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Monday August 2nd , 2010 CHALLENGE IN LITHUNAIA! In every game, in every league, opponents enter a basketball game facing different challenges. Some challenges are physical as one team might be bigger or one team is smaller or one team is deeper. Other challenges are mental as one team has confidence over another because of past success. Some challenges are emotional as a road team must generate energy or a victorious team must maintain their intensity after a big win. Analyzing a game from the perspective of two opposing teams becomes very interesting. In Lithuania, our Czech National team faced several distinct challenges as met for breakfast at the restaurant in the Romantic Hotel Monday August 2nd, 2010 in Panevezys. Since we came together and became a team in Liberec, we had worked through training camp and started with a successful tournament in Sofia Bulgaria beating Austira and upsetting Bulgaria. Dining from plates filled with eggs and sausage for breakfast, later that night Lithuania would be ready for a fast break. While we were hungry, we knew we would have our hands full. Abusing Finland 91-59, Lithuania's next generation of talent looked on target for the World Championships in Turkey this September and Eurobasket 2011 in Lithuania next fall. With 16 players fighting for 12 honorable roster spots on the Lithuanian National team head coach Kestutis Kemzura and staff were focused to continue their roster-evaluation Monday night in Cido Arena.
Physio Petr Toncar works on Lubos Barton before Game Day shootaround Monday at Cido Arena in Panevezys, Lithuania Riding on the team bus over to our morning shootaround, I was surprised to see a line of basketball fans buying tickets for our game later that night. Once again, I respected Lithuania as basketball country. Arriving at the back of the arena, Vladimir pulled our bus into the parking garage and dropped us off at the entrance as the door to door service was another reminder of how Lithuania respects basketball. On the way into the arena I stopped at the Security office and joked with the guard about watching out teams practice as the Lithuanian team shot jumpshots on one of his 10 monitors. While our players went into the lockerroom, I waited outside with Ladja and Honza. Inside, physio Petr Toncar went to work helping prepare the players for practice taping ankles, giving massages and providing treatment. Pavel joined us and we waited until 11:59 to walk up to the arena floor. Green and gold Lithuanian colors filled the home bench as memories of the Lithuanian team from recent competitions filled my mind. Winding down their workout, an older guy wearing a white tank top was walking around collecting jerseys and gear. Their physio was stretching out certain players. Linas Kleiza walked off the floor. Pavel pointed out number six Jonas Maciulis. Head coach Kestutis Kemzura walked over to shake hands. Quickly, the Lithuanian team disappeared from the arena and the floor was ours.
Coaches share a laugh as players warmup The bounce of the basketballs and squeaks of the shoes filled the empty arena. The black jerseys proudly read Czech Republic. As coaches, we went with blue t-shirts and black shorts for the morning. Huddling together for a few words prior to practice, Pavel, Honza and I shared some laughs. Soon, Pavel blew the whistle and we all moved to midcourt. Speaking in Czech, Pavel described his vision for the day and gave the team details for our game plan. He understood the challenge. From our morning coaches talk and pre-practice huddle, I also understood what he said even if I did not know what he was saying. Pregame shooting was solid and the team was ready. We returned to the Romantic Hotel and ate our lunch at 1:30pm. Everyone retreated to their rooms for valuable rest. At 5pm we were dressed and ready for a snack. Coffee and cakes together for fifteen minutes before boarding the team bus. Egis and Vladimir told us they would root for two teams tonight, both Lithuania and Czech Republic. At least we had two 'half' fans with us. I was so excited going to the arena. The energy carried me through warmups. I put the game plan information Pavel wanted on the board in the lockerroom. It was a classic green chalk board and with every stroke there was a screech of white chalk. Our key words for the game were 'Tempo Control', 'Discipline' and 'Teamwork vs Pressure'. The challenge for our team was clear as Pavel took the team for the talk 45 minutes before tip. Pavel explained to the team that we were playing to improve the credit and respect of Czech Republic basketball in Lithuania. We were facing an outstanding