Lithuania Defeats Great Britain 89-88 in FIBA Qualifier

Lithuania pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in basketball history on Thursday, stunning Great Britain with an 89-88 victory in their opening match of the FIBA World Cup 2027 European qualifiers at London's Copper Box Arena. Guard Ignas Sargiunas orchestrated the final twist, scoring nine points in just nine seconds with three consecutive three-pointers to erase a seven-point deficit and secure the win as time expired.

The game appeared headed for a comfortable British triumph in the closing moments. With 9.9 seconds remaining and Lithuania trailing 87-80, Sargiunas drained a deep three-pointer from beyond the arc, narrowing the gap to 87-83. Great Britain responded by fouling Myles Hesson, who made one of two free throws to push the lead to 88-83 with 7.9 seconds left. Undeterred, Sargiunas fired another three from the top of the key at the 3.5-second mark, bringing the score to 88-86 and prompting a British timeout.

As Great Britain inbounded the ball after the stoppage, Carl Wheatle attempted a pass to Gabriel Olaseni, but the ball slipped away. Sargiunas scooped it up near midcourt and launched a 40-foot desperation shot just before the buzzer, watching it swish...