national report lithuania - fans against · pdf file2 fans against violence national report...

FANS AGAINST VIOLENCE

NATIONAL REPORT

LITHUANIA

DECEMBER 2015 – KAUNAS LITHUANIA

2 Fans Against Violence

National Report – Lithuania

December 2015

This Project is funded by EU Commission in the frame of Erasmus + Sport Collaborative

Partnership Programme.

Disclaimer

The content of this report does not reflect the

official opinion of the European Union or of its

Member States. Responsibility for the information

and views expressed in the report lies entirely

with the authors.



December 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4

What is “Fans Against Violence” Project? ............................................................................................................................................... 4 Rationale For The Research ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Basketball in Lithuania .................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Women's Basketball ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Lithuanian basketball in International championships ................................................................................................................... 9

The Lithuania men's national basketball team (until 1990) .................................................................................................... 9 After the restoration of independence (from 1990) ....................................................................................................................... 9

Latest Achievements of Lithuanian National Teams ...................................................................................................................... 16

2. LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................ 18

Aggression ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 18 Theories Which Tend To Explain Aggression .................................................................................................................................... 18 Team Identification ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 References ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 23

3. HISTORY/BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 26

Violence in Basketball in Lithuania ........................................................................................................................................................ 26

4. FACT FINDING CONFERENCE ............................................................................................. 28

Part I. General Information on Fact finding conference ................................................................................................................ 28 Part II. Participants of the FFC ................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Part III. Agenda of the meeting ................................................................................................................................................................ 30 Part IV. Introduction of the Project ........................................................................................................................................................ 31 Part V. Session 1 “Definition of the Violence and realities of Lithuania” ................................................................................ 31 Part VI. Session 2 “Recommendations on improving the Project activities” ........................................................................ 35 What can be done to prevent violence? ............................................................................................................................................... 39 Other insights .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 40

5. FAN SURVEYS ............................................................................................................................ 42

Findings ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 42

6. IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS ........................................................................................................ 49

Presentation of the key findings ............................................................................................................................................................. 49 Methodology .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Findings ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 50

7. CONCLUSIONS........................................................................................................................... 53



December 2015

1. INTRODUCTION

What is “Fans Against Violence” Project?

“Fans Against Violence” is a European Commission Erasmus + Sport Programme Project that aims

to unite different fan groups under the roof of basketball and to increase the understanding,

tolerance and communication among them and is organised with the partnership of the Bulgaria,

Croatia, Spain and Lithuania Basketball Federations under the leadership of the Turkish

Basketball Federation.

The main goal of the project is to unite different fan groups under the roof of basketball and to

reduce violence by increasing the understanding and empathy between them.

Rationale For The Research

This research is very important because it constitutes one of the very first examples of such a

comprehensive study done on the subject of “violence in basketball”. This research is unique

because it uses a variety of methodologies simultaneously. We conducted fan surveys (a total of

420 fans representing 5 biggest Lithunian teams) and completed in-depth interviews (12

interviews with fan leaders and clubs representatives). In addition to these research methods, a

comprehensive literature review on the subject of “fan violence” was conducted.

Basketball in Lithuania

Basketball is the most popular sport in Lithuania. It is popular because of the victories around the

world; it has raised a large crowd of well-known athletes, coaches, referees and organizers.

Basketball was introduced in Lithuania indirectly through the European variety of Netball,

featuring a smaller ball and no boards, brought by the Germans. In 1919 Lithuanian women

athletes started organizing, and in 1920-1921 they started playing the game in public. The female

pioneerism delayed basketball's widespread popularity until the 1930s as it kept being considered

a woman's sport. In the meantime, in 1922 Karolis Dineika released the book Krepšiasvydis

vyrams (English: Basketball for men), and in 1926 pilot Steponas Darius, who would later be



December 2015

known for his transatlantic flight, published the first basketball rules in Lithuania. The first official

game was played by men. It took place on April 23, 1922 when Lietuvos Fizinio Lavinimo Sąjunga

(English: Lithuanian Physical Education Union) played a game against Kaunas team, winning 8–6.

That day is regarded as the beginning of basketball in Lithuania.

