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With just over 5 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Lithuanians had a 15-point deficit (71:56), but maintained a 15: 0 streak, thus leveling the result (71:71). At the start of overtime, the dominant sixteen-year-old Lithuanian team fell away by 7 points (71:78), thus increasing the overall result of the streak even to 22: 0.
However, the Russians got closer (78:80), and with 22 seconds to go, the Lithuanians had a 3-point lead (79:82). For the rest of the time, the Russians did not create a miracle and the Lithuanians celebrated a fantastic victory – 84:79.
Tomorrow, the Lithuanians will play the final: in the Group A battle for 1st place, the sixteen-year-old Lithuanian men’s team will face the winner of the Franco-Romanian pair.
Ernestas Matulevičius scored 19 points and bounced 16 balls in the ranks of the 16-year-old Lithuanian men’s team, Petras Padegimas added 17 points, Kristupas Kepežinskas (9 more res.) And Justas Žiubris scored 15 points each.
The Lithuanians, who started the match successfully, took a 7-point lead even before half time (10:17). Still, the Russians responded with a 9: 3 streak and reduced the gap between the teams to a minimum (19:20).
In the second quarter, the Russian team soon went ahead (26:25) and even slipped to the 7-point mark (39:32). After reducing the gap, the Lithuanians were 5 points behind (40:35).
The Lithuanians, who took the place in the third quarter, were very stuck: the Russians, who took the 18: 5 jet, had the advantage of 18 points (58:40). After three halves, the sixteen-year-old Lithuanian team were 15 points behind (62:47).
In the decisive half of the match, the picture on the field changed dramatically: there were just over 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the teams scored 15 points (71:56), but then the Lithuanians put together an impressive run of 15: 0 and tied the result after Ernestas Matulevičius’ double (71:71). The decisive attack was not successful for either team: a draw after 40 minutes required an extension (71:71).
In extra time, the Lithuanians continued their streak until 22: 0, thus descending to the 7-point mark (71:78). For the rest of the time, the sixteen-year-old Lithuanian team did not let the initiative slip away and celebrated an impressive victory – 79:84.
In the first match of the tournament (August 16), the sixteen-year-old Lithuanian lost to the Russians (65:73), in the second match (August 17) they defeated the Romanians (71:52), and in the third they recognized the French advantage (63:71).
Coaches Ignas Pagalys and Karolis Čyžius, physical trainer Jurgis Gurevičius and physiotherapist Austėja Miniotaitė work together with U16 men’s team head coach R. Bradauskas.
The FIBA Challenger tournament this year became the unofficial European Championship and replaced the official priorities of the Old Continent not organized due to the coronavirus. The U16 men’s tournament took place in 4 European cities with 31 teams competing.
Lithuanians compete in Skopje in northern Macedonia, as well as in Sofia (Romania), Novi Sad (Serbia) and Pristina (Kosovo).
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