ANTWERP (Belgium) – Lithuania return to the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 with a target firmly in sight and crosshairs squared on their backs. The reigning champions lifted the trophy in Copenhagen last year after recovering from an opening-game defeat to Austria to win four straight games, but their latest major tournament ended in a different fashion. Latvia knocked Lithuania out in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026, setting up another chapter in a rivalry that will resume almost immediately in Antwerp.
Lithuania's 2025 run underlined their ability to navigate the pressure of a short tournament. After the early setback, they responded with four consecutive victories to claim the European crown, with Ignas Vaitkus earning Men's MVP honors. A year later, they return with the same objective, but with a different challenge in front of them.
The defending champions will have to do it without two members of last year's title-winning squad, Aurelijus Pukelis and Marijus Uzupis. Paulius Sorokas, Evaldas Saulys, Evaldas Dziaugys and Vaitkus make up Lithuania's roster for Antwerp, giving the team a rejigged combination to work with as they attempt to retain the crown.
Vaitkus remains the key link to last year's success. The reigning Europe Cup MVP returns with experience of what it takes to win this competition, and his leadership will be particularly important as Lithuania adjust to their new-look lineup.
The draw, though, has given Lithuania little time to settle in. They are in Pool C alongside Latvia and Ireland, with the Latvia matchup carrying plenty of recent history. Lithuania defeated Latvia in the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2025 Final, only for Latvia to gain revenge by eliminating them in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals. Now the two sides meet again, this time with a place in the Europe Cup knockout stage on the line.
The compact format leaves little room for mistakes. Lithuania will need to navigate both pool games effectively, with finishing second potentially setting up a Quarter-Final matchup against powerhouse Serbia. The route to the podium will be unforgiving from the outset.
For Lithuania, however, the objective extends beyond simply reaching the knockout rounds. A successful title defense would make another statement about their place among Europe's leading men's 3x3 basketball programs, while the 2026 champions will also qualify for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2027 and FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup 2027.
Copenhagen established Lithuania as Europe's champions. Antwerp will test whether they can remain there. Can the defending champions turn their World Cup disappointment into another Europe Cup triumph?
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