Lithuanian Basketball Federation, also known as LKF, is a national governing body of basketball

in Lithuania. It was founded in 1936, but due to Soviet occupation, the federation disappeared

from FIBA. It was reinstated in 1991 following the Independence of Lithuania. In 2011, the famous

basketball player Arvydas Sabonis was elected as the commissioner of the federation.

Lithuanian Basketball Federation – one of the largest and most influential in the country.

Federation brings together over 130 legal members, 18 thousand licensed players. 400 trainers are

working in basketball. About 100,000 Lithuanians play basketball for their own pleasure.

Lithuanian basketball federation is uniting these independent basketball leagues: premier men's

basketball league (LKL), secondary men's basketball league (NKL), region basketball league

(RKL), premier women's basketball league (LMKL), secondary women's basketball league

(NMKL), premier women's basketball A league (LMKAL), student basketball league (LSKL),

elementary student basketball league (MKL) and veteran basketball league (LKVL). Lithuanian

Association of Basketball Judges and Lithuanian Association of Basketball Coaches are at the

disposal of LKF.

After 72 years, Lithuania was again hosting the EuroBasket in 2011. Lithuanian Basketball

Federation, in preparation for the EuroBasket 2011, very successfully organized two young

basketball tournaments - the 2009 European junior (under 16 years) Championship in Kaunas and

the 2010 European Junior (under 18) Championship in Vilnius. Championship attendance record

of all times was improved in the last tournament - 13 thousand people were watching final match

between Lithuania and the Russian team in the capital in the Siemens Arena.

For preparing for the European Men's Championship modern arenas in Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai,

Panevezys and Alytus were build, and event left an indelible impression for all the participants and

guests. Numerous officials and other European basketball specialists and pundits found

EuroBasket 2011 the best European tournament ever, particularly due to the Lithuanian

enthusiasm for the sport.

Lithuania strengthened reputation further in 2012 by organizing 3 tournaments - 17-year olds, 16-

year olds and 18-year olds European championships.



December 2015

In turn, Lithuanian men's basketball team in three years (2013-2015) became the European

champion twice and ranked fourth in the World Cup (2014). This allowed the Lithuanian men's

national team to rise to third place in the FIBA world ranking and second place in Europe (after

Spain).

The biggest Lithuanian clubs:

Kaunas „Zalgiris“: 1999 Euroleague champions, 1998 European Cup winners, winners of

the transcontinental W. Jones Cup 1986.

Vilnius „Lietuvos rytas“: 2005 and 2009 European Cup winners.



December 2015

Women's Basketball

Basketball first reached Lithuania when the game was already 30 years old. The version originally

played was the German (Dutch) variant, not the North American version invented by James

Naismith. The baskets were fastened to the poles without boards, and the game was played in a

huge court. One of the Lithuanian sport pioneers, Steponas Garbačiauskas, wrote: "In 1919

Lithuanian women athletes started organizing, but they showed up publicly only in 1920–1921 and

started playing basketball." The first official women's basketball game in Lithuania took place on

September 10, 1922.

The first European women's basketball championship was organized in 1938. It was held in Rome,

Italy. The Lithuanian women's squad competed and became European vice-champions. The team's

head coach was Feliksas Kriaučiūnas, already well known for his achievements with the Lithuanian

men's basketball team. After World War II, the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and forced it to

play for the Soviet Union women's national basketball team. The best Lithuanian players, playing

for the Soviet Union national basketball team, won several titles with it. As members of Soviet

Union team, Lithuanians (men and women) in total won 17 Olympic medals (8 gold, 6 silver and 3

bronze), 17 World championship medals (11 gold, 5 silver and one bronze), and 51 EuroBasket

medals (36 gold, 4 silver and 11 bronze). The most decorated Lithuanian players during the Soviet

era were Angelė Rupšienė, who won the first two women's Olympic basketball golds in 1976 and



December 2015

1980 and also the 1971, 1975 World Championships, and Vida Beselienė, who got an Olympic gold

in 1980 and the 1983 World Championship. Other Lithuanian world champions were Jurate

Daktaraitė (1959), Larissa Vinčaitė (1971), and Chamomile Šidlauskaitė (1983).

