EuroBasket 2011 started today in Lithuania. This small Eastern bloc country is starting to become a basketball powerhouse and hosting this event will only make the sport more popular. In this part of the world, soccer is usually number one, but not in Lithuania. Children grow up playing basketball on hoops attached to the roofs of their garages. While traveling along the countryside you see basketball hoops bolted to sides of farms and houses, much like what you would see in Indiana. Winning the U-19 World Championships was a great boost to this country formerly part of the Soviet Union. Now they need to perform well in EuroBasket with their national team, or else.
The only player of note to play in the NBA from Lithuania was Arvydas Sabonis, but that is sure to change after having two draft picks in the top ten this year. To the people of Lithuania though, the national team far exceeds any other playing exploits and is the one thing that gets them excited. This is a great time of year for the citizens and they will make sure to host a great EuroBasket tournament. Spain started off the tournament by defeating Poland, 83-78, and Serbia toppled Italy, 80-68. Lithuania plays later tonight against Great Britain and has a tough task ahead of them in the pool stage. Spain and Turkey are also in their group and they will need to bring their "A" game if they want to come out alive on the other side. Overall, this should play out to be a great EuroBasket Championship.
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