Another Masiulis from the Lithuanian team: "I first phoned my parents"

Good news spread over the phone when Dainius Adomaitis informed Masiulis that he was preparing to simulate the last week of November.

For the first time in his career, the 20-year-old striker has been invited to be part of the national team of Lithuania. In Vilnius, he has already started preparations for the fight for the selection of the world championship on Thursday in Brescia with Italy and Sunday in Vilnius with Croatia.

"The coach called and announced that I was waiting for the 12. I was happy because it's a noticeable evaluation," said G. Mutiulis.

And then he was delighted by the family – former basketball players Tomas Masiulis and Ingrid Masiulienė, as well as his sister and grandparents.

Photo by V.Miikaitis / Tom Masiulis and Gytis Masiulis

"First of all, I called my parents – they were happy, but they said I would not stop working," said G.Masiulis quickly.

It is not surprising that he heard such advice from his father, T. Masiulis, representing the Lithuanian national team, and Kaunas Zalgiris, with whom he won the Euroleague, as well as five other LKL gold rings. , and Sopot "Trefl", with whom five became Polish. champion, has always been famous for his diligence.

G.Masiulis does not remember much of the time when his father played 203 cm in the Lithuanian national team. He was two years old when T. Masiulis won the Olympic bronze in 2000 in Sydney.

"I've looked in the past, but I was small, now it's hard to remember something that would be trapped", – said G. Masiulis.

He himself thinks that a decision made in the summer helped open the doors of the team from an early age.

Then G. Masiulis released a blue t-shirt "Klaipėda Neptūnas", when club club "Žalgiris" Kaunas agreed to lend a 207 cm long striker, realizing that it would be difficult for a young basketball player to get the playing time next to Paul Jankuno and Aaron White.

Joshvydas Elinskas / 15min photo / Gytis Masiulis

After leaving the Kaunas club, he rushed to his father's house, who, at the back of the team's coaching office, went to Darius Songaila's house. , at the headquarters of Žalgiris coach, and is today one of Šarūnas Jasikevičius' badistants.

However, G. Masiulis is satisfied with everything. "Yes," he replied, asking if he was right to go from Žalgiris to Neptune. – I just have more play time and I have tried to get the most out of it. With Neptune, the first lap of the LKL was really good, we were at the same time in the first table.

Of course, before this window of FIBA, we lost three consecutive games. It is not very good, but after a break, we will go back to work and rest. "

Second place in the Neptune-based LKL brings G. Masiulis into the LKL competition after 8.6 points and slips after 5.4 balls in 20 minutes. Its colonial goal is 58%. Similar indicators in the Champions League, where the Klaipeda club is ranked sixth among the eight teams D.

Joshvydas Elinskas / 15min photo / Gytis Masiulis

A 207 cm man is ready to perform his job in the Lithuanian national team, where he also plays in the position of a powerful striker.

"To produce as much energy as possible, try using every second of the square," Masiulis said.

The right to play at the World Championship next year in China has already badured the Lithuanian national team in Italy that night, and Žalgiris will play the matches of the Euroleague in Kaunas with Olimpia of Milan .

G. Masiulis is curious to know what will be chosen by most fans, although he himself feels that way.

"I think it's the team," he said. – why Well, I'm looking at my side. The fans, of course, will choose themselves, most will probably turn to both games. "

In the fifth box FIBA ​​Lithuania, a particularly brilliant badtail of newcomers and veterans.

Mantas Kalnietis and Jonas Mačiulis played in the team 11-12 years ago and for Utena's G.Masiulis and Martin Geben, the Juventus match should be baptized in Italy.

However, one thing is united by the Lithuanian players of all generations.

"Lithuania is one of the most powerful teams in Europe and the world," said Gytis. He asked if, in addition to the NBA and Euroleague players, the Lithuanian team could feel favorite during the match against Italy. – We will try to win. "