February 12th – 17th Norwegian basketball team Sandvika BBK visited Kaunas. They started their stay watching Eurolegue match Kauno “Žalgiris” vs Madrid “Real” at Žalgiris arena with more then 11000 fans.
On Friday morning Sandvika BBK team started their practices. They were preparing for game with Chine U18 team – Foshan. Sandvika BBK team, where U18, U17 and U16 basketball players are playing lost game against Foshan team with the result 55:76. Next day, after morning practice, Norwegians played with Tornado BS U18 team. Lithuanian were stronger and won 76:66. At fourth day in Lithuania, Sandvika BBK players finally gain the victory, against Tornado BS U17 team. After very intensive game, they celebrated victory with the result 61:67. Finally, with a crushing victory against Jonava KKSC 89:40, they ended their stay in Lithuania.
“Such stays are value of gold – shared his thoughts
coach David Cox. – It’s a challenge to play against stronger and bigger opponents and to withstand a more physical aproach. Younger players are allowed to play at the higher level, they don’t play in Norway. The whole team became more cohesive, more players sacrificial one for the others. We have improved. Throughout the trip, the focus has been on defence: rotations, help, close – out, box – out,collective intensity. This team worked very conciously and improved defence. Despite the team’s second player is 189 cm, we have not been over played in Paint by some of the opponents, not even the Chinese who had 210 cm! This shows that boys are working diligently to meet opponents in Painted zone and force them to shoot from distance. And we will work on it on the future in the season”.
