Basketball in Lithuania

TRADITIONALTRADITIONAL SPORTS IN SPORTS IN LITHUANIALITHUANIA

Made by Ieva and PovilasMade by Ieva and Povilas

20122012

We are very proud of our Olimpic We are very proud of our Olimpic champions in swimming, champions in swimming, pentathlonpentathlon, , rowingrowing, boxing and , boxing and wrestlingwrestling..

swimmer Rūta Meilutytėswimmer Rūta Meilutytė

ppentathlonentathlon athlete Laura athlete Laura AsadauskaitėAsadauskaitė

rower Jevgenijus Šuklinasrower Jevgenijus Šuklinas

boxer Evaldas Petrauskasboxer Evaldas Petrauskas

wrestler Aleksandras Kazakevičiuswrestler Aleksandras Kazakevičius

We also like football but basketball is We also like football but basketball is our second religion.our second religion.

HISTORY OF BASKETBALL IN HISTORY OF BASKETBALL IN LITHUANIALITHUANIA

Lithuanians started play basketball in Lithuanians started play basketball in 1920.1920.

HISTORYHISTORY

TThe first basketball game took place in he first basketball game took place in 19221922..

VICTORIESVICTORIES

ThThe men's national team won three e men's national team won three Olympic bronze medals, three times Olympic bronze medals, three times was the European championwas the European championss and and once once they wonthey won European silver. European silver.

OUR TEAMSOUR TEAMS

There are 27 basketball teams in There are 27 basketball teams in Lithuania. The most famous are Lithuania. The most famous are “Žalgiris” and “Lietuvos rytas”.“Žalgiris” and “Lietuvos rytas”.

OUR TEAM IN OUR REGIONOUR TEAM IN OUR REGION

Team “Rūdupis” is the nearest team to Team “Rūdupis” is the nearest team to Šilavotas. It is Prienai basketball Šilavotas. It is Prienai basketball team.team.

LKLLKL Lithuania has Lithuania has

got got “Lithuanians “Lithuanians basketball basketball league”(LKL).league”(LKL).

The team The team “Žalgiris” is “Žalgiris” is the winner of the winner of “LKL 2012”.“LKL 2012”.

THE NATIONAL TEAM IN THE NATIONAL TEAM IN LITHUNIANSLITHUNIANS

The head coach of The head coach of National Team is National Team is Kęstutis Kemzūra, Kęstutis Kemzūra, assistant coaches assistant coaches are Robertas are Robertas Kuncaitis and Kuncaitis and Donaldas Kairys.Donaldas Kairys.

Famous Lithuania's Famous Lithuania's basketball playersbasketball players

PRANAS LUBINASPRANAS LUBINAS

Was born in 1910 in Los Angeles;Was born in 1910 in Los Angeles;

was a leader of Lithuania National was a leader of Lithuania National Team in 1937 and 1939;Team in 1937 and 1939;

won Eurobasket gold medals with won Eurobasket gold medals with Lithuania National Team;Lithuania National Team;

MODESTAS PAULAUSKASMODESTAS PAULAUSKAS

was born in 1945;was born in 1945;

was the first Lithuanian who won was the first Lithuanian who won Olympic medal with the Soviet Union; Olympic medal with the Soviet Union;

RIMAS KURTINAITISRIMAS KURTINAITISWas born in 1960;Was born in 1960;Was the sniper Was the sniper who always was who always was selected to the selected to the Soviet Union Soviet Union team and team and Lithuania’s Lithuania’s National team; National team;

ŠARŪNAS MARČIULIONISŠARŪNAS MARČIULIONIS

Was born in 1964;Was born in 1964;

Was the first Was the first Lithuanian who had Lithuanian who had played in NBA;played in NBA;

ARVYDAS SABONISARVYDAS SABONIS

Was born in 1964;Was born in 1964;

Many people say that he Many people say that he is the best Lithuania's is the best Lithuania's basketball player ever; basketball player ever;

ŽYDRŪNAS ILGAUSKASŽYDRŪNAS ILGAUSKAS

Was born in 1975;Was born in 1975;

reached the most in the reached the most in the NBA of all Lithuanians;NBA of all Lithuanians;

was drafted in NBA by was drafted in NBA by 20th pick 1 round;20th pick 1 round;

LITHUANIAN BASKETBALL LITHUANIAN BASKETBALL PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN

THE NBA:THE NBA:Arvydas Sabonis (Portland Trail Arvydas Sabonis (Portland Trail Blazers, 1995-2001, 2002-03) Blazers, 1995-2001, 2002-03)

Šarūnas Marčiulionis (Golden State Šarūnas Marčiulionis (Golden State Warriors and other teams, 1989-1997) Warriors and other teams, 1989-1997)

Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (still playing for Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (still playing for Cleveland Cavaliers) Cleveland Cavaliers)

Darius Songaila (still playing for Darius Songaila (still playing for Washington Wizards)Washington Wizards)

And others..And others..

TO SUM UPTO SUM UP

Basketball is indeed the most Basketball is indeed the most precious sport in Lithuania more than precious sport in Lithuania more than what you think of. Basketball for the what you think of. Basketball for the Lithuanian is not only sport, it is also Lithuanian is not only sport, it is also their kind of life philosophy and for their kind of life philosophy and for many, it is their religion. many, it is their religion.

We have some songs for the We have some songs for the basketball fans. One of them is basketball fans. One of them is

“Three Million” by Marijonas “Three Million” by Marijonas Mikutavičius. Mikutavičius.