In a remarkable display, Lithuania cruised to a convincing 93:67 victory over Egypt in their opening match of the FIBA World Cup, establishing themselves as leaders in Group D.
Jonas Valanciunas kicked off the game with a sensational performance, tallying 11 points and six rebounds, and emerged as the driving force behind Lithuania’s commanding 26-12 lead after the initial 10 minutes of play.
Under the guidance of coach Kazys Maksvytis, the Lithuanian squad extended their advantage to a 20-point lead, only to see Egypt respond with an 11:1 run, narrowing the gap to 46:34.
๐ฑ๐น Lithuania started off on the right foot โ #FIBAWC x #WinForLithuania
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ๐ (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
In the third quarter, the impressive Assem Marei led Egypt’s charge, reducing the deficit to single digits. However, the Lithuanian team swiftly reestablished a substantial lead. Maksvytis’ team wasted little time in securing a 20-point advantage in the fourth quarter, leading to a predictable ending with a final score of 93:67.
Margiris Normantas stood out as Lithuania’s top scorer with 18 points, while Egypt’s Marei showcased his skills with 14 points and nine rebounds. It’s worth noting that Valanciunas recorded an impressive double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in just 17 minutes on the court.
Lithuania have next challenge against Mexico, while Egypt is set to face Montenegro on August 27. As the FIBA World Cup unfolds, fans can anticipate more thrilling matches and captivating basketball performances.