VILNIUS (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup is just around the corner. In the lead-up to the biggest international basketball event, we take an individual look at all 24 teams.

Country: Lithuania
FIBA bwin Ranking Men: No. 4
Last participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup: 2010 (8 wins, 1 defeat; 3rd place)
Best result in the history of the FIBA Basketball World Cup: 3rd Place (2010)
Result in qualifying tournament for 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup: 2nd place at EuroBasket 2013 (8 wins, 3 defeats)

Lithuania were, are and always will be a major talking point at international basketball events.

The national team has a competitive zeal that some might say is unrivaled.

Their traveling fans create a spine-tingling atmosphere in stadiums with a combination of songs, cheers and beating drums.

Last year, the Lithuanians flirted with an early exit from EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia but scraped their way through the opening phase before reaching the Final.

In 2010, when they needed a wild card to take part in the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, Lithuania made the most of it by going unbeaten until their Semi-Final defeat to the United States.

Big-name players were missing but with all-tournament selection Linas Kleiza, inspirational center Robertas Javtokas and point guard Mantas Kalnietis in great form, the team ended up on the podium, in third place.

At the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, Lithuania will not have Javtokas as he recovers from injuries, and Kleiza is skipping the tournament to rest.

Kalnietis and many other good players will still be on hand to battle in Group D, however, when Lithuania square off against Angola, Slovenia, Mexico, Korea and Australia.

In addition to the 1.95m Kalnietis, who has been a vital part of the team since the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, there will be shooting guard Martynas Pocius, power forward/center Paulius Jankunas and forward Jonas Maciulis.

Each player was vital to the cause in 2010 when the Baltic giants went on their march in Turkey.

In Gran Canaria, the Lithuanians will want to play fast.

They will have center Jonas Valanciunas to turn to in the half-court when opponents slow them down.

The Toronto Raptors pivot has improved every year.

The World Cup may be the stage for Donatas Motiejunas to show that he has graduated to elite status in the Lithuania set-up.

The 2.13m center is not a traditional low-post threat like Valanciunas but offers versatility.

He won't hesitate to put up attempts from long range.

Lithuania will have plenty of experience, both in terms of playing personnel and the coaching staff.

Coach Jonas Kazlauskas is a veteran play-caller in every since of the world.

In Group D, he'll hope to steer Lithuania to a top-three finish to avoid a likely Round of 16 match-up with Group C favorites, USA.

Basketball is the number one sport in the country and for all concerned - the players, coaches, the media and fans - failure is never an option.

It's always fun watching Lithuania play, and this summer will be no exception.

FIBA