Lithuania may not be a powerhouse team like Spain or USA, but it’s proven to be stiff competition in international play and should be just that through the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Its big-man duo of Jonas Valanciunas and Donatas Motiejunas will keep the team relevant for years, providing size that will be a matchup problem for most international squads.
FIBA World Cup 2014 preview: Lithuania’s frontcourt on showcase
Lithuania brings a slightly undermanned team to Spain, but is still a threat to medal led by a devastating young frontcourt.
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Lithuania will look to build on its second-place finish at EuroBasket 2013 with another solid international outing. Despite an injury to star point guard Mantas Kalnietis the week before the tournament, Lithuania is expected to make it to the knockout stage after working its way through Group D. Slovenia and Australia will be its toughest competition through the opening phase of the tournament.
The Lithuanians have been dominant through preparation matches, going 12-2 as they sharpened up for the World Cup. Their only two losses during that period were to Slovenia and Croatia.
How they got here
Lithuania was automatically qualified for the 2014 World Cup by finishing second at EuroBasket 2013, defeating Italy and Croatia prior to being eliminated by France in the finals.
How Lithuania got here will be different than how it will look going forward, though. The team be without its two leading scorers from EuroBasket: Linas Kleiza and Kalnietis.
Key players
2014 FIBA World Cup
Jonas Valanciunas: The Raptors center has been bred to be the centerpiece of the Lithuanian team for years. Now 22 years old, Valanciunas should be ready to be one of the most dominant big men in the tournament. The fifth pick in the 2011 draft took a step forward in his second season in the NBA, averaging 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for a Raptors team that finished third in the Eastern Conference during the regular season.
Donatas Motiejunas: The 23-year-old Motiejunas hasn’t experienced much success in his two seasons in the NBA, but the 7-footer is a big reason why Lithuania could reach the semifinals. The No. 20 overall pick in the 2011 draft, Motiejunas is known for his versatility and shooting ability. He scored a season-high 20 points last season in a March game against the Timberwolves.
Jonas Mačiulis: Lithuania will need spacing around its two star 7-footers, so a shooter like Mačiulis will play a big role. Mačiulis already has 49 games with the national team under his belt as a member of the squad since 2007, and shined during Eurobasket 2013. The 29-year-old currently plays for Real Madrid of the Liga ACB.
Schedule
Group D
Aug. 30 vs. Mexico
Aug. 31 vs. Angola
Sept. 2 vs. Australia
Sept. 3 vs. Korea
Sept. 4 vs. Slovenia
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