Estonia's Kullamäe sinks buzzer-beater to defeat Lithuania

Estonian player Kristjan Kullamäe emerged as the hero in a dramatic overtime basketball victory against Lithuania, sinking the winning shot with just 0.9 seconds left on the clock. The final score was 110-108.

Kullamäe, who previously played in Lithuania for Panevėžys Lietkabelis, revealed he had anticipated Lithuania's defensive strategy. "I knew what they were going to do, that they would switch defensively, and if a taller player was left on me, I would just go all the way," Kullamäe explained after the game. He successfully executed a difficult two-point shot over Marekas Blaževičius.

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I knew what they were going to do, that they would switch defensively, and if a taller player was left on me, I would just go all the way.

Despite a shaky start in overtime, where he missed a three-pointer and committed two turnovers, Kullamäe remained confident. He finished the game with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, though he also had 5 turnovers. He acknowledged that the earlier mistakes were his own, as he felt the defense was not pressuring him sufficiently.

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I think they were very physical on defense and pressed hard. Knowing their coach, they always demand 101 percent.

Kullamäe emphasized that the game felt like a serious competition, not a friendly match, due to the physical defense. "I think they were very physical on defense and pressed hard," he said. "Knowing their coach, they always demand 101 percent."

While celebrating the win, Kullamäe was critical of his team's performance, particularly their defense. "This game will be useful learning material for us, but we were weak on defense and conceded too many points," he admitted. "We need to improve significantly here. Offense is offense, but everything must start with defense, and that was our weak spot today."

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This game will be useful learning material for us, but we were weak on defense and conceded too many points. We need to improve significantly here. Offense is offense, but everything must start with defense, and that was our weak spot today.