Matas Makauskas and Laurynas Virbalas represented Lithuania in the international basketball tournament in Turkey

2018 birželis 13 d., trečiadienis

At the end of January, 2018 Laurynas Virbalas and Matas Makauskas were invited to join Lithuanian national basketball team U16. Both boys together with the best players of Lithuania started to prepare for annual international youth basketball tournament in Turkey. Matas and Laurynas played in all games and helped team to win silver medals.

M. Makauskas has already been invited to the National basketball team U16 of Lithuania, so had an opportunity to try himself in Minsk, Belarus. Unfortunately, during the first game, M. Makauskas suffered injury to his leg and tournament was over. After rehab Matas was invited to join  national team again. “This time was second time for me, when I was invited to the national team of Lithuania, - told us player of Tornado KM – “Fudo” Matas Makauskas. – This time was really easier psychologically. From the last trip to Belarus, I already knew that all people are friendly and happy, so it’s not hard to adapt. Even more fun was that my teammate Laurynas was joining national team with me”.

Starting at Lithuanian championship U13, Laurynas Virbalas are between TOP10 players by his efficiency in Lithuania every year. However, he had to wait for invitation to the national team of Lithuania for quite long time.  “That feeling was amazing! Finally that day came! – said Laurynas Virbalas. – The first goal was to work as hard as possible in Anykščiai to get to final roster of team and go to Turkey. My hard work paid off and soon I was flying to Turkey with  National team. Everything in the team looked exactly the way I imagined - excellent conditions, high – level coaches, big competition between players. I was really happy to get to final roster of team and had an opportunity to take part in the tournament in Turkey”.  

Both boys were happy that went to Turkey together: “I felt better this time, - said M. Makauskas. - Maybe because it was second time for me, maybe beccause Laurynas went together and I knew that my friend all the time will be together with me. L. Virbalas was happy that first time in the National team also went well: “It was not easy to get involved in the basketball practices, throughout the process, to understand systems of coaches, but Matas gave me some useful tips that really helped me”.

Coach of both boys Aivaras Grigaliūnas was also very happy, that both of his players were invited to join National team: “It's an invaluable experience and a great memory for all life! I would like to thank for “Tornado” basketball school, all colleagues coaches, teammates of Matas and Laurynas, parents, who helped boys to get to National team. The greatest wish of me as a coach, that Matas and Laurynas share this experience with his teammates and both boys would be an example for younger players of “Tornado” KM! It’s very important not to think that everything has been achieved and never stop to improve every day”.

Average stats of tournament:

After coming back from Turkey both boys joined Tornado KM – “Fudo” team and continued their participation in the Lithuanian U16 championship.

“The most important thing – to work hard and try tio achieve your goals, - at the end of conversation said to the youngest basketball players wished Laurynas Virbalas.