Sports in Lithuania: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

List of most popular sports in Lithuania:

• Basketball
• Soccer
• Athletics
• Cycling

Basketball

Basketball has always been the most popular sport in Lithuania. A few facts:

• Lithuanian basketball team has won Europe Championship in 1937, 1939, 2003. Won 2^nd place in 1995 (Athens).
• Europe Championship in 1939 was held in Lithuania.
• "Žalgiris" Kaunas has won Europe cup in 1998 and Euroleague in 1999
• Bronze medal winners in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Several Lithuanian basketball players have successfully played in the NBA:
  • Arvydas Sabonis (Portland Trail Blazers, 1995-2001, 2002-03)
  • Sarunas Marciulionis (Golden State Warriors and other teams, 1989-1997)
  • Zydrunas Ilgauskas (still playing for Cleveland Cavaliers)
  • Darius Songaila (playing for Sacramento Kings from 2003)
• Many other Lithuanians are starring in European leagues, among them:
  • Sarunas Jasikevicius (playing for reigning Euroleague champions Maccabi Tel-Aviv)
  • Arvydas Macijauskas (playing for Spain champions Vitoria Tau Ceramica)
• Currently Lithuania is ranking 3^rd in FIBA ranking for men.

Lithuania does not have a strong soccer team, but there are individual players playing in strong European football leagues.
Also, Lithuanians, like the rest of the Europe do like watch UEFA Champions League, World Championships and other world class football tournaments.

Lithuanian athlets have achieved some medals in Olympics and Europe/World championships.

There are a few Lithuanian cyclists with high achievements in prestigious cycling tours and in World championships.