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“Today’s game was very important on two levels,” said Russia’s American coach, David Blatt. “First we wanted very badly to qualify and we did that. Secondly and more importantly, we played the game in memory of the hockey team from Yaroslavl. As sportsmen, they are our brothers and sisters. “We played the game with passion ... and with a way of working hard, demonstrating the qualities of sportsmen that honour their memory. That was what the game was more about than anything else.” Toronto Star

FIBA, Russia, David Blatt, Eurobasket 

Nicolas Batum: Good night people...big game against the home team Lithuania tomorrow Twitter

FIBA, France, Nicolas Batum, Eurobasket 

French star Tony Parker caught up with an old friend in Vilnius when he came face to face once again with NBA refereeing guru Ronnie Nunn. Within seconds of meeting, the pair became locked in deep conversation and it didn't take long for Parker to give Nunn a glowing report about the current crop of EuroBasket 2011 game officials. "I think the biggest thing I am happy with this year is the way that we can talk to the referees," explained the San Antonio Spurs point guard. "Obviously this is all about showing them a lot of respect and making sure you don't scream. It has to be a two-way conversation if you want to be able to learn and talk about things with them. Eurobasket2011.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, FIBA, France, Eurobasket 

The feedback from Parker was music to his ears having spent time recently collaborating with FIBA Europe to help further develop referees. "Tony brings up a great subject and it's important because he is a gentleman and one of the great leaders not only in the NBA, but also for France and indeed for basketball right across the world," Nunn said. "Effective communication is important for everyone, not just on the court but in today's world very much away from the court too. From a referee's standpoint, communication is a key skill and of course they also have to avoid over-communicating too. "In my current role, I am continuing to work with FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin and especially FIBA Europe Head of Operations Miguel Betancor to develop our game officials." Eurobasket2011.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, FIBA, France, Eurobasket 

Mark Woods: Bulls C Joakim Noah says his transition to international basketball has been made really easy by team-mates. Enjoying experience. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Joakim Noah, France, Eurobasket 

Mark Woods: Pau Gasol practicised OK for Spain on Tuesday and will play against Germany today. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, FIBA, Injuries, Spain, Eurobasket 

A loss to Spain on Wednesday would give Germany an almost impossible mission to rescue its ambitions. Keeping the center combo of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka under control will be pivotal to Germany's hopes of an upset win over the reigning champion. Typically, Kaman pulls no punches. Bring on the challenge, he declared. "I'm not worried about anybody," he confirmed. "I've been playing in the NBA for eight years and I play against all these guys. Serge Ibaka, the Gasol brothers, they're all solid players, but none of them are better than Dirk Nowitzki and none of them are any better than the rest of us. "We're all playing basketball and there is no reason to worry about any player. We just play our game and do the things we're supposed to do." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dirk Nowitzki, FIBA, Spain, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Germany, Eurobasket 

Two summers ago, Kanter was the MVP of the European under-18 championships, averaging 18.6 points and 16.4 rebounds per game and dominating his peers. Bringing him into the senior fold this summer, Turkish coach Orhun Ene wasn't entirely sure what to expect. With Cleveland Cavaliers center Semih Erden out with an injury, Ene had a vacancy, and Kanter, whom he passed on last summer, was willing to make his case for inclusion on the country's final 12-man roster for EuroBasket. "Throughout our warm-up games, he improved a lot," Ene said. Enough to earn himself a significant role. "It's difficult for players at the NBA level sometimes to adapt to European tournaments because European basketball is different. But he's understood what game he should play." ESPN.com

Utah Jazz, FIBA, Turkey, Enes Kanter, Eurobasket 

Andrea Bargnani: Tonight we play Germany. A reader asked me who would win a three-point contest between Dirk Nowitzki and myself? I’d have to go with Dirk. He’s the best in the game right now. The guy just won the NBA title, he’s been MVP of the regular season and also the Finals. What more can you ask for? That said, I hope we prevail against Nowitzki’s team today. We really need this win. HoopsHype

Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Dirk Nowitzki, FIBA, Italy, Andrea Bargnani, Eurobasket 

Andrea Bargnani: Kaman, Noah and Gasol are just some of the NBA players in Lithuania this month, but there’s plenty of non-NBA talent here. @AndreaCentenari asked which of those guys I fear the most. I’d have to go with Juan Carlos Navarro of Spain. He just scores, scores and scores. Navarro has been a superstar in Europe for many years and is still going strong, as you could see yesterday. HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, FIBA, Spain, Italy, Andrea Bargnani, Juan Carlos Navarro, Eurobasket 

