Rimas Kurtinaitis has decided to step down as head coach of the Lithuanian national team. The entire coaching staff will resign alongside him.
The new head coach will be appointed after the election of the new president of Lietuvos krepšinis, and no later than the start of preparations for the next FIBA World Cup qualifying window.
Kurtinaitis took over the national team in October 2024, remaining in charge for nearly two years. Under his leadership, Lithuania finished fifth at last year’s EuroBasket.
Kurtinaitis: “Now is the right time to say goodbye”
Kurtinaitis explained his decision:
“I have decided to say goodbye to the national team. I believe that now is the right time, because the new coaching staff will have enough time to prepare for the upcoming qualifying window.”
The coach revealed that he had already made his decision after the first qualifying stage but was asked to remain in charge for the following window.
“I had made my decision after the first qualifying stage, but I was asked to help the national team and continue working in the next window. I’m happy that we managed to say goodbye with a victory over a strong Bosnia and Herzegovina team.”
Lithuania remain in contention for the World Cup
Kurtinaitis believes Lithuania remains in a competitive position in the World Cup qualifiers.
“That kept us in a competitive position in the World Cup qualifiers. The situation in our group is still manageable, just as it is in many other groups.”
According to Kurtinaitis, Lithuania could potentially need just one win from their two remaining games against Serbia.
“I think that if we beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, who practically no longer have a chance to qualify and will probably also play without their NBA players, and Turkey, who have already qualified for the World Cup, one victory against Serbia in our two remaining games could be enough.”
“That is a completely realistic scenario, similar to the one we had when I took over the national team in 2024 during the EuroBasket qualifiers.”
“I wish the new coaching staff good luck”
Kurtinaitis concluded by thanking his players, staff and supporters.
“I want to wish good luck to the coaching staff that will replace me and to the entire Lithuanian national team.”
“I also sincerely want to thank my players, who came to help at such an important moment for Lithuanian basketball. Thank you to the entire national team staff, the assistants and all the fans who supported the team during this difficult period.”
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