Yet the occupation left many painful marks in Lithuania and Lithuanians' memories. Lithuania

women's national basketball team returned to FIBA games only in EuroBasket 1995 and achieved

the 5th place. The team's biggest success was achieved two years later in EuroBasket 1997 when

the national team, coached by Vydas Gedvilas, became the European champions in Budapest. It

was the first and the only European title for the Lithuanian women's basketball squad.

Year later, Lithuanians participated in the 1998 FIBA World Championship. Despite successful

European competition, Lithuanians lost the quarter-finals game to 1994's World champions,

Brazil's national team, 70–72 and had to play for fifth place. There they lost to Spain's national

team 59–70 and took only 8th place.

In EuroBasket 1999, Lithuania took 6th place and failed to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics,

held in Sydney.

In EuroBasket 2001, Lithuanians qualified for four best tournament's teams, though losing the

bronze medals game to Spain. Yet the team qualified for the 2002 FIBA World Championship,

held in China. In the World Championship, Lithuanians played eight games and won three

matches against Taiwan, Cuba and Yugoslavia.

In EuroBasket 2005, held in Turkey, Lithuanians, after losing last two games, took 4th place, but

returned to Lithuania with the voucher to the 2006 FIBA World Championship, held in Brazil. At

the third World Championship, Lithuanians lost the 5th-place game to the French national team

and took 6th place, repeating the best performance achieved back in 1998.

In EuroBasket 2007, the Lithuanians were crushed in the 5th-place game against Czech women's

national team and lost all chances of competing for the ticket to the 2008 Summer Olympics, held

in Beijing.

In EuroBasket 2009, the Lithuanian women's basketball squad suffered a fiasco, just like the

men's squad. The Lithuanian national team took 9–12 place after not reaching the knockout stage

for the first time.

In EuroBasket 2011, Lithuanians showed signs of hope again, reaching the knockout stage,

however there they were eliminated by the French national team and took 7th place. Because of

that, Lithuania lost all the possibilities to qualify into the 2012 Summer Olympics, held in London.

To this day, Lithuania women's national basketball team never participated in the Olympic Games,



December 2015

despite the several appearances in the World championships and successful European

championships. Tough times returned to the Lithuanian squad in EuroBasket 2013 where they

took only 14th place and were unable to participate in the 2014 FIBA World Championship, held in

Turkey. By far, it is the worst performance for the national team. Lithuania's women’s national

team qualified into EuroBasket 2015, but Olympic dream vanished once again.

Lithuanian basketball in International

championships

The Lithuania men's national basketball team (until 1990)

The history of basketball in Lithuania starts in 1920, but it was not popular until 1930s. In

1935 Lithuanian American basketball coaches (B.Budrikas, Juozas Knašas, Feliksas Kriaučiūnas

and Konstantinas Savickas) arrived in Kaunas as participants of World Lithuanian

Congress. Kriaučiūnas and Savickas stayed in Lithuania and started teaching basketball secrets to

Lithuanians. That same year, Lithuania applied to become a member of FIBA and take part in

international basketball competitions. In 1937 Lithuania played a game against

neighbor Latvia (one of the strongest basketball teams at the time), losing the game 29–41.

However, the performance represented a substantial improvement for Lithuanians, who had lost

to Latvians 10–123 in a previous game. Motivated by this result, Lithuania decided to accept

the Latvia Basketball Association invitation to participate in EuroBasket 1937, the

second European basketball tournament that Latvia as reigning champions would host in Riga. In

1937 Lithuanians became the champions of Europe for the first time Lithuania was granted the

right to organize the EuroBasket 1939. In addition, the Kaunas Sports Hall, Europe's first

dedicated basketball arena, was built. Lubinas, who was the designated player-coach, lead

Lithuania to a second continental title, even scoring the buzzer-beater in the final against Latvia,

which warranted a 37–36 victory.

After the restoration of independence (from 1990)

After Lithuania's independence was restored, the country wanted to stand on its own in the

basketball community again, complete with the standout players from the 1988 Soviet squad -

Sabonis, Marčiulions, Chomičius and Kurtinaitis - expressing a desire to represent Lithuania.



