Macedonia Celebrates Shock Win Over Lithuania

Thousands of jubilant Macedonians gathered in the main square of the capital, Skopje, to celebrate the national basketball team’s stunning win over Lithuania in Kaunas.

Macedonia, the biggest surprise in the EuroBasket tournament, beat the host nation Lithuania 67-65, against all predictions of a likely victory by the host team.

American-born Bo McCalebb scored 23 points, with Vojdan Stojanovski adding 15. Macedonia will next play the defending champion, Spain in the semifinals.

“It’s a huge win for us,” Stojanovski said. “We kept the game close. We played a very good defence and the pressure was on them at the end.”

While the 15,000 home fans left the Kaunas arena in stunned silence, several hundred Macedonian supporters cheered and sang long after the game was over.

Lithuania’s national team has won three medals in the last five Olympics and was a favourite to win the FIBA European championship.

Macedonia has never even qualified for the Olympics and has played twice previously in the EuroBasket championship.

Two years ago the national basketball team won two matches, coming ninth in the tournament.

Macedonia, the surprise team of this tournament, saw its winning streak roll on despite the absence of one of its top players, power forward Todor Gechevski, who was out of action with a broken hand.

“I don't think anyone expected this. This is the biggest success for Macedonia ever in any sport,” coach Marin Dokuzovski said.

People have celebrated the latest victories with massive enthusiasm. Outside the main square, streets were empty in Skopje tonight, and only the sound of the game on TV and loud cheering could be  heard.

While victories against Croatia, Finland, Bosnia were events to savour in a country that takes few prizes in sport, victory against Macedonia’s neighbour, Greece, was seen as the icing on the cake.

In the quarter-finals Macedonia lost against Russia by one shot (61:63) in the last game of the second round, interrupting what had been a series of six wins.

Macedonia’s government has been vocal in its support for the team whose players have become national heroes. It paid for 150 fans to attend tonight's game.

Although the tournament is still on, President Gorgje Ivanov has already honoured the players. On Monday, he issued a decree awarding the players and team support staff with a medal. 


“The President decided to honour the Macedonian National team for its great results at international level. They have made an outstanding contribution to the development and popularization of this sport and to the affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia in the world," his office said.

Several days earlier the government rewarded the players with 3,000 euros each for their results so far and pledged additional 5,000 euros if they succeed in positioning themselves among the top six teams on the Championship .