The head coach of Lithuanian National Team Antanas Sireika has claimed, that the list of the players, who are invited to the preparation camps is not final and now he is waiting for the answers from the players. The coach has agreed to answer to the "Sportas" weekly.
- Did you have enough rest already?
- Off course. I didn't do much. Now the preparation of the NT candidates' list has started, the analysis and evaluation. Moreover, as it should be, I am a father to my children, I spend more time with my family, with the kids.
I watch basketball on television without any tension. When I was coaching Žalgiris, I was to Šiauliai quite rarely, and now I am used the opportunity to watch the game live.
- What were the criterias to include players in the list?
- There are no established methodics, we just want to gather the best lithuanian players together. Moreover, during all the time I am in charge of national team, we are paying the attention to the young players, so we will create the second team, which will be based on young players. Because of that we sent the invitations to all young, unseen and not-so-well-known players, whom we have only heard or read about. Most fans most probably won't know the players from US colleges, but we want to see them.
- How many players from the first stage will get to the main training camp?
- I think, that no more than two or three.
- You have mentioned, that You are inviting a lot of young players. Propably you just want to see them, but not to invite to the team. Isn't it?
- It's a transitive period in the team now. And it will remain always. The old-timers of the team are finishing their careers, and the new young players arise. We are not selecting the players just for the world championships, we are looking to the future.
We learned the statistical data of the players, we have heard the oppinions of the people, who know them. We would like to see and meet them ourselves, by our own eyes. Maybe they won't fit to the national team, but next year maybe we will need their help. You have to enter the team slowly. Off course, there might be some stars among the young players, who will shine in the first camp, but this happens very rarely.
- Let's talk about some players. Are you inviting Paulius Jankūnas to the main camp, because you want to give him some rest?
- We think, that this player should be judged as one of the main players of the team. I agree, that we should think about resting him. Basketball players can't play for whole year, moreover, his last vacation was years ago.
- Rimantas Kaukėnas' name has appeared among the candidates...
- Last year he also was invited, but has declined basing on his planned wedding. Are we hoping him to play? We want to see all the invited players in the training camp.
- But Dainius Šalenga and Donatas Slanina are not invited..
- The list is not final, we yet might invite any player. We have sent the invitations, where the precise date is described, till when they should report about their summer plans. When we get the answers, we will know, which players will be able to play, and who won't. Only then we will know, which positions are strong, and what should be improved. Then we'll decide, should we invite someone else.
We have restrained on Dainius' for now. Donatas Slanina was invited and did not show up last year. He did not give any answer neither to me nor other staff of the national team, so we think, that he doesn't want join the team anymore. This is the reason, why we didn't invite him.
- There are rumours, that Šarūnas Jasikevičius won't play for Lithuania, but you still sent the invitation
- Tell me, what are the reasons, why he won't come? Two months ago I met him in USA and Šarūnas told me, that he doesn't want to tell anything. According to him, he will give the answer after the season is over, when he could judge his health, physical condition and so on. He did not tell, that he won't play for the national team, so he got the invitation.
- Arvydas Macijauskas and Mindaugas Žukauskas have spent little time on court this season. They will probably have a lot of sportsman's irritation. Won't they?
- I agree with that completely. I think that they will have enough irritation, ventureness, cold head, healthy joints and so on. We know, that they are not youngsters, but experienced players, so the remaining time should enough for them to prepare.
- Did anybody say, that he won't participate?
- Nobody told that. We have spoken with most of the players about the comming to the camp. I don't see any reasons, why they shouldn't come. Unless some problems with health, or some contract restrictions by the club. Moreover, nobody told, that doesn't want or can't play for Lithuania. I don't have any sure answers yet, we have had only preliminary talks with players. The players didn't know, whether they are called up, or not.
