How Basketball Impacted Lithuania’s Fight For Independence | FULL EPISODE

In the fourth instalment of Hoop Cities, we learn the important role that basketball played in Lithuanias fight for independence. Sarunas Marciulionis and others recall the special moments at the Barcelona 92 Olympics when the team managed to win the bronze medal, while Sarunas Jasikevicius and Rokas Jokubaitis take us to the future of basketball in Lithuania, where this sport is considered a religion.
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[@milanfilipovic5831]

It is fascinating how much talent Lithuanians have for basketball and how smart they are. To us Serbs, they are the biggest rivals in Europe, not that we like them, but we respect them very much as rivals.

[@eckall677]

same here, not like we hate serbians, we just dont realy like them. but they have huge respect from us

[@milikas]

Same, respect to serbians, you guys are showing that you don’t need to buy americans to achieve something!!

[@Rblock777]

@@eckall677 Baltics & Balkans the kings of European basketball Ok Slovenia sometimes pay Americans to play for them

[@NAjKONn]

@@Rblock777 Only Lithuania is not equal to ''baltics''. Latvians are just getting started

[@Rblock777]

@@NAjKONn What are you talking about? Latvia won the European Championship in 1935. how are they just starting?

[@gaminglord2499]

As a former Basketball playing Lithuanian, I really appreciate how much effort NBA put in this video, I learnt so much about Lithuania's basketball history. Thank you NBA!

[@TheSpawneris]

As a Lithuanian and the guy who born in Kaunas. I'm so proud of this effort, which you put in this video. It brought tears :) Thank you for this story and reminder who we are

[@ubas7983]

Šilainiai! 💪

[@Uzauges]

crying as well

[@Davidude-]

pirmas kadras kuri cia gatve? paneriu ar cia silainiuose kazkur, gal baltijos g?

[@bobschweichesterengen]

as ir kaune gimiau lol

[@Kristukas1337]

Rytas>>

[@sender5804]

love Lietuva from Latvija

[@vilte7490]

And we love ya Latvians Braliukai!❤️♾️

[@tomasgabrilevicius2719]

As lithuanian, i just can say, thanks for this video.

[@Domantas-iq2go]

REALL

[@BluescreenBandit]

I'm proud of my Lithuanian bros. 🇱🇻🫶🇱🇹

[@Integralas27]

Paldies, braliukas

[@izzyproductions6848]

The Nba is coming up with some GREAT documentaries 🐐🐐🐐

[@LokNex915]

Glad the nba is dropping a lot of Euro Ball docs I’ve always been curious about the history of Basketball in countries outside of the Americas

[@daddyshark404]

I'm a grownass man, and burst to tears waching this doc, the feeling of pride is unmeasurable ❤🇱🇹💚

[@kiinmaskovich4108]

Wow, just wow. The passion of Lithuanian people for the game is rarely, if ever, seen. Amazing and insightful documentary, great work!!

[@RFTnow]

Honestly this made realise how much i miss home and how proud i am being Lithuanian❤️🇱🇹

[@klevas17]

Mes tavęs čia visada lauksim :)

[@resinfingers3896]

Wish I could meet my family there. We've been separated too long.

[@KJcrazy6]

Me too

[@Hallucinoman1]

I will never forget the summer of 1995 when I was at the OAKA Arena in Athens watching the European Championship Finals between my country, Yugoslavia, and Lithuania. As Yugoslavia has previously beat Greece twice, eliminating the home-team in the semi-finals, the entire Arena of 20.000 Greeks (except for appx. 1.000 Serbs) were cheering for Lithuania in the Finals. I will always remember that chant LIE-TU-VA by the Greek home crowd. Yugoslavia/Serbia finally won that game (some feel with a little help from referees) 96-90, which brought a bit of happiness to our nation, at that time torn by the civil war, NATO bombs and the economic embargo. But the basketball rivalry of Serbia and Lithuania continues through the ages. From the USSR-Yugoslavia epic rivalry of the 80's (Petrović vs Sabonis) to the present day Euroleague matches between Partizan and Žalgiris, two clubs with the best basketball fans in the world (the Americans who have no clue what we're talking about can check some KZbin videos). We may have our differences politically, as Serbs are the most Russophilic nation in the world, while Lithuania is one of the most Russophobic countries... but as far as basketball is concerned, we cherish the deepest respect and sympathies for Lithuania and its people's love of the game.

[@Gyvenotjas]

Cheers, we have more in common than differences

[@MinduZe]

Thank you for sharing, very interesting.