December 2015

The National Olympic Committee of Lithuania (LTOK) and Lithuanian Basketball

Federation (LKF) were restored, Lithuanian athletes withdrew its athletes from all Soviet national

competitions, and both Sabonis and Marčiulions refused a request to play for the Soviet Union

during the 1990 Goodwill Games. In 1991, the International Olympic Committee welcomed

Lithuania back to its ranks in September, and in December, LKF president Stanislovas Stonkus

attended the FIBA congress in Springfield, Massachusetts, and requested the right to be a full

member of FIBA once again. FIBA president George E. Killian granted Stonkus' request and

invited Lithuania to participate in all of the FIBA organized events. Sabonis and his agent started

looking for Lithuanian-born or descended players, sending phone calls and faxes over Europe and

North America.

However, Lithuania's economic transition left the country in a difficult financial situation, and

LKF could hardly count on state funding. As a result, the team had to search for the financial

supporters by themselves in order to play internationally. Šarūnas Marčiulionis had experience

and contacts in the United States for being the first USSR player in the NBA, playing for

the Golden State Warriors. Consequently, he, along with Donnie Nelson (son of Marčiulionis' then-

coach Don Nelson), searched for financial supporters that could finance Lithuania's participation

in the international games and the 1992 Summer Olympics. George Shirk wrote a story about this

on the San Francisco Chronicle, and once American rock band Grateful Dead read the newspaper,

they decided to help the team. Drummer Mickey Hart added that the story resonated with the

bandmembers for being a "a struggle for life, liberty and freedom." The bandmembers donated

$5,000 to Marčiulionis, and helped launch a tie-dyed jerseys trade that would feature Lithuania's

national colors and the band's trademark skeletons. Designer and licensor Greg Speirs drew a

jersey featuring a skullman dunking a flaming basketball, whose profits would be passed onto the

Lithuania national basketball team and a fund for Lithuanian children. The Lithuanians were

favourable to the garish shirts because, according to Nelson, it was a great contrast to "all those

years of those Soviet colors, nothing but blues and grays". Arvydas Sabonis even said that "My first

impression of [the jerseys] was: Wow, this really is a free Lithuania". The skeleton, nicknamed

"Skully", was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, being the only cartoon character to be

enshrined in any sports Hall of Fame. New versions of the Skully jerseys were featured in the

following two Olympic Games. To assume the head coach position, American Dan Peterson, then

in Italy, was invited but declined. BC Žalgiris manager Raimundas Sargunas became coach, but

problems with the players made him demoted to assistant, a job shared with Donnie Nelson and

Spanish Javier Imbroda, who was invited following Sabonis' suggestion of a Liga ACB veteran. The

eventual choice was Vladas Garastas, another Žalgiris veteran who was assistant in the 1988 Soviet



December 2015

squad. This year's team was immortalized in the documentary film "The Other Dream Team" (dir.

Marius Markevičius).

During the qualifiers for EuroBasket 1993, Lithuanian basketball had its biggest disappointment.

Missing Arvydas Sabonis but still with most of the bronze medal squad, Lithuania played in a three

team group in Wrocław, and beat hosts Poland but lost to Belarus, being eliminated by the fellow

former United Republic. It remains Lithuania's only absence following independence. However,

this fiasco encouraged the creation of the first professional basketball league in Lithuania.

In its return to the European championship following years under Soviet occupation, Lithuania

began the European tournament 1995 powerfully, with five wins in the group stage and a defeat

to Yugoslavia. They overcame the quarter-finals stage successfully as well, defeating 1994 World

Championship silver medalists Russia, leading the game from start to finish. With a guaranteed

spot in the tournament's top four, Lithuania was granted the right to participate in the 1996

Summer Olympics, held in Atlanta.

In 1996 Olympics in Atlanta quarter-final game had Lithuania crushing its third straight adversary

against Greece. The Olympic semi-final match awaited with powerhouse Yugoslavia, undefeated

that far and inspiring the Lithuanians to avenge the 1995 EuroBasket final. Lithuania lost the

game. Only the game for the second consecutive bronze remained for the Lithuanian squad,

against the Australians who sought their first Olympic medal. The game marked the last time

Sabonis and Marčiulionis played together, as the latter retired from the national team and the final

match with head coach Vladas Garastas. A generational change was to come.

