Velicka triple-doubling his way to medals in Bratislava

BRATISLAVA (FIBA U18 European Championship) - There are few players at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2017 with the confidence of Lithuania point guard Arnas Velicka.

One can read it in his focused and seemingly never-changing demeanor, but it is also usually evident in the boxscore. That was also the case against Italy in the Quarter-Finals, with the 17-year-old playmaker leading his side to a 73-67 victory with a 14-point, 13-rebound and 11-assist triple-double.

The been there, done that appearance could be mistaken for indifference, but that is exactly one thing that it is not. After medals and All-Star Five honors at the FIBA U16 European Championship and FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, Velicka is simply fixed on adding another medal to his collection.

Having also been a key piece on the U18 European Championship silver medal-winning team last year in Samsun with the 1998-born core of the team, this is not new territory for the guard, one of the four returning players on the team, alongside Ignas Sargiunas, Lukas Uleckas and Grantas Vasiliauskas.

Last year's Quarter-Finals tie against Russia put the player's leadership skills on display, with Velicka punching through Lithuania's ticket to the Semi-Finals with a memorable half-court heave.

This time, there was a lot less drama.

"It wasn't an easy Quarter-Final. Italy turned up their defense and did well offensively in the closing moments of the contest, but we stuck together as a team and played for each other," said Velicka who recorded the first triple-double of the tournament and also the first one for him in international play.

Having started the tournament with a loss to Finland and trailing Slovenia midway through their second game in Group C, Lithuania looked a changed side and anything but capable of repeating their success. That impression turned out not to be true.

"The most important thing will be to carry on the same way we have played the last couple of games now – playing as a team, fighting for each other and making sure we execute the coach’s plan on the court. If we do that, everything should be alright."Arnas VelickaArnas Velicka

"I think the turning point in the championship for us was we were down by eight points against Slovenia at the halftime," Velicka looked back at the beginning of the Group Phase. "We all had a serious chat in the locker room that it would be high time to start playing our game, take responsibility and start working as a unit. That united us and we started to play more as a team from thereon, which is the main reason that helped us turn things around."

Now, there is only one win separating Lithuania form another medal, as they take on a strong Serbia team, who have filled the power vacuum that opened up due to big-name absences, for Bosnia and Herzegovina and France in particular. Needless to say, the Velicka-led Lithuanians also see this as an opportunity to take that extra step on the podium.

Needless to say, the Velicka-led Lithuanians also see this as an opportunity to take an extra step on the podium, with silver and bronze missions already completed. 

"There is always that chance, but the four teams that made it to the Semi-Finals are all very good and we’ll have to give our all to get that done," the player spoke about the situation.

"The most important thing will be to carry on the same way we have played the last couple of games now – playing as a team, fighting for each other and making sure we execute the coach's plan on the court. If we do that, everything should be alright."

After enjoying success with the 1998-born generation last year, many were surprised not to see Velicka's name on Lithuania's team for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 in Egypt, but the player had other things on his mind.

"I just wanted to get some rest during the summer as well. I would not have had any break in between tournaments and after this one ends I'm headed back to Barcelona in just four days, so the load would just have been a little too big," he explained.

"I made a decision to play at the U18 European Championship. Leaving these guys to play with the U19 squad was never an option, as this is my generation and my team. We’ve been together for so long and there was no way I was not playing. I want to win with this team."

And as for his nonchalant demeanor on the court? 

"I just try to be myself and show what I am capable of. I try to play for the team and win. That's the only things I want," he cracked out a smile.

FIBA