Lithuania go into the EuroBasket a much weaker team than expected with late injuries robbing coach Antanas Sireika of two more key players in Arvydas Macijauskas and Dainius Salenga.

There was a glimmer of hope that sharpshooter Macijauskas might recover from a foot injury but that has now been dashed with the New Orleans Hornet definitely out of the competition.

Salenga was ruled out at the weekend with sprained knee ligaments.

The task for Sireika was tough enough before the latest setbacks.

		“	We are still the defending champions and we know how to fight	„
		Antanas Sireika

Sarunas Jasikevicius and Darius Songaila made themselves unavailable due to NBA commitments, and veterans Saulius Stombergas and Eurelijus Zukauskas retired after the Olympics.

Lithuania will have a major battle just to survive Group B in Podgorica where they will face Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria.

The Baltic country must avoid a last place finish to reach the knockout stage.

There is no question that Macijauskas' absence hurts the most as he is one of the best shooters in international basketball.

In eight games at the Olympics, he shot 54% (27 of 50) from three-point range.

Before leaving for their game last week in Russia to play the second leg of the Federation Supercup, Sireika vowed to put a competitive team on the floor.

"Now when we don't have Arvydas, the rest of the team will have to give 110%," he said.

"We are still the defending champions and we know how to fight."

That was before Salenga was ruled out with a knee injury, though.

Salenga did not play in the Federation Supercup, a 77-71 defeat for his side, and has since told his coach that doctors do not want him to play because of sprained knee ligaments.

"When I have movements, I feel a very sharp pain," he said.

Darius Silinskis, a 2.16m center who played for Lithuania's gold medal winning side at FIBA U21 World Championship in Argentina, has been called into the team.

"Darius Salenga called me on Saturday and said that he couldn't play because of the injury," Sireika said.

"With the other coach, we decided to invite a big man."

Veteran Mindaugus Zukauskas of Montepaschi Siena is emerging as a key figure for Lithuania.

He will be counted on to provide leadership, and an outside shot.

Slowed by injury earlier in the summer, Zukauskas is playing again and had 15 points in the defeat to the Russians.

Lithuania begin their EuroBasket against Turkey on September 16.