A generation change affected the results of national team - men's team failed to win a serious

trophy until 2000. The 2000 Olympic tournament marked another time of renovation for

Lithuania. The only veterans, Saulius Štombergas and Eurelijus Žukauskas, were reserves in

Atlanta. The three best players of the country Arvydas Sabonis, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas and Artūras

Karnišovas could not represent national team. Jonas Kazlauskas's leading team again won the

bronze medal and in semi-final faced USA team. USA "Dream Team" managed its smallest victory

ever with 85-83.

EuroBasket 2001 ended as an unexpected failure to Lithuania. Lithuania lost all the chances of

participating in the 2002 FIBA World Championship, and was threatened to miss the next

EuroBasket as well.

https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Žydrūnas_Ilgauskas

https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artūras_Karnišovas

https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artūras_Karnišovas



December 2015

In 2003 the renewed Lithuania basketball team, led by Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Arvydas Macijauskas,

Ramūnas Šiškauskas and Saulius Štombergas won their third European title after a 64-year hiatus

in EuroBasket 2003.

Lithuania‘s start in 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens was poweful - lithuanians had

secured the first spot in the group, in the quarter-finals Lithuanians easily swept China,

successfully qualifying for the semi-finals. The familiar Italian team awaited in the semi-finals. The

Italians celebrated a victory, shattering the Lithuanian dream of Olympic gold. Seeking a fourth

bronze medal, Lithuania would again face the United States. Americans have left the Lithuanians

without Olympic medals for the first time.

EuroBasket 2005 in Serbia and Montenegro would feature many absences in the Lithuanian

squad. Starting the tournament as defending champions, Lithuania proved their favoritism by

beating Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria with solid differences and an average of 88 points. However,

the knockout rounds had the team eliminated with an underwhelming performance, scoring only

47 points in a quarterfinal with France.

The 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan had Lithuania matching the 7th place from their

1998 debut, but many saw this performance as an under-achievement. Lithuania started the

tournament with a loss to Turkey, followed by an overtime defeat to eventual finalists Greece

which had Lithuania suffering 25 turnovers. Confidence was restored with wins over Qatar,

Australia, and Brazil, that qualified Lithuania for the knockout rounds against Italy. They won the

match by 3 points. Lithuania lost the quarter final match against eventual champions Spain. The

consolation tournament began with another defeat: Lithuania lost over Turkey. Lithuania still won

the seventh place match against Germany. Sireika resigned soon after the championship.

EuroBasket 2007 in Spain held big responsibilities for Lithuania that had to prove the failure in

the previous continental tournament passed, while holding higher stakes for Olympic qualifying,

restricted to only the medalists. Lithuania completed seven straight victories en route to the

semifinal. Russia was awaiting at the semi-finals. The Lithuanians, who had yet to defeat the

Russians, failed to accomplish this again. The upcoming game had two prizes at stake, the

European bronze - which Lithuania had never won, only three golds and two silvers - and the last

direct spot for the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing. Lithuania managed to beat the Greeks

78–69.



December 2015

The 2008 Olympic tournament started with a tough opponent, defending gold medalists

Argentina. A decisive play by Linas Kleiza gave the lead and the victory for Lithuanians 79–75.

Difficult victories over Russia (86-79, Lithuania's first FIBA victory over them) and Croatia (86–

73) gave Lithuania a guaranteed first place spot in the group. Thus the team barely cared in the

round 1 closer with Australia, suffering 25 turnovers and being smashed 75–106. The deadly

quarter-final had Lithuania against hosts China; the Balts crushed those 94–68 to advance into the

semi-finals. Spain wins the semifinal (86-91). Lithuania was for the fifth consecutive time at the

Olympic bronze match, hoping to get their fourth medals against former Olympic champions

Argentina. Lithuania has lost another third place game, 75–87. Still, five Olympic semifinals

proved the Lithuanians were still one of the strongest basketball teams worldwide despite its small

size.

Before EuroBasket 2009 in Spain, Lithuanian stars like Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Ramūnas

Šiškauskas, Darius Songaila, Arvydas Macijauskas, Rimantas Kaukėnas and Žydrūnas Ilgauskas

decided not to join the national team. After huge losses in the team roster and point guard

shortage, Lithuania started the tournament with a loss to Turkey (76–84). Later Lithuanians

disappointingly lost to Poland, and depended on a strong fourth quarter to beat Bulgaria.

