksvytis. Betsafe experts also name the American constellation as the clear favorite in this duel. Up to 83% is expected for them. chance to beat the Australian basketball players and reach the final.

Unlike all the teams in the semi-finals, the Australians have already “bleeding” into the quarter-finals. Still in the group match against the Italian national team, the Australian basketball players lost one of their key players, Aron Baynes.

“I think it’s a big loss. From what I’ve seen the Australian and American game, they play mobile players, they like to swap defenders. Without A. Baynes under the basket, it would be difficult to use such tactics. Without him Australia loses part. of his physique, “said K. Maksvytis about the loss of one of the leaders.

So far, the Australian team has not suffered a single defeat at the Games. Meanwhile, the US team already received a slap in the face from the French in the first game of the group stage. It is in the next semi-final match where French basketball players challenge the Slovenian team led by Luka Dončičius.

In this semifinal duel, Betsafe experts are not the favorite European champion of the time: 53 percent. the Slovenians will most likely not stop at the semi-finals barrier. According to K. Maksvytis, I still wish that the story of “Cinderella” created by Slovenia did not end at the semi-finals barrier.

“If the Slovenians meet in the final, then all the fans should apologize to Darius Maskoliūnas,” laughed the coach, adding: “The victories generally add up to more and more points.” Slovenians use their opponents to show off their basketball. Of course, France has a much better, more physical bank, and they would be insignificant favorites. “

And what would the Lithuanian team look like in the context of the Olympic basketball tournament?

“It is difficult to judge. But if the Slovenians went to the semi-finals, then the Lithuanians could have followed the same path and be in the place of Slovenia, ”said one of the main candidates for the position of coach of the Lithuanian national team.

The name of K. Maksvytis has long been on the radar of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) looking for someone to trust at the helm of a team going through a famine. Once, due to a contract with the Parma club, he lost the opportunity to coach not only the national team, but also Kaunas Žalgiris, a strategist from Darbėnai, who seems ready for a professional challenge.

When asked if he would agree to coach the national team, K. Maksvytis remained open as always: “As I work further away from Lithuania, I miss her more. I would agree to train today. But I don’t want to speculate on this topic because I may not even be invited. It is not yet clear which government will be elected. Three different teams. I have talked to some. But I think there is a lot to talk about, and if you don’t choose them, then what? “

Betsafe experts predict that 44 percent Vydas Gedvilas and Ramūnas Butautas have a chance to replace Arvydas Sabonis in the presidential elections to be held on September 7. Former national team captain Robert Javtok’s potential is measured modestly: 12 percent.