Chris Kaman: I feel like I am back in Mexico because they tell me I can't drink the tap water here in Lithuania! Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, FIBA, Chris Kaman, Lithuania, Eurobasket 

France has been installed as a secondary favorite with the availability of five of its NBA players, including -- for the first time -- Bulls center Joakim Noah. "I'm not really sure what's awaiting me but I know that as a group, we're hungry," said Noah, who had 10 points and seven rebounds in France's 89-78 win over Latvia. "We want to show up and prove ourselves. We're going to stay together and live this. It's exciting." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, FIBA, Joakim Noah, France, Eurobasket 

Spain began their defence of the Eurobasket crown with a unconvincing 83-79 victory over Poland in Panevezys. Pau Gasol led the Spanish with 29 points with Juan Carlos Navarro backing him up with 23 in a game where Spain didn’t get out of first gear and still came away with the victory. The big story for the holders is how little their point guards influenced the tie. With Ricky Rubio, Jose Calderon and Sergio Llull all failing to register a single point. Despite Spain leading 61-52 after three, and looking comfortable. Poland, with nothing to lose, went all out and attacked the glum Eurobasket holders. They dragged it to just two points, thanks to foul shots from Thomas Kelati with a minute to play (80-78), but a pair of free-throws from Navarro and one from Pau settled the tie and condemned Poland to defeat. TalkBasket

Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Pau Gasol, Jose Manuel Calderon, FIBA, Ricky Rubio, Sergio Llull, Spain, Eurobasket 

What's your overall outlook on the European Championships? Pau Gasol: I do think we have a great collection of talent, but there are great teams here. Whether it is the best collection or not, I am not the one who should judge. I know we are the defending champion; it will be very hard to win it again. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Spain, Eurobasket 

Having "Deutschland" stretched across the front of his jersey could compel Kaman to do a double-take. But the pride of Grand Rapids, Mich., will wear the red, white, black and yellow by virtue of his great-grandparents' German heritage. "I take a little bit of heat for it," Kaman said, "but I don't care. I'm going to do what I want to do." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, FIBA, Chris Kaman, Germany, Eurobasket 

Kaman said Germany struggled in Beijing because of poor shooting but also acknowledged that he had difficulty adapting to the physical nature of international play. "It was like a wrestling match to me," Kaman said. "I was like, Are we playing football or basketball?" Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, FIBA, Chris Kaman, Germany, Eurobasket 

Jose Manuel Calderon: Explaining something about The picture by Marc.Is a picture with his roommate. NOTHING else. People trying to make something out of nothing Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Jose Manuel Calderon, FIBA, Marc Gasol, Eurobasket 

Thomas Van Den Spiegel: Heard some complaining about #EuroBasket2011 organization. Well, no complaining here in #Klaipeda. People doing a great job so far. Twitter

FIBA, Eurobasket 

Every two years the best national basketball teams in Europe battle it out for continental supremacy at EuroBasket. This year’s edition should be typically intense and, given the current lockout, there will be no shortage of N.B.A. players. Part N.B.A., part Euroleague, mixed in with some soccer-style fan fervor; here’s what to look for at when EuroBasket 2011 tips off Wednesday in Lithuania: There are 24 nations vying for a spot in the final Sept. 18, which would guarantee direct Olympic qualification for 2012. Teams are divided into four groups of six, with the top three in each group advancing to the second round. Spain, the defending champions from 2009, is once again the favorite. New addition Serge Ibaka brings athleticism to the already dominant low-post tandem of Pau and Marc Gasol. In the Spanish backcourt, Barcelona’s Juan Carlos Navarro has proven he is one of Europe’s elite shooters, and at 31 has shown no sings of slowing down. Eyes will also be on Ricky Rubio, who is playing with a sprained ankle, as the young point guard showcases his talents on the European stage one more time before his move to the Minnesota Timberwolves. New York Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Pau Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Spain, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Eurobasket 

Thomas Van Den Spiegel: Sitting next to Joakim Noah on charter flight. Sticker on laptop said "I am so happy I shit rainbows". Not bad. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, FIBA, Joakim Noah, Eurobasket