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"I like both playing sports and watching games."
This was stated by the Lithuanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Kestutis Vaškelevičius, in an interview with AZERTAC.
We present this interview.
- "Sabah"'s football and basketball clubs became champions of Azerbaijan this season. An interesting point is that the head coaches of both teams - both Valdas Dambrauskas and Rimas Kurtinaitis - are Lithuanian specialists. What can you say about their success?
- I am truly proud that Lithuanian coaches contribute to significant sports achievements in Azerbaijan and, more broadly, to the development of team sports here. We clearly see the results of this: increasing public interest in sports, a growing fan base, and increasing popularity of both basketball and football. At the same time, Azerbaijan is attracting more attention both in Lithuania and throughout Europe. This season alone, the basketball and football teams of "Sabah" employ a total of 7 Lithuanian coaches. These include Olympic basketball champion and bronze medalist Rimas Kurtinaitis, as well as Valdas Dambrauskas, who has won championships in several European countries.
In a broader context, we are witnessing a revival of team sports in Azerbaijan across many sports. Here, I would also like to specifically highlight the truly exceptional work of "Qarabağ"'s head coach, Gurban Gurbanov, as well as the consistent efforts of the national federations of basketball, football, gymnastics, and other sports. All this hard, systematic work and international cooperation ultimately pays off.
- Have you gone to the arenas to watch the games of both teams during the season?
- Yes, I attended many matches throughout the season, often going to games with my family and the Lithuanian community. Several times we organized groups to watch the games together with ambassadors and diplomats from other European countries and the USA. This was not only about sports, but also about building relationships and cheering for Azerbaijani sports.
- In your opinion, who were the best players of both teams this season? Are there any names you can specifically mention?
- Since I am just a sports fan, I would not want to risk naming the best players. I prefer to leave such assessments to the experts. However, I would like to specifically highlight the fighting spirit demonstrated by Azerbaijani basketball player Kamran Mammadov during yesterday's final game between "Sabah" and "Absheron Lions". It is these moments – moments full of determination and skill – that make sports so attractive to fans. Overall, many players showed memorable performances throughout the season.
- How interested are you in other sports?
- I like both playing sports and watching games. Although basketball is a natural interest for a Lithuanian, I also follow and support many other sports. During my time in Azerbaijan, I have attended basketball and football matches, as well as performances by Lithuanian gymnastics and rowing teams competing in Azerbaijan.
It is also worth noting that the national football teams of Lithuania and Azerbaijan are in the same group in the UEFA Nations League. We will meet in September and October. I look forward to seeing many football fans at the stadium in Baku.
