Host Lithuania dominate FIBA 3x3 Nations League 2022 Europe East conference

KAUNAS (Lithuania) - Host Lithuania men's and women's teams were near perfect at the FIBA 3x3 Nations League 2022 Europe East conference during three stops on June 17-19.

The three-day event provided plenty of cheer for the home fans in Kaunas with Lithuania women's winning all three stops to complete an unbeaten 8 of 8 record. 

16-year-old basketball prodigy Juste Jocyte made a sensational 3x3 debut, leading all scorers during the tournament with 57 points in just 8 games.

They started with a bang in stop 1 although did receive a fright against Latvia 21-18, which proved the closest Lithuania were to a loss. They blitzed the next two stops, including a 21-5 rout of Estonia on the final day to prove Lithuania were the host with the most. 

The lethal Lithuanians averaged 21ppg through their eight-game win streak to finish a staggering 70 points clear of second placed Latvia on the overall standings so far. 

In the men's, Lithuania were almost as dominant before their perfect record was broken in stop 3 by Latvia, who had an upset 20-14 victory in an act of revenge after being thrashed 21-6 by the hosts in stop 1. 

Lithuania, though, should be well pleased having dominated the opening two stops, including another victory over Latvia in stop 2 where they won 18-14. 

Their top scorer was Justinas Ramanauskas, who scored 65 points in just 8 games

After three stops, Lithuania sit pretty on top and lead by 40 points over Ukraine, who claimed stop 3 with a thrilling 21-20 win over Latvia. 

That defeat proved costly for Latvia, who now sit 10 points behind Ukraine but they leave with momentum having steadily improved over the three days of competition. 

Standings

Men

1. Lithuania 270 points
2. Ukraine 230
3. Latvia 220
4. Poland 210
5. Estonia 150

Women

1. Lithuania 300 points
2. Latvia 230
3. Poland 200
4. Ukraine 190
5. Estonia 160

The next three stops will be held in Kaunas on July 26-28. 

FIBA