By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Lithuania’s guard, Margiris Normantas, suffered an ankle injury during the team’s 74–71 victory over Sweden in their final EuroBasket group game.
Four minutes into the first quarter, Normantas stepped on Sweden guard Melwin Pantzar’s foot, rolling his ankle. He was quickly subbed out and later returned to the bench with his left ankle iced.
“Yes, we have some problems with injuries, but anyway, we still have ten guys”, said stoically coach Rimantas Kurtinaitis, referring also to the fact that starting point guard Rokas Jokubaitis is also out for the tournament.
“We have done some things differently, not like usual, because we have no real playmaker, we have Arnas (ed. note: Velicka) who was very good today, and we will try to play like that”, the coach added.
Normantas is averaging 8.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in the tournament. Lithuania finished the group stage 4–1, though their final seed in Group B depends on tonight’s Finland vs. Germany result.
Photo credit: FIBA