This is a good result for a new generation of the Lithuanian team, best known for winning three straight Olympic bronze medals from 1992 to 2000 and winning the 2003 EuroBasket in Stockholm.

Gone are key contributors such as forward Saulius Stombergas and center Eurelijus Zurauskas and coming in are promising young players such as Linas Kleiza and Mantas Kalnietis while veterans Arvydas Macijauskas and Darius Songaila make their return to the national side.

And with Sarunas Jasikevicius missing, Kleiza was called on to play a more important role on offense for Antanas Sireika's side.

The 21-year-old answered the call and averaged 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, saving some of his best performances for the knockout stages.

Kleiza had some impressive performances throughout the competition, going for 15 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in a losing effort against Spain in the quarter finals.

But his last game was more enjoyable and more memorable as he contributed 16 points and seven rebounds in Lithuania's win over Germany.

FIBA correspondent Simon Wilkinson talked to him after the seventh place game.

FIBA: This is an encouraging way to finish the competition for Lithuania.

Kleiza: It definitely is good to end our tournament on a high, with a win against a great side like Germany because we are a young team still trying to figure itself out.

FIBA: What were you able to do against Germany that perhaps you didn't do against other teams?

Kleiza: The main thing we did today that we haven't done in recent games is just play our game, get a good lead and maintain it. We made our shots and we defended well.

FIBA: This is your first experience of international basketball. Do you feel you've learned a lot?

Kleiza: Yes I learned an awful lot. This kind of experience will only help our team become better. We also have our point guard, Mantas Kalnietis, who is only 19 and this was a very big test for him. He was basically trying to fill Sarunas Jasikevicius' shoes.

FIBA: Speaking of Jasikevicius, do you think at all about how far you would have gone had he played?

Kleiza: I think things would have been different, but in a good way if he had played. It's hard to know how much better we would have performed, but I think we could have gone a bit further with him.

FIBA: Looking back at the tournament, what are your final thoughts?

Kleiza: Well I think the only game we should have lost was the one against Spain. We were expected to lose that one and we did. It was a shame to lose against Turkey in the classification game, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

FIBA: Are you optimistic about Lithuania's future?

Kleiza: Yes I feel we have a very good group of guys and we just need a chance to play together more. As I said before, this is a young team and you have to keep that in mind and be patient. But I hope we'll do well at the European Championship next year.

FIBA: What are your thoughts about the final between Greece and Spain?

Kleiza: It will be hard for Spain since they are missing Pau Gasol. But we'll have to see. It's good to see two European teams in the finals. It shows that the level is as good in Europe as it is in other parts of the world.