Lithuania Smashes Rebounding Record in Opener Over Gritty GB

Lithuania didn’t just win—they dominated. The EuroBasket 2025 opener saw Lithuania flexing muscle, technique, and history—crushing Great Britain 94–70 and grabbing a legacy-defining 57 rebounds, smashing the previous EuroBasket record. Your EuroBasket preview just turned into a statement game.


The Game That Told the Story

Those opening minutes were a tease: GB sprinted into a 5–0 lead, flashing urgency and energy. But Lithuania hit back—with a 12–0 run that triggered a double-digit lead before the first quarter even ended. It never got easy for GB after that.


Stat Block Stars

PlayerGB (Great Britain)LTU (Lithuania)
Jonas Valančiūnas18 pts, 9 reb (7-for-13 shooting)
Rokas Jokubaitis12 pts, 6 ast, 5 reb
Ažuolas Tubelis17 pts on 8-for-10 shooting
Akwasi Yeboah17 pts (team-high)
  • Lithuania dominated the paint and boards—racking up 13 offensive rebounds and converting six second-chance points in just the first half. GB never found answers to that power game.

Why It Matters

  • Lithuania came in with expectation—and delivered. They controlled the tempo, body, and scoreboard.
  • Great Britain did what was expected: they fought hard, showing real improvement since 2022, but the physical disparity—especially inside—was too much to overcome.

Clutch Crunch Take

This wasn’t a warm-up—it was a spotlight on power basketball. Lithuania roared on Day 1, setting pace and claiming authority with ferocious rebounding and sharp execution. GB? They showed grit, they pushed early, but EuroBasket reality hit hard. Still, that fight spells progress—and few underdogs enter this tournament without lessons and growth.

Lithuania didn’t just open the door—they burst through it.

Leave a Comment