In an interview aired on the program “From 9 meters,” legendary coach V. Garastas commented on the 2011 European basketball championships held in Lithuania, asserting his significant role in the event’s realization. Garastas publicly stated that his efforts were instrumental in making the hosting of the European championship possible for Lithuania in 2011.
According to Garastas, the groundwork for this achievement was established during the 1995 European basketball championship. He recalled the final match of that tournament, where the Lithuanian men’s team, under his coaching, faced Yugoslavia. During the fourth quarter, the game was temporarily suspended after the Lithuanian players protested several decisions made by the referees.
These reflections highlight a long-standing connection between Garastas and major international basketball events in the region. While discussing the sport’s current climate, the interview also featured comments from R. Vyšniauskas, who noted a perceived decline in the popularity of basketball across Europe.
Garastas’s recounting of the 1995 final serves to anchor his narrative, suggesting that the sustained engagement with the sport, evidenced by the intensity of that championship and the subsequent decades, was crucial. His statements position him as a key figure whose sustained involvement helped solidify Lithuania’s capacity to host a major international tournament years later.
Topics: #european #garastas #championship
It’s fascinating to hear the details of the organization behind such a major event.