VILNIUS — The Lithuanian men’s national basketball team put a fairy tale ending on their preparations for the European championships with a 22-point win over reigning world champion Spain.

The win was the perfect tonic for both the team and the sell-out crowd gathered at Siemens Arena to wish the national team well in their EuroBasket 2009 campaign, which begins in Poland next week.

Both teams went into the game short of full strength. The visitors played without two of their NBA starts Pau Gasol and Rudy Fernandez, while Lithuania’s problem at point was declared a disaster zone with both Mantas Kalnietis and Andrius Mažutis not playing.

Kalnietis was absent because of personal problems, rumored to be a serious illness in the family, while Mažulis was being rested with a niggling injury.

The first half proved the dour struggle that was expected, with Spain playing its first friendly away from home in ten years. The Spaniards were playing consistently while Lithuania went forward in spurts, and as the home team started to find its three point range, went into the half-time break six points ahead.

If the first half was predictable, then the second was astonishing. Lithuanian had their intense defense buoyed by the loud crowd support and perhaps some understanding refereeing (which was the reverse of the previous encounter when Lithuania lost to the Spaniards by 26), and had more than doubled the lead by the end of the third quarter.

Tomas Delininkaitis started and finished well, hitting four of six three pointers for a total of 19, while Kleiza added another 19 after providing some intensity in the second half which showed both teams and the ten thousand odd crowd that this was not just an exhibition match.

Marijonas Petravičius proved his solid reliable best with another 14. Lithuania managed to maintain its defensive effort and high scoring percentage — 48 percent from beyond the arc — to increase the final margin to 22, exacting some revenge for the loss in Spain.

In the post-game press conference Raúl López and coach Sergio Scariolo made no excuses for the Spaniards. Both said they came here to win and were disappointed by their own effort and equally impressed by Lithuania’s desire and defensive intensity.

Lithuanian coach Ramūnas Butautas also praised his players for their intensity and desire, as well as the boisterous fans urging as many as possible to come support the team in Poland. On this showing it will be well worth the trip. The crowd was loud and enthusiastic throughout the match.

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