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Speaking to the Russian media, one of the most famous basketball players in this country in history did not miss the Lithuanian theme.
“You know, I always give an example to Lithuania. It says, look what a basketball party it is. But tell me at least one other Lithuanian basketball player besides Jonas Valančiūnas, a product of a Lithuanian, non-American school, who has played in such a way? stable in the NBA for the last 10 years? ”- Kommersant.ru quotes a 39-year-old European champion.
Kirilenka also made comments for Serbia, and Luka Dončičius, a basketball super talent, also does not consider him a “product” of the Slovenian basketball school.
“We can talk about Serbia. Basketball is the number one sport there: everyone plays. However, it is also an interesting moment: neither in the Serbian women’s or men’s national team, no basketball player competes in the national teams of their country. None! ”- taught A. Kirilenka.
“Luka Dončičius himself cannot be considered a product of Slovenian basketball. This is a nugget, a unique case. His appearance is unpredictable,” said a Russian about the Dallas Mavericks superstar.
Speaking about his country’s national team, A. Kirilenka pointed out that in the near future he will continue to depend on experienced basketball players, gradually trying to integrate young people.
“We want to build a generation of players who can fight at a high level for a long time, as men who are now quietly approaching the end of their careers.” Remember what the national team was like when Vitalijus Fridzonas, Antonas Ponkrašovas, Nikita Kurbanovas, Andrejus Voroncevičius and the company played in it. So the new generation has every opportunity to reach the same level, Kirilenka said. – But you have to be realistic.
Until now, the base of the national team, who will have to play in the Olympic qualifying tournament, will be the same old guard: Voroncevičius, Fridzon, Dmitrijus Kulaginas, Aleksejus Švedas. The most important thing now is to gather the strongest lineup. The last time it was done was at the 2017 European Championship, despite the fact that Sergei Karasiov was already injured. But we were still fourth. Well, in the 2019 World Cup there were five players missing: Dmitry Chvostov, Swede, Kulagin, Joel Bolomb and Timofey Mozgov. This is the starting point of a strong club, even in the Euroleague. “
Soon Kirilenko extended:
“In general, my main goal now is not to get quick results, but to get the trends right. It can be remembered that in the 21st century. In the beginning, the Russian men’s team was also often disappointed. However, in 2007 we became European champions, followed by a series of successful performances. We were stable in the highlands. “
The last medal won by the Russians was bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. At that time, A. Kirilenka himself represented the Russian team.
In turn, the Lithuanian team won the medal in the international tournament for the last time in 2015. Then, in the European Championship, as in 2013, the Lithuanians coached by Jonas Kazlauskas wore silver.
In 2017, the team already trained by Dainius Adomaitis did not pass the eighth final stage of the European Championship, in 2019 our team failed to enter the playoffs of the World Cup in China.
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