Lithuania will look to match their achievement from four years ago and finish on the third step of the podium when they take on France in Saturday’s Third-Place Game of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Palacio de los Deportes.

In the most recent international meeting between the two teams, Lithuania lost to France in the Final of EuroBasket 2013.

Jonas Kazlauskas’s men have won all but two of their games at Spain 2014. Their path to the Semi-Finals was marked by some resilient showings before falling to the USA.

The ability of the Lithuanian roster to stand up to adversity, fight through and find success has been one of the talking points of the current tournament.

Lithuanian players applaud fans after losing to USA

Jonas Valanciunas has been the most conspicuous player for Lithuania. But more often than not he has not been the most productive player.

Renaldas Sebuitis along with the Lavrinovic brothers – Darjus and Ksistoff – have often stepped up to help the team’s cause. It won’t be a surprise if that happens again.

France has had a fairytale too.

The side came into the competition without Tony Parker, their most famous player, but created one of the most famous upsets in the history when they sent hosts Spain packing in the Quarter-Finals.

The sailing for the Frenchmen has not been smooth with some close shaves at the very start of the tournament.

But Vincent Collet’s team has dug deep into their reserves to find a solution to every challenge the world’s biggest basketball stage has presented.

French basketball players disappointed after loss to Serbia. Will they beat Lithuania tonight?

Boris Diaw has been an inspirational figure for France. Nicolas Batum has proven he can be explosive if need be. The late fightback against Serbia in the Semi-Finals was an example for both.

It’s only befitting that these two fantastic players give France their first podium finish at FIBA’s flagship event.

Lithuania, one of the most impressive European nations in international basketball, won’t be any less deserving.

.Culled from www.FIBA.com