Lithuania Look For Bouncebackability

MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - Few coaches will head into the forthcoming EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifying window under as much pressure as Lithuania's Rimuydas Samulenas.

Having gained promotion last summer from his former duties as an assistant to predecessor Mantas Sernius, the play-caller endured a miserable start to his tenure.

After losing 65-62 to neighbours Latvia in Riga, even worse was to follow as his players failed to respond to the derby disappointment.

Instead of bouncing straight back at home to Slovenia, Lithuania dropped to 0-2 in the three-team Group A after falling 73-64 in Kedainiai - too many turnovers once again proving a major issue.

It has left the team with little, if any margin for further error and it looks like everything could be riding on next week's home game against Latvia.

Defeat and a 0-3 record would certainly be unthinkable having made the Quarter-Finals of EuroBasket Women 2015.

Back at the Kedainiai Arena with his team, Samulenas is hoping his team can pull together to put things right, with fans being granted free entrance for the Latvia match-up in a bid to get some serious home support behind the team."Time is scarce," conceded Samulenas.

"Therefore, we are focusing on defence and our rotations.

"It is also very gratifying that all the players are inclined to be positively combative and are all determined to work."

In terms of personnel, it has been bitter-sweet in the early stages of camp.

Spar CityLift Girona forward Lina Pikciute has been ruled out and Marina Solopova is also not present.

However on a positive note, Samulenas will be able to call upon the services of the vastly experienced Sandra Linkeviciene and also Mante Kvedaraviciute who missed the last window with injuries. The exciting teenager Laura Juskaite has also been drafted into the mix.

Lithuania's 14-player roster:

Monika Grigalauskyte, Gabriele Gutkauskaite, Laura Juskaite, Vita Kuktiene, Mante Kvedaraviciute, Sandra Linkeviciene, Kamile Nacickaite, Santa Okockyte, Giedre Paugaite, Gintare Petronyte, Egle Siksniute, Neringa Skadaite, Egle Sulciute, Laura Svaryte.

FIBA