In a press conference held on Monday, R. Kurtinaitis, coach of the Lithuanian national basketball team, addressed the challenges in assembling his desired lineup for the upcoming qualification window. The team is set to travel to Iceland and will host the Icelandic team in Klaipėda next week. However, one of the key players, Arnas Velička from Klaipėda's Neptūnas, is facing injury issues, which raises concerns about his participation in the matches. Kurtinaitis mentioned that Velička suffered a setback during the King Mindaugas Cup, complicating the team's strategy.

Kurtinaitis revealed his attempts to personally contact Velička to discuss his condition and the possibility of joining the training camp, but stated that he could not reach him, as Velička did not answer his calls. This situation adds a layer of difficulty for the coach, who expressed his desire for Velička to receive rehabilitation support during the training camp in Birštonas, which is equipped with excellent facilities. He emphasized the quality of medical staff available, particularly those who work with Zalgiris, indicating that they could provide necessary assistance to Velička's recovery process.

While the coach remains hopeful for Velička's rehabilitation and potential return to the court, he acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the player's condition. The situation presents a significant challenge for Kurtinaitis as he prepares the team for critical matches in the qualification cycle, highlighting the broader issues of player availability and health in competitive sports, especially in high-stakes tournaments like international qualifications.