[@gmh1982]

Sabonis reflects it in his movie, named "Sabas"

[@Kislotikas]

i said similar things without reading your comment. great nations strong basketball schools and one of the best deference in basketball

[@sintetinis]

Oh, hey vatnik, how is it going? We're not rusophobic, we're intelligent enough to understand that both - russia and serbia are shit countries. And you know what's connecting these two? Genocides. So yeah, f*ck you scum, fu*k russia and f*ck serbia. We will never have respect for killers with the brain of a chimpanzee.

[@resinfingers3896]

Thank you Bob Weir, Garcia and Hart of Grateful Dead. You truly blessed the country of Lithuania with your generosity.

[@hermanpoos]

Greet to see. All reasons to be proud of this generations basketball players. Proud that i ve interviewed Sabonis for Algemeen Dagblad in the Netherlands

[@DKDove]

24:15 Motiejūnas was very shy to tell whole truth. Russian oligarch almost destroyed Žalgiris, the most honorary sports club in Lithuania. Almost went bankrupted, because of idiot ruzzian. But Motiejūnas, this guy, saved Žalgiris from that ruzzian oligarch who wanted to destroy Žalgiris and now Žalgiris is one of the best teams in Europe. And Also Motiejūnas is now Euroleague president. We Lithuanians are so proud of him

[@brandonblanco8379]

You’re referring to Romanov, the same guy who owned a football club in Scotland?

[@DKDove]

Yes@@brandonblanco8379

[@farguc]

@@brandonblanco8379 very same

[@MarchuxProductions]

Proud of all of you, braliukas!

[@Mr.Cerera69]

Thank you! We are proud of you guys aswell at this WC!

[@AndrejusPetrovas]

bro rasosi ne bra

[@anlerden4851]

I love Lithuanias so much.🥰😍🤗

[@Domantas-iq2go]

W

[@lazarnikolic9638]

as a Serbian I have always considered that Lithuania and Serbia are the only true basketball country with a lot of talents. ❤💚

[@johncane2304]

Greece and turkey also..but France produce some talents in NBA especially wembenyama

[@jasonlp4869]

The NBA coming with some dope documentaries lately 🤙

[@mat_j]

lol what? It's political bs brainwashing

[@mariosellas]

That ass whooping in the World Cup made them realize that there are other countries in this world

[@tachyon108]

thank you to the NBA people who made this, much appreciated - another proud Lithuanian

[@McVytas]

My love for Kaunas and Basketball - endless

[@evaldasibm]

Great basketball country. Kind and awesome people, true fighters! 💪🏻❤❤

[@libarhit]

Lithuanians - great and fantastic !!! From Latvia !!!

[@rurintojas]

Oh damn this one hits hard. Basketball was(still is) everything to us. My dad used to wake me up to watch Bulls vs Jazz, I was only 6-8 years old, when I got little bit older I remember rushing from school to watch Dragon Ball Z and back outside to play basketball. Every weekend is in a local basketball court, from 10am to 10-11pm. Every summer day it was like that too. Every time you throw fadeaway you shout KOBE(RIP legend). We lived and breath basketball. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. 1999 - I remember that Zalgiris game vs Kinder, was absolutely mental. Then Sydney Olympics - bronze, and 2003 we are Europe champions. How many of Lithuanians remember this - watch?v=pIUcX4hz91Y This video brought so many good memories and tears. Thank you so much!

[@ВасяИванов-э2ы]

🏀🇱🇹❤️ Labai ačiū uz sita video❗ Я не литовец, но родился в Каунасе и провел всё детство в Литве, на всю жизнь впитал в этой прекрасной стране любовь к свободе, независимости и баскетболу❗Сам всю жизнь играю в баскетбол и даже тренировал детей, болею за Жальгирис, все литовские команды, сборную Литвы и стоаны Балтии, до сих пор храню автограф Сабониса и Гарастаса, которые лично взял у них ещё в детстве в конце 80-х годов в Каунасе после матча с эстонским Калевом... 💛💚♥️ LIETUVA

[@ВасяИванов-э2ы]

@@ramamint9235 as jau beveik 30 metu nebuvau Lietuvoje, kalba prisimenu, bet jau nelabai gerai, as gi pats ne lietuvis, todel man lengviau rasyti rusiskai... Norieciau kada nors grizti i LIETUVA, bet nezinau sugebesiu ar ne... Isanksto atsiprasau uz klaidos... 🇱🇹♥️🇺🇦👍🏀

[@arturasrodriguez5870]

@@ramamint9235 Why are you writing nonsense. The guy left a nice message about Lithuania, and expressed in the language that he knows, maybe he doesnt know English. If you dont speak Russian, dont read it. Those who can will, and those that are intrested, (like me) will use google translate.

