00:00This year's Basketball Champions League final was one to remember.
00:05Likotius, he's got it.
00:07Well, just like that, it's a 15-point game.
00:10Retis Vilnius riding the hot hand of Simis Likotius
00:13to stage a remarkable comeback from 20 points down to force overtime.
00:18Likotius comes out, gets it from the wing.
00:22Look at him, what the sound.
00:25Unbelievable.
00:26Rising from the down.
00:28Ultimately going on to beat Ike
00:30and become the first Lithuanian team to win the BCL title.
00:35Likotius.
00:36And Fuego.
00:39Likotius.
00:41Likotius.
00:42Retis Vilnius.
00:43Win it over Ike BC
00:45to win the Basketball Champions League.
00:50Likotius would earn Final Four MVP honors
00:52for his role in the spectacular closing act,
00:55finishing with 23 points, including a BCL final record seven three-pointers.
01:01None bigger than that shot to bring his team level.
01:04They get to Likotius.
01:05He's going to put it up.
01:07Oh!
01:09They didn't foul.
01:10They didn't foul.
01:12And now you're going to pay the price.
01:14Go!
01:15Likotius, the hottest shooter in Europe tonight.
01:19Not much was going through my mind.
01:21It was a play that we actually ran and shoot around,
01:24and I was put in the position to be the shooter,
01:28and we executed it perfectly.
01:30I just had to do a shot fake and one dribble,
01:32and, yeah, I'm really glad we went in.
01:35For Likotius, the title was reward for a team
01:38that refused to give up,
01:40not just in the final, but throughout the campaign.
01:43Likotius goes to a step back.
01:46It's off three.
01:46Oh, my goodness!
01:48Are you kidding me?
01:49What did we just witness?
01:52I think our story, we've had so many ups and downs
01:57that it just felt like we've been there before,
01:59and also the fans.
02:01I mean, with that atmosphere, it's impossible to give up.
02:05Yeah, we did it,
02:07and I think that's what brought us even more together
02:09and made it possible to have such a special combat.
02:13Now Likotius has his next dream in his sights.
02:16Though born in Lithuania,
02:18the 23-year-old has dual citizenship
02:20and plans to represent Germany on the international stage,
02:26saying recently that he hopes head coach Alex Mumbrou
02:29selects him for next month's FIBA World Cup
02:322027 European qualifiers.
02:39Likotius would be joining a formidable side,
02:41the reigning champion of both the FIBA World Cup
02:44and Eurobasket,
02:45built around captain and playmaker Dennis Schroeder
02:48and star small forward Franz Wagner.
02:51Franz Wagner gets it up, looking for the foul,
02:54but he's so good, he makes the shot anyway.
02:55Wagner is doing everything for Germany.
02:59While defensive ace Isaac Bonga,
03:01consistent big man Johannes Thiemann,
03:04and sharpshooter Andreas Obst
03:06have all been among the contributors
03:07during Germany's incredible run.
03:11Obst.
03:16Germany sits second in Group E of qualifying
03:19with a 3-1 record,
03:21having split a pair of meetings with Croatia
03:22earlier this year.
03:24Despite already clinching a place in the second round,
03:27the Germans will be looking for two more wins
03:29over Israel and Cyprus
03:31to give them a platform for their remaining contests.
03:37And the addition of Lukotius,
03:39a proven clutch performer,
03:41could be a welcome one
03:42for a team accustomed to big moments.
03:45Well, Hughes 3 and La Bonna, good nights!
03:49It's your moment, Simonis!
03:51It is your moment!
03:53For all the latest on the road
03:55to the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers,
03:58head to FIBA.basketball.
04:00He gives it to Lukotius!
04:02Oh my God!
04:03He's on fire!
04:05He can miss!
04:06Let's go!
04:08Lukotius!
04:10Turning in a performance for the ages!
04:14A European legend is born tonight!
04:18Fire!
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