Tornado KM “Xiaomi” win bronze at prestigious tournament in Italy

2026 balandis 08 d., trečiadienis

From April 2–7, Tornado KM “Xiaomi” team, coached by Aivaras Grigaliūnas, competed in the prestigious 32nd international youth basketball tournament “Città di Lissone” in Italy. A total of 12 teams from around the world took part in the tournament, representing the USA, Italy, Canada, Sweden, Estonia, Ukraine, and Lithuania. Among them were well-known basketball academies such as Stella Azzurra Roma, Orange1 Basket, Step Higher Academy, and Columbus Basketball Club. One of the most unique aspects of the tournament was that players stayed with Italian host families throughout the week. This not only allowed them to experience the local culture up close but also added a special sense of warmth and authenticity to the entire event.

The teams were divided into four groups of three, with the top two from each group advancing to compete for places 1–8. Tornado opened the tournament with a hard-fought game against Canada’s Toronto United but fell just short, losing 60:65. However, in their second game, the team showed great character and secured an impressive 83:67 victory over one of the tournament favorites – Stella Azzurra Roma.

“After the first game against the Canadian team, we really saw the character of our players,” said coach A. Grigaliūnas. “They understood that this was a very high-level tournament and that 50–70% effort simply wouldn’t be enough. They reacted the right way after that loss and managed to beat one of the favorites, which allowed us to continue competing among the top eight teams.”

In the quarterfinals, Tornado faced Orange1 Basket and delivered a strong performance, winning 89:66 to advance to the semifinals. There, they lost a close battle to the American team Step Higher Academy (65:71), which meant they would compete for third place.

In the bronze medal game, Tornado KM “Xiaomi” left no chances for another U.S. team, Columbus Basketball Club, winning convincingly 102:73 and securing third place in the tournament.

Individually, Tauris Aliukonis stood out and was named the tournament’s Most Versatile Player.

Coach Aivaras Grigaliūnas reflects on the tournament

- How would you evaluate this tournament – what kind of experience did it give your team?

- When playing in Lithuania, you usually know your opponents – their style, strengths, and weaknesses. Here, everything was completely new: unfamiliar teams and players. It was a great opportunity to test ourselves and see where we stand. We had heard beforehand that this was a high-level tournament, and that was absolutely confirmed – both the organization and the level of competition were excellent. Our final result and Tauris Aliukonis being named the most versatile player show that we are moving in the right direction.

- How did the opponents differ from what you are used to in Lithuania?

- The game was much more physical, with more contact and a very high tempo – both in offense and in decision-making. At the same time, we received a lot of praise from other coaches for our teamwork and defensive play, which shows that we also have strong qualities.

- What key lessons do you take away from this tournament?

- Tournaments like this always give you new ideas. You see different styles, different solutions, and try to adapt what works to your own team. It’s a very valuable experience for both players and coaches.

- What surprised you the most during the tournament?

- The level of interest in basketball was incredible. Even the third-place game was watched by around 700–800 spectators, while the finals attracted more than 1,000. We were also very positively surprised by the organization and the hospitality of the host families – the players were warmly welcomed and everything was taken care of, allowing us to fully focus on basketball.

Team captain Kim Ulanovas shares his perspective

- What was the most memorable moment for you personally?

- The atmosphere during the semifinal and the third-place game stood out the most. Playing in a full arena with loud support was an amazing feeling – experiences like that stay with you for a long time.

- How was this tournament different from competitions in Lithuania?

- The biggest difference was the variety of opponents and playing styles. Each team had its own identity, with more individual skill and faster gameplay. It forced us to make quicker decisions and adapt to different situations.

- The team was strengthened by a couple of additional players – how did that affect your game?

- I think they integrated into the team quite quickly and adapted well to our style of play. Even though we only had one practice together, it didn’t really show on the court. Of course, there were a few small misunderstandings, but that’s normal in such situations. Most importantly, they added quality to the team and contributed to the overall result.

- What was it like living with Italian host families?

It was a very warm and welcoming experience. The families made sure we felt at home, and it was interesting to see their daily life, communication, and food culture. It was great to experience not only basketball but also the country itself from the inside.

- What lessons does the team take away from this tournament?

- We realized that at this level you can’t relax even for a moment – you have to be fully focused from the very first seconds of the game. We also clearly saw where we need to improve and what we already do well, which gives us strong motivation to keep working.

This was the second time Tornado KM’s oldest boys’ teams competed in this Italian tournament. Last year, a team coached by Tomas Rakauskas (born in 2007–2006) participated and finished in 5th place.

Tornado KM would like to thank the tournament organizers for an excellent event and the Italian host families for their warm hospitality. Special thanks also go to strength and conditioning coach Paulius Sugintas, who accompanied the team and took care of both the players’ physical preparation and their health throughout the tournament.

The club is proud to be part of such a high-level international competition and hopes to return next year aiming for even higher results.