Finishing third in its group, Lithuania qualified for the second round. However, it already begun

badly with a 23-point loss to Slovenia. The team's game still not improved, with a defeat to Spain

(70–84) diminishing the Lithuanians' chances to qualify for the quarter-finals, and a loss to Serbia

was eliminating the team outright, with the final standing being a measly 12th place. Coach

Ramūnas Butautas took all responsibility for the fiasco and resigned. It is regarded as the worst

Lithuania national team performance ever.

On 12 December 2009, Lithuania was granted a wild card to participate in the World

Championship in Turkey the following year. Lithuania started the World Championship 2010 by

winnng agains New Zealand, Canada, Spain, France and Lebanon. After sweeping China (78–67)

in the eighth finals and crushing Argentina in a blowout game (104–85) in the quarterfinals,

Lithuania lost to Team USA by 15 points. They captured the bronze medal after winning against

Eurobasket's silver medalist Serbia 99–88. This was Lithuania's best World Championship result.

After 72 years, Lithuania was again hosting the EuroBasket in 2011. The national team was under

much pressure given both the expectations as hosts and the outstanding performance at the World

Championship the year before. The team tried to combine future prospects and the past stars, but

during the leading months, lost two of its starting players, Linas Kleiza and Jonas Mačiulis, due to



December 2015

knee injuries. Numerous officials and other European basketball specialists and pundits found

EuroBasket 2011 the best European tournament ever, particularly due to the Lithuanian

enthusiasm for the sport. However, the Lithuanian team wound up underperforming, suffering an

upset in the quarterfinals to Macedonia. The consolation playoffs led to a final standing of fifth

place, giving Lithuania a spot at the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men.

Twenty years later, Lithuania had to go through a dedicated Olympic qualifier, held on July 2012

in Caracas, Venezuela. The top three teams would get spots at the 2012 Olympics basketball

tournament. The team started off the tournament with a convincing victory against Venezuela,

followed by an upset to Nigeria the following day. With all three teams tied with one win and one

loss, Venezuela wound up disqualified due to a lesser point difference. Afterwards, many incidents

regarding the Lithuanian squad were rumored to be caused by disgruntled Venezuelans. These

included a tank column near the training hall polluting the air during the Lithuanian team

workout, a broken bus during the trip to the arena before the quarter-final game against Puerto

Rico and vanished jerseys and water during said match. Despite all that, Lithuania managed to

defeat Puerto Rico in a dramatic game. In the semifinals, Lithuania crushed the Dominican

Republic and thus qualified for the 2012 London Olympics.

After dominating in the Qualifying Tournament, Lithuania had a tough time at the Olympics. The

first game against Argentina turned into a fiasco. Thus, Lithuania had the final spot in the

quarterfinals, facing the other group's leader, Russia. While the Russians never left the lead,

Lithuania always kept it close, and by the fourth quarter was just one point behind. Still their

attempts for an upset fell short, and ended up losing 74–83, making it the first time Lithuania

missed the Olympic semifinal. On 1 October, the Lithuanian Basketball Federation brought Jonas

Kazlauskas back after 12 years to replace Kęstutis Kemzūra.

At Eurobasket 2013 in Slovenia Lithuania played their first game against Serbia. Unable to defend

Serbian star Nenad Krstić, who dominated the game with 20 points and 9 rebounds, Lithuania lost

63–56. The final was a rematch with France. Lithuanians only fought point-to-point in the first

quarter. By the third, France finished the quarter with a 14-0 run that kept Lithuania scoreless for

four minutes. Eventually the Lithuanians suffered a 66–80 defeat. Despite the deep run, some

players said that it was hard to celebrate after losing the final. Still, on 23 September 2013,

thousands of Lithuanians came to the Rotušės (Town Hall) square to celebrate the Lithuania

national team success.



December 2015

After becoming European vice-champions in 2013, Lithuanians automatically qualified into the

2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. During the bronze medal game Lithuania faced France,

just 2 years removed from the EuroBasket defeat. A terrific battle finished with France victory 95-

93. Despite not winning any medals, the team was received by thousands of Lithuanians at

Rotušės square who wanted to thank the national team for their efforts. According to research,

over 2,223 million people observed the national team games live in Lithuania, which is over 76% of

the country's population.