[@eglunasklimavicius9771]

❤Aciu

[@martynasjusevicius6357]

Thank you NBA for telling our story! If you like this, also watch The Other Dream Team from 2012.

[@PINGVINOSAS]

I’m proud to be Lithuanian 🇱🇹

[@modestasgendvilas4779]

proud to be Lithuanian !!! Bravo tautiečiai !!! Bravo Lietuva !!!! ⬆

[@SP-nx8qx]

Deep respect to (probably the only) country where basketball is the most popular sport!

[@youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwan6687]

Latvia, China and the Philippines are your buddies

[@robertotampioc7318]

Well, there are countries that basketball is also their no.1 sport aside from Lithuania… China Bahamas South Sudan Philippines Estonia

[@audriussiaulys1602]

What this countries won?

[@mariusvismantas2849]

We spent whole day in the basketball court in our childhood. And till today almost every Lithuanian will not miss any game when Lithuania is playing. I also remember when Zalgirs won Euroleague, I have never felt anything like this. It was magical moment and atmosphere in Kaunas. Thank you NBA for such a great movie!

[@Kislotikas]

Spain, France Greece come to our court they can p;lay but they are in amazeing moment the yall told us yeah you play really good, very goo lvl of play from few countries in a court over the years

[@ZhylvisLT]

My memories related to basketball start in ‘95-‘00 period, so I’m pretty jealous to those people who were able to witness the ‘92 Olympics and the crazy Lithuanian NT story. It’s arguably one of the best basketball story in the history of the game. And even after Barcelona, our team (Lithuania’s NT) finished winning bronze in later two Olympics (‘96 and ‘00), that was crazy consistency for country with this relatively small talent pool. This can be achieved only with true love for the game of orange ball. 🇱🇹

[@vytasification]

I was born in Lithuania but I am not a big basketball supporter. I do like basketball, but I love football. In Lithuania football divides people, and basketball, in Lithuania, unites the nation. Thank you to everyone who created this documentary and showed the small but real importance of Lithuanian basketball for our small nation, scattered all over the world, part of that basketball that unites Lithuania.

[@edvinasklemas0734]

my mother said when I was little and when Zalgiri lost, I cried and didn't want anything. I love Zalgiri so much, you can't even imagine

[@aronaslosius2214]

thank you for these stories and everything im a proud lithuanian

[@henrikaslinkevicius1246]

Tears just rolling down my cheeks. Wow. 🇱🇹❤️🫡

[@DKDove]

27:45 Every USA citizen should watch this for 3 minutes. This what means to almost every Lithuanian, especially after we were occupied by russians. It was our way to show for every Lithuanian that we are stronger and we can be stronger, this is our independence energy till goosebumps and this is how you can understand Baltic country of Liuthuania!

[@djruddlv]

I believe it was Barkley, who made fun of Lithuanian players at the '92 Olympics for taking pictures of NBA players. Combined with the crowning "world champions" - it just illuminates the ignorance of them yankees. They will never understand the pride of European teams and players. Sending love to our braliukai 🇱🇻🫶🇱🇹

[@jonasjonava]

Lietuva❤Latvija

[@tomasklovas5560]

Karnišovas fotkino MJ ir kitus, tas pats Karnišovas yra Bulls vadovas :)))

[@klaudijuz09]

i was born in Kaunas. Kaunas is the capital of basketball for sure. I play basketball and its really fun.

[@experiencelife3237]

Viva Lituania!!! 💛💚❤

[@RytisKubilius]

Awesome documentary😀💪Thank You from Lithuania👏👏👏👏

[@RimSimSim]

Thank you NBA amazing doc

[@slay910s]

as a Lithuanian I can confirm that this is soo true. Thank you Americans for supporting us with our basketaball journey. All the generations remembers this and it does mean so much for us. Eternally greatfull, you have shown your character there big time. Love the freedom.

[@Uzauges]

Hello, as a true Lithuanian and Zalgiris fan - I cried a lot while watching this video. Just one observation, it's a shame that you were filmed during Covid, if u know - u know! LITHUANIA!!

[@DKDove]

Lots of Love form Lithuania!! We call basketball as our second religion!

[@mantascepaitis9227]

wow, this made me cry.

[@gaidziomesa]

This was a pleasure to watch.

[@ugniusmeska]

Thanks NBA share for this :) with Lithuania story need more like that

[@lequanthebomber]

Great video! Thank you!

