[QF, Day 1] Game 82/A: FYR of Macedonia - Lithuania

[rikhardur2]

Date: 14.09.2011
Time: 21:00 local (GMT+3)
Venue: Kaunas Arena

 

[Supply&Demand2]

Macedonia wins by 4

 

[kecal2]

Run, run, baby run! Lithuania really has to make use of short Macedonian bench...

On the other hand, McCaleb might have a field day against our guards...

It should be a fine game to watch, with Lithuania winning by 5-10 points.

 

[Navarro #72]

My prediction is the most obvious. It would be a miracle a victory for Macedonia. Of course, basketball sometimes brings surprises to us but...

I'm sure Lithuanian fans celebrated the last basket of Russia with passion, didn't they?

 

[kecal2]

My prediction is the most obvious. It would be a miracle a victory for Macedonia. Of course, basketball sometimes brings surprises to us but...

I'm sure Lithuanian fans celebrated the last basket of Russia with passion, didn't they?

I had mixed feeling, really. I wanted Macedonia to win, but I also like them a bit more than Russians to face at the QF. At the end, I was more with the Macedonians - sort of "WTF just happened here?"

 

[Straight forward2]

I expect amazing support in Žalgiris arena and nothing, but victories in the last stage no matter which team we are playing against. Thank you

 

[thegreekmeister2]

My prediction is the most obvious. It would be a miracle a victory for Macedonia.

Same here. It would be a sisaster for Lithuania. I hope they won't underestimate the opponent. Otherwise that miracle might happen. But I don't see Fyrom continuing their winning streak. We all witnessed many surprises at th regular stages, but when it counts the most - those surprises stops. So this fantastic performance by Macedonia should stop here.

 

[Terrorizer2]

I can't do much better that to cite my post in the other topic

Yes, I see Lithuania as a favourite of this QF game (their chances are slightly higher, let's say 60 to 40) but this is just a conclusion from the following facts: 1) crowd support will be enormous factor in Kaunas, 2) 'home' refereeing, 3) Lithuania has deeper bench than Macedonia, 4) (implicated from 3)) Macedonian leaders (McCalebb, Antic, Ilievski) are tired from playing around 35 mpg almost all tournament, 5) because of Gecevski's injury Macedonia is especially thin in the 5 position which can be crucial regarding Valanciunas' excellent shape. But if we consider the quality and level of play in this tournament then I say that Macedonia would be an even match for Lithuania. No more, no less.

Also one of the factors can be the fact that Macedonian players wouldn't believe in the possibility of another upset by them 'cause it literally be too much for them. Also knock-out games experience will play a major role here and it seems that Lithuanians with some of their players being veterans of Europealue/top european leagues (Spain, Italy, Russia) playoffs and even playoff finals are also better in this component.
So my favourite in this one is Lietuva but their win is very far from being obvious.

 

[Terrorizer2]

I had mixed feeling, really. I wanted Macedonia to win, but I also like them a bit more than Russians to face at the QF.

You put it so mildly Sad to see that the same old anti-Russian bias are still very much present in Lithuania and even among bball fans.

 

[Kalashnikov]

You put it so mildly Sad to see that the same old anti-Russian bias are still very much present in Lithuania and even among bball fans.

you have never heard that everybody loves an underdog?

 

[thegreekmeister2]

You put it so mildly Sad to see that the same old anti-Russian bias are still very much present in Lithuania and even among bball fans.

I don't see any bias there. I am sure more non lithuanian, non russian, non macedonian fans were cheering for Fyrom. Simply because people like to see underdogs win.

 

[Terrorizer2]

Thegreekmeister and Kalashnikov, of course, rooting for the underdog is a very common thing, but I don't think that it's the case here. 'Cause cheering for Macedonians is a very sensible thing for every unbiased fan (just because of the reason you have put into consideration), but for Lithuanian to say that he likes Macedonia a bit more than Russia as a Lithuania's rival in quarterfinals - in 99% it's very clearly indicates some degree of Russophobia. Because, guys, not only our team is better than Macedonia 'by the names', but also Russia is very uncomfortable for Lithuania as a rival, the fact which was underlined not only in 2007 but also twice in this year's preparatory games. So what this Lithuanian fella wants to say: I think that both Russia and Macedonia are shitty (or so-so) teams, clearly inferior to Lithuania NT, but since Russia NT is slightly better than the Macedonian one I prefer the last one to be our oponent in QF a bit more. Sounds kinda absurd and disparaging (towards Russian NT), doesn't it?

 

[Kalashnikov]

after all the "IBN hates Turks/Turkish NT/Turkey" that was going around for the past few weeks...I've had just about enough with prejudice theories...

 

[thegreekmeister2]

for Lithuanian to say that he likes Macedonia a bit more than Russia as a Lithuania's rival in quarterfinals - in 99% it's very clearly indicates some degree of Russophobia. Because, guys, not only our team is better than Macedonia 'by the names', but also Russia is very uncomfortable for Lithuania as a rival

Hah. You misunderstood. When he says he likes Macedonia as opponents he means that he likes them because they are weaker than Russia.

 

[buzz2]

FYROM got fired already...no chances for the skopians

 

[Civilis2]

I believe that Lithuania will be capable of imposing the rhythm of the game on Macedonian team, which, despite its strong fighting spirit and upbeat mood, has a short bench.

That's why I was cheering for Russia to win because it would be harder to impose a favourable style of play on Russia (we do miss Kleiza and Maciulis against tall and physical opponents).

The only X factor for the forthcoming game to me is Bo McCallebb. Otherwise, should be a not too dramatic victory for Lithuania (with all due respect to what Macedonia achieved so far).

 

[Dule_Vujosevic2]

I voted for Macedonia.
I see this game as very tight and unpredictable till end, 7-8 points max.

 

[TomUSLty2]

Macedonia only lost the 2 games they played without their starting center, Gecevski, both very close, one in overtime.

If he comes back they might pull of an upset. They are just too short on the bench as it is, let alone to be missing one of their starting five.

 

[Hepcat2]

Because, guys, not only our team is better than Macedonia 'by the names', but also Russia is very uncomfortable for Lithuania as a rival, the fact which was underlined not only in 2007 but also twice in this year's preparatory games.

By the same token though I think both the players on the Lithuanian team and their rabid fans want a chance to make it right in a game against Russia!

 

[Србски Син2]

I voted for southern neighbors. I think they can make a surprise.