Olympic Legends – Lithuania’s near upset

LONDON (Olympics) - Lithuania have a rich tradition in international basketball with many memories to savor.

In fact, even in defeat, the world has often looked at the Lithuanians as if they were winners.

That was the case at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, when a Lithuania side coached by Jonas Kazlauskas almost beat the United States in the Semi Finals but lost in overtime, 85-83.

A guard who ran up and down the floor for the Maryland Terrapins in American college basketball, Sarunas Jasikevicius, went from 'up-and-coming' to 'bona fide' international star with 27 points for the Baltic side.

Early in the second half, a thriller hadn't looked to be on the cards.

The United States, a team loaded with NBA players, got their fair share of highlight reel plays, including a reverse dunk from Vince Carter.

They had seemed to be on their way to a convincing win.

After scoring at the start of the second half for a 50-36 advantage, though, Jasikevicius brought the Lithuanians back.

Following a three-ball from Saulius Stombergas, Jasikevicius caught a pass at the top of the key and popped another to reduce the deficit to 50-42.

With 16:30 to go, Mindaugas Timinskas received a pass at the top of the key and drilled a trey to cut the gap to 54-49.

Trailing 54-51, the USA stopped Stombergas' penetration but he looked outside and saw Jasikevicius standing alone on the arc and gave the ball to his teammate.

Jasikevicius hit nothing but the bottom of the net to knot the contest at 54-54 with more than 15 minutes to go.

With many of the neutrals in the crowd cheering the underdog Lithuanians on, Jasikevicius ran down the court and pumped his fist to the fans.

The heavily-favored United States found themselves in a dogfight the rest of the way.

The Lithuanians didn't just live behind three-point line but began to drive into the lane and score against the intimidating American front-line that included Alonzo Mourning and Kevin Garnett.

With 3:15 to go, the USA dodged a three-point bullet but failed to box out Lithuania who scored on the put-back.

Nothing ended up separating the sides by the end of the game and it went to overtime.

The USA got the noses in front but had to sweat out a nervous last 4.6 seconds.

On top 85-83, Lithuania inbounded the ball to Jasikevicius and he brought the ball up the floor while being hounded by USA superstar Jason Kidd.

With no time to spare, Jasikevicius spun and launched a shot from four feet behind the arc.

The ball flew towards the basket but only glanced off the front of the rim as the USA survived.

The United States, who showed great poise themselves to avoid defeat, got 18 points from Carter while Jasikevicius walked off the court after that final miss with a game-high 27 after making five of 11 shots from the arc.

While the USA followed up the triumph with a gold-medal game win over France, Lithuania didn't leave Australia empty-handed as they beat the hosts in the bronze-medal game, 89-71.

Three years later would prove to be the finest moment for Jasikevicius and Lithuania as they captured the gold medal at the EuroBasket in Sweden.

Jasikevicius was named MVP of that tournament.

FIBA