LTU – Spirited Kemzura rallies the troops in Lithuania
KAUNAS (2010 FIBA World Championship) - There has been plenty of doom and gloom around Lithuania's national team in recent weeks with announcements that some veteran players won't be turning out for the national side at the FIBA World Championship. What has never been in doubt, however, is the passion new coach Kestutis Kemzura has for Lithuanian ...
KAUNAS (2010 FIBA World Championship) - There has been plenty of doom and gloom around Lithuania's national team in recent weeks with announcements that some veteran players won't be turning up for the FIBA World Championship.
What has never been in doubt, however, is the passion new coach Kestutis Kemzura has for Lithuanian basketball.
And there is also no question about the young talent in the country.
Kemzura wanted to drive that point home on Wednesday, the first day of the national team preparations for Turkey.
“There is ‘Lietuva’ written on each and every one of those jerseys," said Kemzura.
"Nothing about it being a reserve squad or a second team or anything of that sort.
"We’re all representing Lithuania.”
Kemzura, a Lithuanian, represented Latvia last year as their coach at the EuroBasket in Poland.
He was offered a contract extension but decided to apply for the Lithuania job made vacant after the resignation of Ramunas Butautas.
Kemzura beat out Rimas Kurtinaitis for the Lithuania post.
Lithuania have a couple of warm-up games coming up at Great Britain and they will soon travel to China for five more against the Far East giants.
Great Britain are getting ready for their EuroBasket qualifying campaign while the Chinese will be in Group C of the FIBA World Championship.
Those who attended Wednesday’s workouts were Martynas Andriuskevicius, Renaldas Seibutis, Aidas Viskontas, Arvydas Eitutavicius, Adas Juskevicius, Arvydas Siksnius, Valdas Dabkus, Valdas Vasylius, Vytautas Sarakauskas Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Deivydas Gailius.
Zalgiris Kaunas power forward Tadas Klimavicius and Benetton Treviso's power forward/center Donatas Motiejunas weren't able to take part but should soon join the team.
Martynas Mazeika also missed out but should also be with the squad soon.
Lithuania will compete in Group D at the FIBA World Championship against Spain, France, New Zealand, Canada and Lebanon.
Both Lithuania and Lebanon received wild cards to play at the event.
FIBA