team which would pressure us for 40 minutes just like their 91-56 win over Finland. We were facing a team which would execute with precision on offense and shoot the lights out if we were not ready to defend. We were facing a home court advantage for Lithuania at Cido Arena where basketball fans support their team with passion. Huddling together at the end of Pavel's talk, captain Petr Benda yelled 'Rvi Si Jako' with determination; we all responded 'Lev' with desire. Pre-game player introductions! Warmup was fantastic. The crowd filled the arena and many fans wore what looked like indian feathers in green, yellow and red. The Lithuania team was impressive in warmups --- extremely professional and all business. Ladja took our team through a strong warmup of our own. What I particularly liked was the resistance drills he did in order to activate the physicality of our players. As the pre-game clock ticked down, the intensity on the floor picked up. Our challenge was at hand. When both teams went to their benches, the beauty of national team basketball presented itself. They announced our team and the players stood in a line across the floor proudly presenting the blue Czech Republic uniforms with white and red trim. On the other bench, the white uniforms trimmed in green and gold remained in a huddle. Before introducing the team, the video screens on the overhead scoreboard showed a motivational video. It was awesome. The video started with scenes of great Lithuanian teams and legendary Lithuanian players. Clips of Sabonis, Marciulionis, Arturas Karnišovas and Jasikevicius all making plays with emotion. Intense choir music added drama. At the end, a yellow word LIETUVA (Lithuania) was scripted on the scoreboard. Suddenly, the V morphed into a beating red heart and the music went down so that all that remained was a heart beat...thump-thump...thump-thump. What little Lithuanian boy would not dream of playing basketball for the national team? After that introduction, I loved Lithuania too.
Lubos Barton sinks a free throw in the first quarter against Lithuania. The pre-game pin-exchange took place and the game tipped off. Focused and ready, the Czech team started strong opening a 16-9 lead midway through the first quarter. Spreading out the Lithuanian pressure defense, the athletic Czech guards Pavel Slezak and Pavel Pumprla created and made plays. With early momentum, our team was on fire with energy. Recognizing the favored Lithuanian team struggling out of the blocks, officials helpd the home team into the bonus. Scoring from the foul line, Lithuania worked their way back into the game. Finally, in the closing possessions of the first half, the hosts edged ahead for a 25-24 advantage after the first ten minutes.
Lithuanian fans filled Cido Arena with excellent energy for their National team. Stabalizing their team in the second quarter, Lithuania pushed ahead behind Paulius Jankunas who finished the first half with 10 points 3 rebounds and 2 important three pointers. Through the first five minutes of the second quarter, the game remained back and forth but a 10-0 run pushed Lithuania to a 39-33 lead. Reeling from the home crowed and strong Lithuania run, the Czech team struggled to finish plays. At the half, the Lithuanian squad had claimed a 49-42 lead. As a team, Lithuania hit 60% of their shots making 5 of 10 threes and 16 of 23 free throws (69%). Lithuania outrebounded Czech Republic 20-16 while Czech Republic hit 56% from the floor but only 3 of 13 threes and 7 of 7 free throws. Captain Petr Benda paced the Czech Republic scoring with 10 points of his own followed by Pavel Slezak, Pavel Pumprla and Pavel Houska with 7 points each.
The second half turned into a tremendous basketball game. At the half, trailing by 7, the Czech lockerroom was positive but not satisfied. Pavel reminded the team to play with emotional discipline and not get caught up in the 18-9 foul count. Despite the disadvantage from the foul line, there were many positives to the first half of play for the visiting Czech team. With a few adjustments, the team returned to the floor ready to face the challenge.
Early in the third, Lithuania maintained control of the action while the Czech offense did not capitalize on early opportunities. Trailing 57-46, the Czech squad exploded on a 9-0 run trimming the gap to 57-55. Pavel Houska hit several big baskets during the stretch including an across the body midlane post move that befuddled his Lithuanian defender. Momentum continued to spark the upset minded guests as Lubos Barton made several important plays on both ends. By the end of the third quarter, the Czech team had battled back to take a 61-60 lead.
