OSIJEK (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - There have been numerous landmark battles between Croatia and Lithuania over the years, with the history between two of Europe's greatest basketball nations dating back to the Qualifying Tournament for the 1992 Olympic Games.

From the Balkans to the Baltics, the countries have gone head to head a total of  11 times in official FIBA competitions with Lithuania holding an impressive record of 9 wins and 2 losses . Taking into consideration exhibition games, the gap shrinks to a far more competitive 11-9, as Croatia have been the superior side in friendlies.

The next chapter of this classic rivalry will be written in the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, with the national teams meeting in Osijek, Croatia's fourth-largest city,  to get the action underway in the fourth window.

"IT'S ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO PLAY AGAINST CROATIA, WHETHER IT'S ON THE ROAD, AT HOME OR SOMEPLACE ELSE IN A TOURNAMENT. IT'S A NATION THAT HAS DEEP-ROOTED TRADITIONS IN  BASKETBALL AND HAS PRODUCED A LOT OF FAMOUS PLAYERS OVER THE YEARS."- Dainius Adomaitis

 It will be only the third time that one of these countries hosts the other in an official setting, with the first two instances occurring en route to the FIBA EuroBasket 1999, in the Qualifiers.

The two qualifying bouts might not be as deeply ingrained as some other memorable games, but current Lithuania head coach Dainius Adomaitis does have a fairly extensive recollection from a personal standpoint.

The reason for this is quite simple: he was there himself when Croatia hosted Lithuania in Split in February 1998. Paced by Dino Radja, the home side came away with a 72-64 victory against their far-away guests in front of a packed gym and in an intense atmosphere that Adomaitis remembers to this day.

An iconic player of his generation, Radja welcomed Lithuania to his hometown with a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds. Arijan Komazec collected 20 points, while a still up-and-coming Gordan Giricek contributed with 14 points for the Srecko Medvedec-coached Croatians.

Virginijus Praskevicius posted a team-high 16 points for Lithuania, as the trio of Saulius Stombergas, Darius Lukminas and Eurelijus Zukauskas added 13 points apiece. Adomaitis himself had a game to forget, fouling out in 17 minutes of action with nothing to show for on the scoreboard.

Dainius Adomaitis went on to represent Lithuania at the FIBA EuroBasket 1999

"You always remember the games you played in Split because it's an extremely tough place to play. I remember that we lost there, but then earned a win back home," he recalled.

"It's always difficult to play against Croatia, whether it's on the road, at home or someplace else in a tournament. It's a nation that has deep-rooted traditions in basketball and has produced a lot of famous players over the years."

After a defeat in Split, Lithuania did turn the tables around in the reverse fixture a year later, with a 76-65 victory in Kaunas. Lithuania finished the qualifying campaign with an 8-2 mark while Croatia went 7-3 as both teams reached the Final Round of the FIBA EuroBasket 1999 in France.

"All of the Croatia teams have their stars. Back then, there were a number of them in the game as well," Adomaitis, who did not play in the second game in Lithuania, recalled playing against Radja, Giricek and point guard Damir Mulaomerovic in Split.

Times haven't changed much in that regard, with the Croatian talent factory continuing to produce a never-ending line of top-caliber players. Bojan Bogdanovic, Dario Saric, Ante Zizic and Ivica Zubac - they will all be there to give Lithuania a hard time in Osijek, when the teams meet again in the World Cup Qualifiers.

"THE PLAYERS THAT ARE ON THE [CROATIAN] TEAM RIGHT NOW ARE REAL DIFFERENCE-MAKERS. THEIR NAMES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES."- Adomaitis

"The fact of the matter is that Croatia is one of the best teams in our group of the Qualifiers," Adomaitis admitted. "The players that are on the team right now are real difference-makers. Their names speak for themselves. The ones from the NBA are leading players in their positions and are all exceptionally skilled."

Lithuania are one of five teams in the European Qualifiers to enter the Second Round with a perfect 6-0 record, while Croatia needed an extra push from their NBA stars in the third window to advance from the First Round with a 3-3 mark after winning the last two games in Group D.

Indiana Pacers small forward Bojan Bogdanovic exploded for 26 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists to guide Hrvatska to a 78-72 victory against the previously undefeated Italy, while Philadelphia 76ers big man Dario Saric rocked up with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in a 90-63 triumph over Romania in a do-or-die game that eventually got Croatia over the edge.

It is hardly a secret that these names are on the back of coach Adomaitis' mind ahead of their game in Croatia. The 44-year-old playcaller, who has been in charge of the national team since FIBA EuroBasket 2017, isn't giving much away by saying that limiting the production of Bogdanovic and Saric is on the top of the priority list for Lithuania.

"Individual defense will be our main thing," he stressed. "They are very talented individually, they like to cut plays short and take defenders one-one-one. Maintaining concentration and holding our own in individual match-ups on the defensive end will be key."

FIBA