LTU - Maciulis joins Kleiza on sidelines

VILNIUS (EuroBasket 2011) - 2011 has not brought much luck for Lithuania, the hosts of this summer's EuroBasket, with the loss of Linas Kleiza through injury and things got worse with news that Jonas Maciulis would be joining him in watching the tournament from the sidelines.

Maciulis injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the final seconds of Armani Jeans Milano's Seria A game against Vanoli-Braga Cremona.

The 26-year-old left the court on a stretcher and the severity of his injury was confirmed by a series of exams over the weekend.

Maciulis has gone back to Lithuania and will undergo surgery.

The exact duration of his recovery time is not yet known, but it is expected to be long enough to prevent him from playing at the EuroBasket which takes place between 31 August and 18 September.

He joins Kleiza as another key player made unavailable through injury.

Kleiza had knee surgery to address a meniscal tear and chondrarl defect of his right knee in early February and, at that time, was told his receovery time would be between nine and 12 months.

"I hope I will soon have more news about Maciulis, but this is a disappointing news for the team," said Lithuania head coach Kestutis Kemzura.

Maciulis averaged nine points a game last summer in helping Lithuania to a bronze medal at the FIBA World Championship.

Kemzura will need to look for a replacement, something Maciulis' club have already done, bringing in American guard Coby Karl as they open their playoff run on Wednesday.

There was some good news for Lithuania as guard Rimantas Kaukenas - who has not played for the national team since 2008 - is expected to be available for EuroBasket.

The addition of the experienced Montepaschi Siena guard would be a huge boost for the tournament hosts, who will have a tough task in Group A in Panevezys.

Lithuania will open the Preliminary Round by going up against defending champions Spain, FIBA World Championship silver medalists Turkey, Great Britain, Poland and one the second-placed team that advances via the Additional Qualifying Round.

FIBA