Rimvidas Samulenas, Lithuanian head coach of basketball club “Sokhumi”, is coaching the team for one month but the team has already had a good result. The eight round game of the national championship proved that. “Sokhumi” won over MIA which is strengthened with American legionaries. Today, we attended another training of “Sokhumi”. The team is preparing for future games. Samulenas is heading training process with his assistants. After the end of the training, “World Sport” talked to Samulenas.

- First of all, I will ask you about the general feeling in the team.

- There is a business mood in the team. Boys are working intensively and gladly.

- You are working in Tbilisi as a head coach. Though, you were arriving in our country in Soviet times. What is your impression about Georgia?

- First time I arrived in your country with “Jalgiris” youth team. We were young boys and lived carelessly. That is why we lost food checks in Tbilisi and lost our way while walking in the city. We asked for help and people showed their kindness – they fed and sent us to the hotel by taxi. Georgians are warn, smiley people and I am sympathetic toward your country.

- You were playing for “Jalgiris” Kaunas with many famous basketball players. Did you have friendly relationship with them and do you keep it till today?

- Members of “Jalgiris” and Lithuanian youth team were friends. I have special relationship with Sabonis, Marchulionis, Visockas and Iovaisha. They called me Samas. I still have good relationship with them. We keep in touch.

- Your friend Arvydas Sabonis is appointed as a president of Lithuanian Basketball Federation. How do you think, will candidate of Sabas work and how do you estimate work of Vladas Garastas?

- I think, Sabas will do his work well. The most important is what kind of surroundings Arvidas will choose. Time will show everything though competence and authority of Sabonis will work for sure. I hope Lithuanian basketball will move to higher level. As for work of Garastas, it is estimated positively.

- EuroBasket 2011 was a special tournament for Georgia and Lithuania. Georgia participated in the decisive round of it for the first time. Your country hosted EuroBasket after a long pause. What can you say about EuroBasket, Georgian and Lithuanian teams, and about winner Spain?

- Unfortunately, I have not seen playing of your country. Do not think that I was not interested in playing of Georgian team. A weak team could not have played at EuroBasket. I was just orientated on Lithuanian team. The staff of our national team was renewed and perhaps that is why the team could not show better result we expected. I wanted Spain and Lithuania to play in the final. Unfortunately, my dream did not come true though I am not dissatisfied with the tournament. The championship turned out interesting and it has a worthy winner.

- You arrived in Tbilisi a short time ago. Besides that you might have noticed a lot of things here. How can you estimate Georgian basketball?

- I know history of Georgian basketball very well. I always watched games of “Dinamo” Tbilisi. Most of all, I liked playing of Mikheil Korkia and Nikoloz Deriugin. Nowadays, there are not basketball players of their level at Georgian Championship but I think the national championship is normal. In my opinion, “Armia” is a club of European level. I respect all clubs which are competing in the championship. The federation and the government help Georgian basketball to develop and it is very important.

- You achieved the first victory as a head coach of “Sokhumi” by defeating MIA.

- We prepared for the game against MIA. The boys did their best. I think they played well. 20 rebounds showed that. Sergo Atuashvili did not participate in this game and he was a great loss for us. Perhaps, I am mistaken but I think our opponent did not estimate our strength and we used that.

- You will hold the next game against “Armia”. How do you think, will “Sokhumi” be without any chance?

- If I think so I will not take the team to the arena for playing. I am maximalist and I always aim to win games. As for the game against “Armia”, there is always a chance but we must use it. I have some plans and let us see what will happen. Sergo will play this time. He trained today and he will prepare for Saturday’s game.

- Tomorrow, “Armia” will hold a decisive game of EuroChallenge against Dutch “Leiden”. How do you think, will the Tbilisi club overcome the first group obstacle of EuroChallenge?

- I have not watched their game in Tbilisi though I know a lot about “Leiden” and “Armia” will have a worthy opponent. In spite of it, I think the team of Tugushi has more chance to win. I wish good luck to “Armia”.

- What is the goal of “Sokhumi” in Georgian national championship?

- I told you that I am maximalist but getting in Top 3 will satisfy us.

- Will you need to strengthen the staff?

- My assistants will work on adding new basketball players. In my opinion, it will be good if we return any Georgian basketball player who is playing abroad to the national championship. Adding a good legionary will also be good.

- Before the start of the second round, you will have to compete in Cup of Georgia. What is the aim of “Sokhumi” in this tournament?

- We will hold a meeting before Cup of Georgia. We will compete in the tournament with full seriousness.

- How can you form your coaching credo?

- I always tell the boys to play quickly but not to hurry. My priority is defence which means effective offence.

- You have great playing and coaching career. Do you have some unrealizable basketball dream?

- I am doing my favorite job since childhood and I am satisfied. I am disappointed that I could not play in the main team of “Jalgiris” Kaunas. There was a great competition and it was difficult to get among 12 basketball players. I have played in some games of “Jalgiris”. Then, I was called up for the Soviet army. As for coaching, I think I have everything ahead and my goal is to coach the Euroleague club.

Gocha Kacharava