Slovenia earn an important win in the second which puts them closer to the second Eurobasket quarter-final in he history of Slovenian basketball. Jaka Lakovic led his team to 81-58 victory over one of the worst looking teams this year, Lithuania.
Only the first minutes of the game showed some promise that this could be a interesting battle between two quality teams. But soon Slovenia took the game in their own hands and blew away all the determination of their opponents.
Guarding Jaka Lakovic was mission impossible for Lithuanian guards as Lakovic hit 6-out-of-9 three pointers and scored 24 points in total. Jure Zdovc, head coach of Slovenia, could keep Matjaz Smodis on the bench for the whole game as his players had no trouble on the court.
The score 43-26 for Slovenia at the half time and although there was plenty of time left to play, there was little doubt of who would win this game. Sovenia kept increased their lead as they won 3 out of 4 quarters.
Ramunas Butautas, head coach of Lithuania, made some changes in the second half including the first appearance of Mantas Kalnietis in this year's Eurobasket. Zalgiris's point guard managed to become the top scorer for Lithuania with 15 points.
More than 4000 Lithuanian fans in Lodz left the arena disappointed as their favourite team played one of the worst game in the history. Meanwhile Slovenian fans had a reason to celebrate and are already planning to buy tickets to the final stage of Eurobasket from Lithuanian fans who will be forced to go home sooner than they planned.
58 – Lithuania – (18+8+13+19): Mantas Kalnietis 15, Jonas Maciulis 11, Ksystof Lavrinovic 7, Darjus Lavrinovic 6, Linas Kleiza 6, Simas Jasaitis 4 Marijonas Petravicius 4, Robertas Javtokas 4, Arturas Jomantas 1.
81 – Slovenia – (28+15+19+19): Jaka Lakovic 24, Erazem Lorbek 17, Uros Slokar 11, Bostjan Nachbar 11, Jurica Golemac 9, Domen Lorbek 5, Goran Dragic 2, Samo Udrih 2.