Pavel Slezak at the foul line in the fourth quarter. As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Czech Republic team showed they were up for the challenge in Lithuania. No player in blue would back down. Making big baskets or finishing strong defensive stops, the upset minded Czech team built a 69-63 lead with five minutes remaining. International friendly game or not, the action between Czech Republic and Lithuania was great. The clock ticked down with the most important possessions of the game. Czech held a 73-71 lead into the final minute of action as point guard Michal Carnecky advanced the basketball against stiff Lithuania ball pressure. Nearly losing control while crossing the halfcourt line, Carnecky evaded pressure to the right side of the floor. But 'Chardo' lost control momentarily before regaining control on the left side. Facing tremendous Lithuanian ball pressure, the shot clock ticked down under ten and the halfcourt line pressed Chardo for a backcourt. All this happened at once in a ten second span on a crucial possession. With his back to the basket to protect the basketball, Chardo looked to his left, then to his right. The clock ticked under five. This possession was going no-where. But Chardo looked back to his right. From the wing, Pavel Pumprla cut backdoor. In the blink of an eye, Chardo sailed a lob pass to the rim. The athletic Pumprla caught the pass with 2 seconds on the shot clock and acrobatically transfered the lob into the basket just before the buzzer. The unbelievable backdoor, halfcourt lob play had worked! We took a 75-71 lead. Lithuania called time. Just over one shot clock remained with 26 seconds. Out of the timeout, Lithuania attacked the basket and after their hardwork grabbed an offensive rebound, Lubos Barton used a foul. Two makes later, Czech held a 75-73 lead. Pavel called timeout. Advancing the ball to halfcourt, Pavel drew a midcourt sideline inbound play designed to deliver the ball to Lubos Barton using a screen from Pavel Houska. Out of the timeout, as players took the floor, Lithuania pressed up on the Czech five. When the official handed Pavel Pumprla the basketball, Lithuania defensive pressure had already begun. The screen between Houska and Barton was switched. No one was open. Czech players began their secondary cuts to get open. But the official whistled five seconds. It seemed to be a fast five seconds. But the Lithuania defensive pressure worked. Needing two points to tie, the disciplined and intelligent Lithuania team played with poise and patience. Swinging the basketball quickly into the corner, another clutch Lithuanian shot tied the score at 75 with five seconds to play --- Timeout Czech Republic. Huddling the team toghether, Pavel drew up the same action that was successful in Bulgaria with good floor spacing and a strong one on one drive. But at halfcourt, before the ball was in play, we all knew what was about to happen. Lithuania had 1 foul in the fourth quarter meaning they had 3 fouls to give. It all developed quickly with the first foul at halfcourt. The second foul took place closer to the basket which led to another sideline inbound. Finally, a third foul along the baseline set up an endline in bound situation for the Czech team with 1.6 seconds to play. Out of timeouts, the team organized and set up on the fly. In a triangle set, the players creatively screened and read the defense. As Michal Carnecky held the ball on the right side, Pavel Houska popped out the backside and was wide open along the baseline. Chardo zipped in the basketball and Houshie had an open look to win the game --- his shot rimmed out. Czech Republic and Lithuania finished forty minutes even 75-75; bonus basketball in basketball country!
Czech Lions huddle after a hardfought overtime loss to Lithuania Overtime was over quickly. Lithuania continued to score from the foul line and eventually broke the game open. At the final buzzer the hosts celebrated a hardfought 93-84 overtime win. In the end, Lithuania's 39 of 45 performance from the foul line overpowered the 16 for 19 from the Czechs. It was a fantastic game. For the Czech team Pavel Houska finished with 18 points 5 boards, Pavel Slezak added 15 points while Pavel Pumprla, Lubos Barton and Petr Benda chipped in 13 points apiece. As a team the Czech squad made 53% from the floor including 6 of 21 threes (28%) while Lithuania hit 46% of their shots including 9 of 22 (40%) from beyond the arc. Paulius Jankunas paced Lithuania with an outstanding 25 point 12 rebound performance while Jonas Maciulis and Renaldas Seibutis had 10 apiece. Painfully close to a memorable upset, the only victory our Czech team could celebrate was a moral one. But unlike expected breakfast, it was the Lithuanian team who had their hands full. Back at the hotel, the intensity of the challenge had passed, just like our opportunity for an upset. Proud of our teams effort, our coaching staff sat outside and discussed the action as a cool Lithuanian breeze gently touched a beautiful summer night. Although we had lost, we had responded to the challenge --- the challenge to change the mentality. Pavel's push for a positive, aggressive, attacking team helped put us in a position to win. The team had fought like Lions. Later, Lubos Barton wanted some company. We talked until late. After other staff members turned in, Pavel joined us and we talked basketball until the restaurant kicked us out. The journey of our Czech National team was moving in a positive direction with the next challenges ahead. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm and international baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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