Divided Loyalties

Today the United States and Lithuania played each other in the semi-finals of the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship tournament.  As an American, I of course supported my country’s team.  But as a current resident of Lithuania, I was cheering for Lithuania too.  No one expected the Lithuanian team to do so well this year since it is comprised of young, less experienced players.   And it is hard not to get caught up in the excitement of the local team’s sweep of wins  over the last couple of weeks.  I was disappointed when they didn’t pull out a win this evening, but Lithuania can be proud of their achievements in the tournament.  And hey, I can still be glad that the US team will be playing in the championship game tomorrow.   Plus we got to watch fireworks after the game even through Lithuania lost.

Update, Sunday, 12 September: The cheering crowds and blaring car horns outside my window are a sure sign that Lithuania just beat Serbia to take third place in the 2010 World Basketball Championship!

Go USA!!                                                                                            Lietuva! Lietuva! Lietuva!