Passion and support of Lithuania fans never gets old for veteran Kalnietis

KAUNAS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Lithuania are one of three teams still undefeated in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers and Mantas Kalnietis hopes that unity and chemistry - the defining traits that have helped the team to achieve that perfect mark - will once again be on display in the fifth window.

Kalnietis has played for Lietuva in June-July and September during which time he helped the team improve to 8-0 in Group J and book their ticket to China 2019.

Now the 32-year-old is hoping to guide his country to two more wins at Italy (6-2) on Thursday and at home against Croatia (3-5) on Sunday - which would put them in position to secure first place in the group.

"These are two very tough games and we're going to be ready for those two battles. Italy is a very competitive team, they're second in the group and will want to qualify for the next FIBA World Cup during this window, so they're going to be very motivated against us," Kalnietis said of the game in Brescia.

Kalnietis and the team will then travel back to Vilnius where they host Croatia.

"We always want to show our fans that we're very good at home and we want to win this one too," he said. "I'm sure everyone in Vilnius is ready for this game and we're going to be ready for Sunday’s matchup too. It’s always great to compete in front of your fans and family and as always I'm so looking forward to it."

"THE PASSION AND SUPPORT FROM OUR FANS IS SO GOOD. I LOVE THAT FEELING EVERY TIME I COME BACK HOME TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM. AND EVEN IF I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING IT FOR SO MANY YEARS NOW, I STILL HAVE AND FEEL THE SAME EMOTION."- Kalnietis

While the ASVEL Basket Lyon-Villeurbanne playmaker has featured in four games of the Qualifiers - averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds - he has only enjoyed the pleasure of playing at home once, in the 95-93 double-overtime  thriller over Netherlands in Vilnius in September.

"The passion and support from our fans is so good. They're our sixth man, they have our backs and their love for the country and the national team is amazing," said Kalnietis, who made his senior national team debut in 2006 and has since played  at two FIBA Basketball World Cups, two Olympics and five FIBA EuroBaskets. "I love that feeling every time I come back home to play for the national team. And even if I have been experiencing it for so many years now, I still have and feel the same emotion."

Kalnietis points to the love from the fans and the bond among the players as what make Lithuania so strong.

"We have a great pool of players and the team chemistry and unity is very solid. We're here to help each other and everyone has a 'team first' mentality. I love this about the national team," Kalnietis said. "We're a big family, we have each other's back and we are all together pushing and fighting to make our people proud of what we do."

The famed Lithuanian fans give Kalnieits and co a major advantage in home games.

And that family feeling makes the team that much tougher to beat.

"It feels good to be in this group, in this family and that gives us a lot of strength and that is one of the pillars of our unity and great chemistry in the national team. When you wear the national team jersey, you feel the love and support from every one of our fellow compatriots, and that is something that is unbelievable. We play for our country, and we play for them too," Kalnietis said.

"WE HAVE A GREAT POOL OF PLAYERS AND THE TEAM CHEMISTRY AND UNITY IS VERY SOLID. WE'RE HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER AND EVERYONE HAS A 'TEAM FIRST' MENTALITY. I LOVE THIS ABOUT THE NATIONAL TEAM."- Kalnietis

The 6ft 5in (1.95m) guard was the hero from the last window - having picked up 15 points and 5 assists in the 84-83 win at Croatia and then 21 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds against Netherlands. Kalnietis said those two wins will be important for the national team going forward - especially because they were close games.

"It's good sometimes to win by very small margins as you show that you can handle the pressure and the tension of a close game," he said. "Those games are going to be very useful for the future; that is for sure. When you win in situations like those ones, you also gain confidence too."

The win in Croatia was especially important as the Croatians had their best players on hand but Lithuania still grabbed the win despite being the underdog.

"It's important for the confidence and the dynamic to win in tough arenas, and against some of the best national teams of the continent. That win in Croatia was a big one," he said.

Still, Kalnietis said it was just one game along the Road to China 2019, adding: "We have now to stay focus and win the next two coming in the next window, and the last two in the February one to keep our dynamic going."

FIBA