'It shows that we're honest with ourselves,' says Lithuania team veteran Mindaugas Kuzminskas
MANILA, Philippines – Looking back, a rare win over the USA might have done Lithuania more harm than good in the FIBA World Cup.
Completing a 5-0 sweep of the group rounds, Lithuania reached the final phase as one of the two remaining unbeaten teams along with Germany only to witness its World Cup dreams crushed by Serbia in an 87-68 loss. Fans have since wondered what would have happened if the Lithuanians ended up losing to the USA and facing Italy instead in the last eight, but team veteran Mindaugas Kuzminskas has no regrets.
“I think that’s pride. It shows that we’re honest with ourselves. We lost, but I think I’m happy that we gave everything. Sometimes these things are above everything.”Still, Kuzminskas could not help but think about what ifs, especially after Lithuania shot the lights out in its 100-84 win over Slovenia on Thursday, September 7, to advance to the playoff for fifth place.
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