Lithuania - Lebanon Highlights (FIBA World Championship 2010 Turkey)

IZMIR (FIBA World Championship) -- Lithuania have seen off a strong challenge for three quarters before recording a clear but hard fought 84-66 victory over Lebanon in their final game in Group D in Izmir, and now face China in the Eight Finals on Tuesday.

When Lithuania opened a 8-2 lead after five minutes it appeared the game could be over quickly, but captain El Khatib led a strong Lebanon fightback to level scores at 16-16 at the first break.

The Lithuanian zone made it hard for their opponents in the second quarter, but Lebanon were aggressive in the passing lanes and kept the scoreboard ticking over to remain within seven at half time, Fahed outstanding with 13 points before the break.

Lebanon continued their impressive resistance in the third term, forcing Lithuania to compete hard to maintain their lead, but an 11-4 run over the last two minutes gave the Europeans a 64-51 three quarter time lead. Lebanon pushed again in the final term, closing to single figures before their opponent's class shone through.

For the winners, Martynas Gecevicius had his best game for the tournament with 16 points, while while Linas Kleiza was again in double figures with 10 Renaldas Seibutis surged late to finish with 17.

Rony Fahed was superb for Lebanon with 19 points and Jackson Vroman had 15.


Quotes:

Tab Baldwin (coach, Lebanon): I feel sad that we didnt quafily from groups and could not have gone to Istanbul. Victory against Canada was important for us. Basketball has it's own fluctuation but all my players did their best and developed themselves. I congratulate Lithuania, they struggled hard and they deserved win.

Fadi El Khatib (player, Lebanon): Well, Lithuania has great players. We did not play our game. I had a responsibilty as team captain to motivate my teammates for this match. But, we did our best at the end. I think Lithuania will play in the final four, because their defence is hard, their speed is good and they got very good playmaker. They have players I enjoy watching, like Kleiza.

Kestutis Kemzura (coach, Lebanon): It was difficult to meet Lebanon's offense, even though we were prepared. They fought hard. Concentration was the key for both teams but I knew Lebanon would not give up easily and they showed their team spirit in this game. We did not play bad but their complicated tactics in offence surprised us. It took a while to adapt to the game but with pressure we won.

Renaldas Seibutis (player, Lithuania): Lebanon really showed a tough game and it was hard for us. Actually coach told us it would happen in the locker room. This game required full concentration for the full time. It was a hard group for us but taking four wins is a boost for our confidence. We always believed in our game.


FIBA

Paulo Kennedy

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Lithuania
• vs
• Lebanon
• FIBA
• World
• Championship
• 2010
• Turkey
• basketball
• Lietuva
• Libanas
• pasaulio
• cempionatas
• turkija

[megapixel16]

Tiesa sakant Lietuva man primena Vokietija kuri zaide pasaulio futbolo cempionate taip pat jauna rinktine niekas is jos nesitikejo stebuklu o eme ir paeme 3 vieta ir buvo graziausiai zaidzenti komanda. Lietua irgi labai panasi tik kad zaidze krepsini. Manau kad eisime labai toli gal but netgi iki finalo o jei ne tai 3 vieta manau bus musu.

[FruityLoopsas]

@megapixel16 Lietuva nuo 1950 ar dar ankščiau krepšinio titulus renkasi, todėl kažką čia painioji... jie visada kovodavo ir iškovodavo.... būdavo pertraukos, bet krepšinio istorija pas mus labai gera......

[muntiukas]

@megapixel16 jo, man irgi labai su Vokietijos futbolo rinktine asociavos musiškiai :D

[MrFranc1z]

Name of song?

[lockerzstuff100]

very good match for the lebos

[dormeokaka]

maciulis rode toi pideraste gulesi cia :D

[Nonadievis]

Superb pass from Lebanon 1:20

[TheEdmas]

ten kai skyre buvo geras :D , tas kaip tevas atejo :D

[powis52]

4 vieta jau garantuota

[pancenka]

geras