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Algirdas Lauritėnas facts for kids

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Algirdas Lauritėnas
Algirdas Lauritenas.PNG
Personal information
Born (1932-11-05)November 5, 1932
Kaunas, Lithuania
Died August 7, 2001(2001-08-07) (aged 68)
Kaunas, Lithuania
Sport
Sport Basketball
Club Žalgiris Kaunas
Medal record
Representing the  Soviet Union
Olympic Games
Silver 1956 Melbourne USSR
FIBA EuroBasket
Gold 1953 Moscow USSR
Bronze 1955 Budapest USSR
Gold 1957 Sofia USSR

Algirdas Teodoras Lauritėnas (born November 5, 1932 – died August 7, 2001) was a famous Lithuanian basketball player. He was a key member of the Soviet Union's national basketball team during the 1950s. He achieved great success, including winning a silver medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He also helped his team become European champions twice, in 1953 and 1957. In 1955, they earned a bronze medal at the European Championship.

A Basketball Star

Algirdas Lauritėnas was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. From a young age, he showed great talent in basketball. He became a well-known player for the Žalgiris Kaunas club. This team is one of the most famous basketball clubs in Lithuania.

Olympic Achievement

One of Algirdas's biggest achievements was at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He played for the Soviet Union's basketball team. The team performed very well, reaching the final match. They won a silver medal, which was a huge accomplishment for them.

European Champion

Algirdas also had a lot of success in the FIBA EuroBasket championships. These are competitions for national basketball teams in Europe.

  • In 1953, his team won the gold medal in Moscow. They were the best team in Europe that year.
  • In 1955, they earned a bronze medal in Budapest. This showed their consistent performance.
  • In 1957, they once again won the gold medal in Sofia. This made them European champions for the second time with Algirdas on the team.

Algirdas Lauritėnas is remembered as a skilled and important player. He helped his teams achieve many victories. His career showed great dedication to the sport of basketball.

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