Eurobasket 2015 Lithuania began in Riga, on September 5. The Lithuanians were considered

underdogs of the match due to the Serbians being undefeated that far while the Balts struggled in

all games. Still, Lithuania led for most of the time, at times with advantages of 11 points, and while

the Serbians scored 21 points in the final quarter, clinched the semifinal with a 67–64 score,

advancing into their second straight EuroBasket final. Furthermore, the victory also automatically

put the Lithuania men's national team to the 2016 Summer Olympics, their seventh consecutive

Olympics and making Lithuania the only European squad in all Olympics since 1992. The final was

not good for Lithuanians, Spain hitting with stunning accuracy right from the 19-8 first quarter.

The Lithuanian squad tried to reduce the deficit multiple times, but the Spanish kept the lead at all

times for an 80–63 win.



December 2015

Latest Achievements of Lithuanian National

Teams

Year Event, Place Position

MEN 1937 Eurobasket, Latvia Gold medal

1939 Eurobasket, Lithuania Gold medal

1992 Olympic Games, Spain Bronze medal

1995 Eurobasket, Greece Silver medal

1996 Olympic Games, United States Bronze medal

2000 Olympic Games, Australia Bronze medal

2003 Eurobasket, Sweden Gold medal

2007 Eurobasket, Spain Bronze medal

2010 World Cup, Turkey Bronze medal

2013 Eurobasket, Slovenia Silver medal

2015 Eurobasket, France Silver medal

YOUTH MEN

1994 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, Israel Gold medal

1996 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, Turkey Gold medal

2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, Greece Silver medal

2004 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, Czech Republic Bronze medal

2005 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, Russia Silver medal

2005 FIBA Under-21 World Championship, Argentina Gold medal

2006 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, Greece Silver medal

2007 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, Greece Bronze medal

2008 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, Latvia Silver medal

2008 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, Greece Silver medal

2008 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, Italy Gold medal

2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, Lithuania Silver medal

2010 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, Montenegro Silver medal

2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, Lithuania Gold medal

2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, Latvia Gold medal



December 2015

2012 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, Slovenia Gold medal


2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, Czech Republic Bronze medal


2015 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, Greece Bronze medal

WOMEN

1938 Eurobasket, Italy Silver medal

1997 Eurobasket, Hungary Gold medal

YOUTH WOMEN

2006 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship for Women, Slovakia Bronze medal

2008 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship for Women, Slovakia Gold medal

2012 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship for Women, Dvivision B,

Estonia

Gold medal



December 2015

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Section 2 covers literature review on fans’/spectators’ violent behaviours.

Aggression

Aggression is a negative personality trait that has been associated with sport participation.

“Aggression is operationally defined as an intentional physically or psychologically harmful

behaviour that is directed at another living organism” (Thirer, 1993, pp.365).

The aggressive actions of sport spectators can be classified as either hostile or instrumental

(Bredemeier, 1994; Silva, 1980; Wann, 1997). The main motivation of the hostile type of spectator

aggression is anger with the aim of harming another person. For instance, sometimes fans throw

objects onto players and officials because they are angry at them and want to physically or

psychologically harm them. On the other hand, instrumental spectator aggression refers to violent

actions which are intended to harm another person, but with the goal of achieving a purpose. In

other words, compared to hostile aggression, in instrumental aggression the spectator’s main goal

might be to take advantage of their aggressive behaviours in order to affect the officials or players

decision (Keeler, 2007). For example, fans may yell at officials and opposing players to influence

their concentration and increase their team's chances of success. The objective of the study is to

identify the differences between hostile and instrumental aggression in terms of fans’ level of

identification.

Theories Which Tend To Explain Aggression

In sport and social sciences literature, aggression has been studied on many levels including

behaviour within the context of sport and within daily life. One of the well known theories which

explain aggression is the Revised Frustration-Aggression Theory (Berkowitz, 1982). This theory

consists of aspects from Bandura's (1973) Social Learning Theory and Smith's (1972) Frustration

and Aggression Theory.