[@Zigmazzz]

I never skip videos like this. Great one NBA! Kids start playing from age 4-5 actually :)

[@andriusseniauskas9188]

Theres noooo way its made for official nba channel!!! 💪👏👏👏

[@donpedro5312]

It's something special❤

[@tadastadux]

Thank you @Nba. Best wishes from Lithuania.

[@milikas]

Nice thank you!!🇱🇹❤️

[@sauliussaulius4596]

We are crazy about basketball!

[@Vanish911]

Latvians braļukas Lithuanians 🇱🇻🏀🇱🇹

[@Coach_Vedo]

i love how this channel FINALLY has start making such documentaries about bball arround the world. Normally, while NBA summer break is still on. You have also beautifull basketball story in former Yugoslavia and nowadays independent republics.

[@omertalt]

Amazing 🇱🇹❤🇱🇹

[@izzyproductions6848]

This lesson was a W 🎉🎉

[@Jencarlos2878]

Fr

[@rv1251]

Its a good movie ,thx NBA

[@zivilevo2270]

Proud of my country! Every time when I’m asked what is Lithuania famous for- first thing that comes to my mind- Basketball 😊

[@mindaugasazubalis]

OMG, guys , thanks for making this video!

[@aivdag8874]

Thanks NBA!!

[@milikas]

We might be small, but this game is in our hearts, because nations fate with basketball is very close… We wanted to show the world that we are not russians and we can fight… ❤️🇱🇹 Proud lithuanian here! 🇱🇹🇱🇹❤️

[@RmXs]

I'm PROUD to be Lithuanian!

[@CocainCasino]

Thanks for this video,surprised im from lt btw!!

[@zergbong]

growing up in the early 90s eastern europe there were two names that were so legendary that every 5year old kid who tried to dribble was shouting their names - Sabonis and Abdul Jabar.

[@Kislotikas]

Vilnius 1988 Csk zalgiris small tv im 5years old yeah... great video

[@BirdsLTU]

was fun watching. Thanks!

[@lukasmockus9062]

great video!

[@klaudijuz09]

I was raised in kaunas im a academy player for Tornado km

[@scorpiss9]

very nice! good job!

[@zandena]

Wow never thought that NBA would post something like this 🔥🤗

[@angiemiksaite1172]

What I want to say all the best to you well done zalgiris😮sabonis

[@angiemiksaite1172]

Gyvenu Australia arvydas sabonis love ❤️

[@gmh1982]

When growing up in Kaunas in the 90s - if you did not play basketball on the streets, you were not one of the boys, you were an outsider, a a weirdo

[@allgiiys]

Quality video

[@Mantis_888]

Lietuva! 🇱🇹 🇱🇹 🇱🇹

[@looduselaps]

please make a video of martin müürsepp. only estonian ever played in nba. Thank you!

[@gratixer]

Thanks! What a great video

[@yashar-el]

Amazing!

[@playa2006hq]

i'm proud to be a lithuanian

[@Domantas-iq2go]

Im proud to be Lithuanian:)

[@shadowfighter298]

well done documentary nba people ! lithuanian opinion

[@vytenismeskauskas]

Lithuania!!!

[@Kingchasethebag-yeah]

W documentary.

[@putinozoidusocupanticus4849]

Beautiful film! Proud Lithuanian here

[@SanPaulinio]

Lithuania on top ! 🇱🇹❤

[@bestclipz4you]

44:00 THAT'S MY COURT OMG

[@Online-Store-JoBolt]

I recommend to watch *the other dream team*.really good documentary how lithuania became a nation and took bronze in olimpics straight after that.really impressive story

[@Kastavo223]

thank you!

[@Pachinoo]

Zalgiris is more than a club, its apart of our identity and culture. This brought tears to my eyes on no hommo typa shi. Zalia Balta f4ver

[@egidijuskernazickas6591]

Its true, Kaunas is capital Lithuanias basketball, here was beginning of Lithuanias basketball, because in Kaunas Sport Hall was European basketball championship in 1939, when Lithuanias team became European champion and now "Žalgiris" Kaunas is one from strongest teams not only in Lithuania, but and in Europe.

[@pbarvainas]

Epic.

[@pauliusliaudenskas9269]

If you're interested in learning more about the Lithuanian team and their fight for independence, there's this great documentary "The other dream team" I recommend watching

[@FishBoneLTU988]

Mes už LIETUVA!!!

[@farmer_rolo753]

BC always been more than a sport here in Lithuania and now we all know why, thank you!

[@santeButTotallyRandomGaming]

Ačiū!

[@davidparnell1637]

Nice

[@angiemiksaite1172]

He’s mine Friend ❤

[@gustaslamo9277]

Lietuva lithuanija 🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹🧠