LTU – Lukauskis seizes the moment with Lithuania

BEIJING (Olympics) - A fine season with club Lietuvos Rytas placed Mindaugas Lukauskis back in the Lithuanian national team for this year’s Olympics after a long absence.

The 29-year-old shooting guard is taking full advantage.

Lukauskis, who didn’t know that he’d made the final squad until the end of Lithuania’s pre-Olympic warm-up trip to Spain, led his team with a game-high 20 points in Saturday’s 86-73 triumph over Croatia – a result that clinched first place in Group A.

He spoke to FIBA.com after the game.

FIBA: Mindaugas, as expected, Croatia made you work for your fourth triumph at the Olympics. How much does this win mean for you and your team-mates?

Lukauskis: It's a great win for us. Croatia are not an easy team to play against. In the first quarter they out-rebounded us on defense and they went up by 10 points but we tried to do our best, we fought hard and stayed in the game. Then we shifted into sixth gear in the fourth quarter. Everybody wants to win games at the Olympics. We knew we had to give everything we had and we did that.

FIBA: You certainly came out strong today, finishing seven of nine from the floor and having a game-high 20 points.

Lukauskis: Sometimes you have good games and sometimes you have bad ones, that's how it goes. One day you are better on defense and another day on offense. Aside from the individual performance, the important thing is that the team fights hard and that is what we are doing game by game.

FIBA: Four wins out of four games shows that Lithuania are a contender for the podium.

Lukauskis: We are trying to win every game. Every win is important for us. We are proud to have done it so far, not only for ourselves but for our nation and for the fans that have come all this way to support us. Now we can rest tomorrow and get back on the court on Monday against Australia and win. We have to keep going, we are hoping to compete for medals just like the rest of the teams here.

FIBA: Mindaugas, your last tournament with the basketball team was back at EuroBasket 2005 in Belgrade where you averaged 3.5 points per game and 2.2 assists. How easy was it for you to get back in the national team and to compete in your first Olympics?

Lukauskis: I'm very happy that the coaches selected me in this team, that they brought me to the Olympics and that my team-mates believe in me. To be here, representing my country at the Olympics is one of the most important things in life. We have great players in Lithuania, and to be included in the first squad and to step on the Wukesong Arena court to play is a beautiful dream come true.

FIBA: This is a very competitive tournament. Has there been a team that has surprised you so far?

Lukauskis: The level of basketball at the Olympics has been good. Every team has highs and lows in the tournament but I think China can pull out a surprise. They played great against Spain and it will be interesting to watch them play their next games and see what they do.

FIBA: You mentioned the fans that turn up to cheer for Lithuania. What message would you like to send to them?

Lukauskis: Our fans love basketball. We are very happy to have them here. Whenever we play, they are there, singing and supporting us every step of the way. They help us a lot and I want to thank them and hope they are enjoying our performances as we are enjoying their company.

FIBA