Brazdeikis, a Lithuanian believer: “We want to play in the European Championship” / News
Ignas Brazdeikis fulfilled one of his dreams when he registered for the Lithuanian national team jersey for the first time this summer in the World Championship selection window. However, the appetite grows without eating, so the expatriate Lithuanian has several top goals for the team at the upcoming European Championship.
“I always dreamed of representing Lithuania in such a tournament. It’s nice to finally be here, – said the 23-year-old Lithuanian who grew up in Canada while talking to FIBA representatives. “Although I grew up and played basketball in Canada, I always wanted to play with the Lithuanian national team.”
“Even when I grew up, I always watched how this national team played. Together with family and friends, we watched all the biggest events,” said the new member of Kaunas “Žalgiris”.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Slovenia, Hungary and Germany await Lithuanians in Group B of the European Championship.
According to Brazdeikis, the Lithuanian national team has the potential to win the eighth European Championship medal this year.
“We want to make a splash in the European Championship,” Brazdeikis said. – We have every chance to win it all. We have talented players and coaches with us.”
11 thousand in the first summer. The fans of the Lithuanian national team gathered in the “Žalgiris” arena saw how Slovenia, led by Luka Dončičius, threw the Lithuanians out of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
This year, Lithuania will meet the Slovenians again.
“I am very happy that I will have a chance to play against Slovenia,” said Ignas. – This will be the first time I will compete on the big FIBA stage. I’ve never shied away from a match like this. We will be ready for this match. That loss against the Slovenians really left a bitter taste.
That will only make it more fun. We are all eager to compete and achieve the highest goals. That’s what we want.”
Brazdeikis, who developed with the University of Michigan Wolverines, spent the first three seasons of his professional career between the NBA and the G League. Ignas admitted that he needed to get used to European basketball.
“The tempo of the game in Europe is a little different,” explained the player of the Lithuanian national team. – As far as I have seen, basketball in Europe is very strategic and focused on defense. Everyone defends hard. You have to come prepared for every match.”
In the matches against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, Brazdeikis recorded 14.5 points.
“There was a special moment for me in the first memorable match against Bulgaria – Ignas made his debut for the Lithuanian national team. – It was an intense and tense match. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m in no rush and I’m just enjoying every moment.”
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