OPAVA (Czech Republic) - Mindaugas Kuzminskas was happy to play his part as Lithuania completed the desired start to their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers campaign.

The 32-year-old missed his country's opening game, but ensured his availability for the second fixture; making an instant impact as the leading scorer in helping Lithuania make it two wins from two in the November window.

And, Kuzminskas felt the pride of being back involved with the national team in making the quick transition from club duty in Russia.

"Every time you join the national team, the first days bring you a lot of positive emotions," said Kuzminskas. "For all of us, it's a duty and a great desire to play for the national team. All in all, a new page is being turned not only for the national team, but also in Lithuanian basketball as a whole – there are a lot of changes in the coaching staff, in the Federation itself."

"TWO GAMES - FREE, BEAUTIFUL BASKETBALL, A GOOD ATMOSPHERE. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE'RE ON A GOOD PATH."

Kuzminskas was part of the roster that failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1992 in the summer but has high hopes for the immediate future of the national team as they embark on the new direction. The experienced forward also paid credit to new head coach Kazys Maksvytis following the 74-66 victory away at Czech Republic.

"It was more about the coach giving me the freedom, the plays than about me taking initiative. I'm happy that my journey here didn't go to waste and that we won as a team.

"I've known the coach personally a little bit from before, now I get to know him as a coach. You saw yourself: two games - free, beautiful basketball, a good atmosphere. I really believe that we're on a good path."

Lithuania had made a strong start to proceedings in Group F as they eased to an 89-69 win at home to Bulgaria in Klaipeda on Friday with Osvaldas Olisevicius contributing 20 points and 9 rebounds in the impressive all-round team performance.

So much so that Kuzminskas contemplated whether his services would even be required for the trip to the Czech Republic.

"The team looked great in the first game. The basketball was free, the ball movement was good. Whatever was possible to do in such a short time, they did it 100 percent. It was great to watch. After the game, I even sent a text to coach Maksvytis, 'Maybe you don't really need me after all, having played so well?'"

However, there was no doubt for Lithuania and they were able to reap the rewards of his presence with Kuzminskas' contribution noted by his peers.

"Everybody knows who Kuzminskas is, his career, the clubs he's played for. So, of course, we have felt his experience and his contribution to the team. He had only maybe two practices, so that was an impressive performance from him and [we give him] a lot of credit," said Arnas Butkevicius.

Kuzminskas was Lithuania's leading scorer with 13 points in Monday's win - adding 3 rebounds and 4 assists along with a steal and a block in just 21 minutes of action as 11 players in total were again on the scoresheet, in Opava.

But perhaps above all his contributions on the boxscore was the fact that he answered the call and gave us a glimpse of the renowned team spirit that has established Lithuania as one of the global basketball powerhouses. 

And while it's just the start of the long path towards the 2023 World Cup, Lithuania can look ahead to the next windows with optimism after a bright start of a new era.

FIBA