Macedonia Pins Hopes on Basketball Team

Macdonia's government on Tuesday announced that it had bought 150 tickets and rented a direct flight to Kaunas in a move to boost the basketball players in the European Championship quarter-finals.

The game is scheduled to be played tonight at the Kaunas Arena in Lithuania, where more then 14,000 home fans will welcome the Macedonian team and its supporters.

Macedonia lost against Russia by one shot (61:63) in the last game of the second round, interupting what had been a winning streak lasting six games. This put it in second place in Group F and it will play next in the quarter-finals against Lithuania. The outcome of the game is important as it will decide who plays in the semi-finals.

Macedonia’s government has been vocal in its support for the team, whose players have become national heroes in the wake of their winning streak.

Overnight, team leader Pero Antic, American-born Lester Bo MacCalleb and the others have become national heroes, while the streets of the capital are empty when the team is playing.

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 with the "Medal for Desserts for Macedonia".

"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 announced.

Several days earlier the government rewarded the players with 3,000 euros each for their results so far. If they succeed in positioning themselves among the top six teams on the Championship - which would secure their place in the qualifications Tournament for the London Olympic 2012 - they will get an additional 5,000 euros.