LTU - The girls were emotionally charged up: Kumpiene

BANGKOK (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Lithunia coach Ramune Kumpiene's joy knew no bounds after her girls snatched victory from right under a fancied opponents' nose on Tuesday.

FIBA.com's S Mageshwaran caught up with the coach moments after the fantastic revival.

It was an incredible run. Wasn't it?

Yes. The girls were simply brilliant. It was like all our plans were being executed to perfection.

We did struggle in the first two quarters, but I was telling myself that the turnaround can come anytime.

Also I think the girls were emotionally charged up to play well against this team.

It was more a question of the psychological factor clicking for the girls.

You had a bad start, but have done well after that…

I think we took a long time to adapt to the conditions.

We came in five days before the Championship, but for most of the girls this is their first trip outside Europe. And let's not forget all of them are very young.

Therefore it looks like the time we spent here was simply not sufficient. And we were up against a very good team in the opening game.

All these factors affected our game against the Czechs.

I think it also had to do with the preparations we had.

Half of this team was playing the European U18 Championship and we had very little time together. The game against the Czechs was virtually the first together as a team.

And like I said earlier, the difference in time zone was a major factor in the very opening game.

But I'm glad we are now knocking the doors of the quarterfinals.

Your thoughts on the next game.

We play Argentina, another team on the raise.

They have had some good results here and look eager. It won't be easy at all.

I'm counting on our game today, especially the latter part to keep us in good stead.

What is your opinion on the future of this team, in the context of Lithuanian women's basketball?

This is a team with a lot of potential.

Women's basketball in Lithuanian basketball has not got as much credit as the men have.

This team has shown some good results in the last three years, including winning the gold medal in the 2008 European U18 Championship for Women.

I hope those results will make people back home look up at women's basketball.

I am very optimistic of this team being able to not only bring more people into the sport but also put Lithuania among the top teams in international women's basketball.

I look at every game we play as the next step towards a brighter future.

FIBA