Continuity could be the lifeblood for Lithuania
VILNIUS (FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2016) – It’s tricky to judge the prospects for Lithuania at this year’s edition of the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship.
VILNIUS (FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2016) – It’s tricky to judge the prospects for Lithuania at this year’s edition of the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship, but with half of their players returning they will have some priceless continuity.
Having announced their roster early for next month’s event in Sopron, six players will be back on board from the team that achieved a tenth place finish in Celje last summer.
| Lithuania roster for FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2016 | |||
| Brigita Gudelionyte | Laurita Jurciute | Livija Kaktaite | Rasa Knyzaite |
| Gabija Meskonyte | Martyna Petrenaite | Livija Sakeviciute | Klaudija Serkeviciute |
| Kamile Seskute | Dovile Strimaityte | Indre Vilkuoyte | Karolina Visockaite |
This time around, Lithuania are going to have to deal with losing the phenomenal influence of Laura Juskaite who moves up to the U20 team - having led the way in points, rebounds, assists and steals in Slovenia.
However, when the team gathers in Palanga during the coming weeks for their preparation camp, they can take heart from the likes of Gabija Meskonyte returning.
She was the second-top scorer last year and led the way in shot blocking, while only Juskaite played more minutes than the ever-reliable Rasa Knyzaite.
Livija Sakeviciute (LTU) waits for the offensive rebound last year en-route to promotion at U16 level and will be a useful addition under the basket
Lithuania will also benefit from the arrival of players such as Livija Sakeviciute and Klaudija Serkeviciute who were both an integral part of their country’s promotion and indeed gold medal run last year at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship Division B.
Before heading to Hungary where they will face Belgium, Serbia and Spain in Group C, they will play warm-up games with Latvia, Hungary and Finland – as well as participating in the Baltic Cup from 15-17 July in Klaipeda.
FIBA