From September 20 to 22, the 10th annual international children’s basketball tournament, “Kaunas Cup 2024,” took place in Kaunas. A total of 26 teams from six European countries competed across three age groups. The tournament drew attention from teams in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, as well as guests from neighboring Latvia, Poland, and, of course, from Lithuanian basketball schools.
Tornado KM – “Metga” Shines with Gold Medals
U16 – 2009
In the senior group, twelve teams competed. They were divided into four subgroups of three teams each, and on the first day, the teams played in a round-robin format. The eight strongest teams continued the fight for medals in the knockout rounds, while the four weakest teams played consolation matches for places 9 to 12. In the semifinals, Šiaulių KA “Saulė” (LTU) faced Vilniaus KM (LTU) and Tornado KM – “Metga” (LTU) took on BS Jugla (LAT). The matches were fiercely contested and in both games, the outcome was uncertain until the last minutes. Tornado KM and the basketball players from Saulė City secured their spots in the final. In the bronze medal match, BS Jugla confidently defeated the team from Vilnius, while the tournament hosts, Tornado KM – “Metga”, triumphed in the finals.
Final Team Standings:
- Tornado KM – „Metga“ (LTU)
- Šiaulių KA „Saulė“ (LTU)
- BS Jugla (LAT)
- Vilniaus KM (LAT)
- Liepaja SSS (LAT)
- BS Ogre (LAT)
- Akademia Mlode Dzikow (POL)
- KM „Perkūnas“ (LTU)
- Fhuset, Stockholm (SWE)
- Tornado KM – “Fudo” (LTU)
- MKK Boruta Zgierz (POL)
- DBV Charlottenburg, Berlin (GER)
In the three-point shooting contest, the snipers from Šiaulių KA “Saulė” were unbeatable: Kristupas Blažys (1st place) and Gustas Šambaris (2nd place).
The top 5 players of the tournament Emils Steckis (Liepaja SSS, LAT), Mantas Klevinskas (Vilniaus KM, LTU), Kristofers Fibigs (BS Jugla, LAT), Emilis Alishan Adnan (Šiaulių KA “Saulė”, LTU), Zakhar Pokoiovyi (Tornado KM – “Metga”, LTU) were awarded with gifts from sponsors and commemorative trophies.
Lithuanian Champions Tornado KM Defends Their Title
U14 – 2011
In the U14 age group, six teams from Latvia and Lithuania competed. All teams played each other in a round-robin format, and the team with the most points (2 points for a win, 1 point for a loss) lifted the champions’ trophy. Three teams had the same score, sharing second to fourth places with 8 tournament points each. Following the calculation of points scored and conceded, the silver medals went to Latvian champions Vilku Banda, Riga, while Sostinės KM – Ledvance claimed bronze.
Final Team Standings:
- Tornado KM (LTU)
- Vilku banda (LAT)
- Sostinės KM – Ledvance (LTU)
- KA „Snaiperis“ (LTU)
- East-Ball, Riga (LAT)
- Tornado KM II (LTU)
In the three-point shooting contest, the most accurate shooter was Vijus Vyšniauskas from Tornado KM II, with Neidas Ivanovas (KA “Snaiperis”) coming second.
Olivers Vane (East-Ball, LAT), Marius Leskauskas (KA “Snaiperis”, LTU), Gustas Gražulis (Sostinės KM – “Ledvance”, LTU), Pauls Pilders (Vilku Banda, LAT), and Lukas Saročka (Tornado KM, LTU) were selected for the tournament’s symbolic five.
The Champions’ Trophy Heads to the Coast
U12 – 2013
In the youngest age group, eight teams competed for the championship title on the court. After playing in subgroups in a round-robin format, the teams continued their battle for medals using a knockout system. In the semifinals, Klaipėdos KM – UAB Laiska confidently defeated Sostinės KM, while KM “Žalgiris” narrowly overcame the hosts, Tornado KM, by just one point. The bronze medal match was also intense for the Tornado team, with the winner being decided in the final minutes. After the final buzzer, Tornado KM celebrated victory with a two-point lead. In the final showdown, the guests from the seaside overcame Žalgiris with a comfortable margin.
Final Team Standings:
- Klaipėdos KM – UAB Laiska (LTU)
- KA „Žalgiris“ (LTU)
- Tornado KM (LTU)
- Sostinės KM (LTU)
- BS Zemgale (LAT)
- Akademia Mlode Dzikow (POL)
- HNMKY (FIN)
- Marupes NSS (LAT)
In the three-point shooting contest, the top shooter was Adomas Vybornas (KA “Žalgiris”), with Matas Misevičius (“Tornado” KM) finishing in second place.
The players selected for the symbolic five were Ernests Paeglis (BS Zemgale, LAT), Adomas Nagelė (Sostinės KM, LTU), Rokas Krasauskas (Tornado KM, LTU), Redas Černiauskas (KA “Žalgiris”), and Majus Butkus (Klaipėdos KM – UAB Laiska, LTU), all of whom received Xiaomi prizes and commemorative gifts from Tornado KM.
“Two months of intense preparation, about 360 participants, 65 matches, teams from 6 European countries, a lot of basketball and great emotions,” said school director Dainius Čiuprinskas. “The Kaunas Cup becomes the final chord for most teams before their national championships begin. The tournament is invaluable experience for both the children and the coaches, as well as for us. I want to thank everyone who helped organize the tournament – the parents for their assistance during the event, the children who dedicated their time and energy to filming and broadcasting the matches, the photographers who captured moments from the tournament, and of course, the school’s sponsors – Xiaomi, Orkla Care, and Osama for providing prizes, Kaunas City Municipality, which partially funded this tournament, and of course, the entire Tornado KM team for their help during the tournament. Thanks to all of us, the name of the Kaunas Cup tournament is resonating louder and louder!”
