Lithuania sweeps group play at World Basketball Championships

IZMIR -- The Lithuanian National Basketball team has gone undefeated in the group play round of the World Championships in Turkey.

In what has so far amounted to a dream come true for a small country passionate about its basketball, the team swept past defending world champions Spain, as well as fellow European giants France, to secure the top seed in their pool.

Lithuania played the final match of their pool against Lebanon on Sept. 2, winning by a score of 84-66, though Lithuania had already secured the top spot in the group before the game.

"Lebanon really showed a tough game and it was hard for us... This game required full concentration for the full time. It was a hard group for us but taking four wins is a boost for our confidence. We always believed in our game," said Lithuanian player Renaldas Seibutis after the final group match.

Lithuania became the group leader, Spain came the second, New Zealand the third and France the fourth. Canada and Lebanon were eliminated.

Lithuania will go on to play China in the round of 16 on Sept 7.