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“It’s very difficult to choose the right words,” coach Erez Bittman began the press conference. – But the situation is such that we had to defeat Lithuania in the last qualifying match, at home, for the second time in qualifying. Who would have thought of such a story three years ago … “
The strategist said he did not want to complain about the current selection system.
“For a country as small as we are … 6-7 years ago we played in the Small States Championship! Now we went to the last match and we had to defeat Lithuania again. It was very tough. I can only imagine what it would have been like to have a match in Copenhagen with 6-7 thousand spectators and that atmosphere. We are very disappointed. But we also have to be proud of ourselves.
Before the start of this tournament, we were ranked 32nd in terms of capacity. That means we had to be the weakest team in the tournament. 94 or 95 percent. people interviewed said that Lithuania would win easily. Our guys are just amazing. That’s how they played, what spirit they showed on the field …
Kevin Larsen and John Zohore play in the second Spanish league. With all due respect, they were much better than the one who plays ACB (Laurynas Birutis – author) and a great young talent who will probably be called upon to exchange newcomers (Marekas Blaževičius – author). It shows a lot to people that it’s not the league you play in that it means the most. When you come to the national team, always raise your level of play. The guys did an amazing job.
94 or 95 percent. interviewees said Lithuania would win easily
In the end, we ran out of a rebound, a mistake to reach the European Championship. The feelings are twofold: great pride and great frustration. “
Bittman hopes that a great national team walk will inspire many people in Denmark, with more and more children choosing basketball.
“When I started coaching this team, one person told me that the Danes only think about one thing when they go abroad to play: what to buy in the duty-free shops at the airport,” laughed the strategist.
Photo by Rokas Lukoševičius / 15min / Lithuania – Denmark
Was it an ideal match for the Danes, but with an unsuccessful ending?
“It would have been a perfect match if the result had been 78:77. You know, how I like Lithuania, I often pay tribute to this country, its federation, its coaches, – praised the Lithuanians E. Bittman. -But the kind of respect. that we got here after the match from the people who watched … It is one of the most beautiful things that people in Lithuania respect those who are capable of putting up a fight. There are not many people in the arena, but the people He came and said he respected us.
I think we played most of the game correctly, we coped well with our direct opponents, several times the opponents’ coach forced us to use a different lineup. We played levels, we led, then they rushed forward. Perhaps experience, perhaps the referee’s whistle, perhaps the rebound … But it doesn’t matter, it’s no excuse. When you get to the last minute, anything can happen. As I mentioned, if you asked someone in Denmark or Europe 3.5 years ago, or if someone imagined a scenario where we could throw Lithuania in the last match of the last match, no one would believe you. “
Once again he thanked Lithuania and said that our country is like a second home for Danish basketball.
“You lost, but you won,” said the coach after the game.
Photo by Rokas Lukoševičius / 15min / Lithuania – Denmark
Larsen, who scored 21 points (5/8 doubles, 3/3 penalty), emphasized that the match was tough and physical.
“They got some whistles that could have been in our favor, but that’s basketball. If you want to beat a basketball country like Lithuania, you can’t wait to get help. At the end of the day, the feeling is very bad, ”the tall man was disappointed.
He said that when he plays against the “best in the world”, he always tests his chances.
“I believe to my teammates that we can fight anyone. This result shows that we are on the right track, we have many talented players, Larsen said. – It was fun playing against Lithuania, I have a lot of Lithuanian friends. It was fun. We drank a lot, but now I’m sad. That pride may come later, but tonight will be difficult. “
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