I've written five blogs over the past 13-14 months, and two of them are about Lithuania. You might think I'm a thing for this country—and you'd be right! My recent trip to Lithuania for the FIBA U20 EuroBasket Women in July was another basketball-centric adventure. And it turned out to be one of my favorite basketball trips ever.
Over the past decade, living outside Türkiye, basketball has taken me to many places—from China to the USA. Yet, this tournament stood out. Why? How? Let's dive into it:
Beautiful Lithuania
When you travel to a country for a basketball event, it's not just about what's happening in the arena. The impressions you gather outside complete the experience. The land of basketball, Lithuania, is as beautiful as the atmosphere at their basketball games.
The dedication of Lithuanian people to their country has always impressed me. The cities are clean, neat, and organized, reflecting the people's love for their homeland. If you love your country, you keep it beautiful. Lithuanians certainly do, and it’s always a pleasure to spend time in their country, soaking in the culture and meeting the people.
Thanks to the tournament being held in two cities, I finally got to visit a Lithuanian city other than Kaunas and Vilnius. And I loved it! Klaipėda is a beautiful, charming city with a rich history.
Staying in the Old Town area of Klaipėda allowed me to explore the city easily. I spent early mornings strolling around the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, farmers’ market, and the port area, capturing the city's charm as the sun peeked through the clouds. It was an idyllic way to start the long day that will be spent among bouncing balls under LED lights.
Apart from these morning walks, I didn't have much time to explore Klaipėda and its surroundings. However, I made the most of my off day by hopping on the ferry—a favorite pastime of mine in Istanbul. In a different part of the world, it was delightful to experience something familiar. Without a specific plan, I ended up in Juodkrantė, a charming little town. From there, I took a 20-minute walk through the preserved pine forest to reach the endless sandy beaches of the Curonian Spit. I enjoyed an iced latte, soaked up the warm weather, dipped in the water shortly, and watched the world go by.
Before taking the bus back to Smiltynė for ferry, I spent some time photographing the traditional wooden houses of Juodkrantė. For those who want to enjoy summer by the seaside without too much sun exposure, and who prefer a peaceful, quiet place, this little town is perfect. It was the ideal place for me to spend my day off. I would love to return to this area to see more places like Nida, which I hear is a must-see town.
After a week in Klaipėda, the tournament continued in the capital, Vilnius. Vilnius is Vilnius. The city center is much larger compared to other cities in the country. Every time, it feels almost too big for me. I like it, but it's not my favorite city in Lithuania. Nonetheless, it's always nice to walk down Gediminas Avenue until you reach the Bell Tower of Vilnius Cathedral. Then, head towards Pilies Street to enjoy some drinks. This is what I like to do there, and I did it again.
The Organization
Kudos to the Lithuanian Basketball Federation for the great organization! They set the high standard for youth events, seriously. It's not about one thing or another. The team knew what they were doing and why they were doing it, and they knew how to do it well. Everything was well-thought-out, and if we had an extra request, it was done as soon as possible. Simply impressive.
The Volunteers
Sports events aren't just about the athletes; they're about the people who make them happen. There's a huge group of hardworking individuals who are the backbone of these events. Then there are the volunteers who work long hours for days, often receiving just a few souvenirs in return.
In Lithuania, we had an amazing group of dedicated, enthusiastic, and talented volunteers. It's not common for a 13-year-old boy to sit courtside for four games a day for a week in midsummer. Or for 18-19-year-old girls to spend their summer break in arenas instead of enjoying the beautiful Baltic Sea beaches. These volunteers completed the event and did an excellent job.
A Shout Out to the FIBA Crew!
It wasn't just the locals who made this tournament special. Spending 10+ days with the same group of people, from breakfast to late-night dinners, it's crucial (to me) to have a good connection. We had an amazing group, and it was great to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones. I look forward to seeing them during the season and next summer!
The Games
While I may not be the greatest expert on women's basketball, the talent gap between teams was noticeable. Still, the spirit of a youth tournament was there. France nearly lost to Türkiye but played a fantastic final to surprise many by beating Spain.
Despite not winning the final, Spain was the most impressive team. It was a joy to watch them play cohesively and enjoy the game. I only wish we could have seen Justė Jocytė play at home. Nonetheless, it was nice to see her supporting her teammates from the bench.
We had all kinds of games, from very thrilling to less thrilling, but overall, I never got bored during the tournament.
I had great time there and I’m eagerly awaiting my return to this beloved land of basketball. Until then, I'll cherish the beautiful memories and pictures from the trip.
Now, back to being #OlympicsCouchPotato
Cheers,
B.
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