Rimas Kurtinaitis appointed head coach of Lithuanian nationwide staff
Rimas Kurtinaitis has been appointed the brand new head coach of the Lithuanian nationwide basketball staff. He’ll substitute Kazys Maksvytis, who held the place from 2021 to 2024. Kurtinaitis, who’s at the moment teaching Azerbaijani membership Sabah BC, will now tackle the accountability of reviving Lithuania’s nationwide staff because it seems to be to return to its former glory.
Lithuania, as soon as a dominant drive in worldwide basketball, has struggled lately. The nationwide staff has missed the final two Olympic Video games, a big setback following 5 consecutive appearances. Moreover, Lithuania has not secured a medal for the reason that 2015 EuroBasket event. The Baltic nation, ranked tenth within the present FIBA rankings, hopes that Kurtinaitis’ management will spark a resurgence.
Kurtinaitis isn’t any stranger to the Lithuanian nationwide staff, having served as an assistant coach from 2007 to 2009 below head coach Ramunas Butautas. His return as head coach brings a renewed sense of optimism as he prepares to guide the staff in EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, the place Lithuania will face North Macedonia on November 21 and 24.
In an announcement following his appointment, Kurtinaitis expressed gratitude to the Lithuanian Basketball Federation for the belief positioned in him. “Initially, I wish to thank the Lithuanian Basketball Federation and the Lithuanian Basketball Coaches Affiliation for his or her confidence,” he mentioned. “There are large duties forward, and I maintain myself to excessive requirements.”
Kurtinaitis emphasised the significance of unity inside the staff and the necessity for a collective strategy. “It’s troublesome to foretell something at this level as a result of we don’t know what staff we’ll have. However I consider everybody understands our targets and the challenges we face. I’m assured that, collectively—coaches and gamers—we’ll clear up them,” he added.
Kurtinaitis takes over at a crucial time for Lithuanian basketball. His major process might be to safe a spot within the upcoming EuroBasket and, in the end, restore Lithuania’s standing as a top-tier basketball nation. The nationwide staff’s latest performances have fallen in need of expectations, and there’s a rising need to return to the Olympic stage and win medals in worldwide competitions.
Kurtinaitis loved a adorned taking part in profession earlier than transitioning into teaching. He was one of many key members of the Soviet Union staff that received gold on the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He additionally represented Lithuania on the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, serving to the staff safe a bronze medal. Identified for his taking pictures prowess, Kurtinaitis was one of the outstanding European gamers of his period.
Along with his worldwide success, Kurtinaitis performed professionally for a number of European golf equipment, together with Zalgiris Kaunas and Actual Madrid. His teaching profession has been equally spectacular, having led groups in Lithuania, Russia, and Azerbaijan. He has additionally received a number of championships as a coach, together with three EuroCup titles with Lietuvos Rytas and Khimki Moscow.
As Lithuania prepares for the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, all eyes might be on Kurtinaitis and his potential to information the staff again to prominence.