December 2015

Berkowitz (1982) proposed that when organisms react in an aggressive way they face aversive

stimulation. However, not all frustrations are aversive, and thus frustration does not always lead to

aggression. Berkowitz also argued that when the organism faces an unpleasant situation, it pushes

the organism to a drive to hurt somebody, which helps the organism to gain satisfaction and

reinforcement from damaging the source of the aversive stimulation. Aversive stimuli are

associated with a readiness to flee or to fight in organisms. According to Berkowitz (1981), “all

aversive events, whether frustration, deprivations, noxious stimuli or environmental stresses,

produce an instigation to aggression as well as a desire to escape or avoid the unpleasant situation”

(pp. 174).

An individual’s learning history influences the tendency in terms of domination. Compared to an

experienced individual, in the inexperienced organism, the dominant tendency is to fight.

Berkowitz (1981) stated that “the aggressive tendencies may be oriented partly toward the

termination or reduction of the aversive stimulus, but at the human level, they are also directed

toward doing injury. That is, those who are in physical or mental pain are inclined to hurt someone

even though their aggression cannot lessen their own suffering, and even if the victim is not the

source of their suffering” (pp.174). Berkowitz (1988) redefined frustration in his theory as “the

nonfulfillment of an expected gratification” (pp. 3). Frustration may be related to positive or

negative responses, depending on how the frustration is experienced by individual.

When we compare the effects of arbitrary and non-arbitrary frustration on aggressive behaviour,

Berkowitz (1988) proposed that, arbitrary frustration is more unexpected than non-arbitrary

frustration. According to him, arbitrary frustration is more aversive than non-arbitrary frustration

because unfulfilled expectations are aversive. In addition to this, the justification which

accompanies non-arbitrary frustration restrains aggressive behaviour. The aggression which

follows the arbitrary frustration is attributable to legitimate frustration. Besides, the aggression

which is added to the aversiveness is also related to the arbitrary frustration. Furthermore,

Berkowitz (1988) claimed that legitimate frustration can also lead people to aggressive act.

Besides, legitimate frustration can be experienced as an aversive by an individual. Human beings

avoid frustrations because frustrations are usually unpleasant.

In his theory, Berkowitz (1988) pays attention to the factors associated with the strength of

frustration, like the value of the goal and the degree of interference for the individual. He

underlined this capacity because Berkowitz argued that these factors influence the level of

aversiveness experienced by the individual. Besides, Berkowitz’s (1993) main focus of attention

was on reactive aggression. He agreed that many acts of aggression can be identified as learned



December 2015

instrumental behaviour. For example; football fans may learn that aggressive behaviours in

stadiums can help them attain their interpersonal objectives, and so they may come to rely on such

techniques. In Berkowitz’s (1989) point of view, reactive aggression mostly goes along with the

instrumental type of aggression. In addition, according to revised frustration-aggression theory, a

person gains some pleasure by hurting the victim. Over time, when the person gains experience,

his reactions are mostly directed by the environmental cues. Firstly, aversive stimulation

reinforces aggressive drive. However, absence of an appropriate environmental cue, the desire to

hurt somebody will not automatically transform into aggressive behaviour for a mature individual.

Being aggressive and defending your team by using violence is valued by football fans in many

countries. Many research results showed that, spectators rapidly learn that displaying aggressive

behaviour is a way to gain individual recognition in their group. Moreover, a lot of fan groups

accept and reinforce these aggressive acts (Spaaij, 2007). Social learning theory has been accepted

by lots of empirical studies (Thirer, 1993), and it underlines the influence of an individual’s

environment and significant others on the development or control of aggressive behaviours.

According to social learning theory, modelling and reinforcement are the two key aspects in terms

of learning aggressive behaviour.

Social identity theory proposes that an individual's self-concept consists of a personal identity that

includes specific attributes, like personal interests, abilities and a social identity which includes

various social categories, such as fan, parent, student or worker (Tajfel & Turner, 1986; Turner,

1982). Social classifications allow a person to locate and define others within the social

environment as well as locate and define himself/herself within the social system. In sport, social

identification occurs when one perceives a sense of oneness or belongingness to a team, thereby

defining him/herself in terms of that group (Hogg, Terry, & White, 1995).

Social identity theory is adaptable for identifying and understanding aggressive spectator

behaviour for many reasons. Firstly, sport spectator behaviour involves interpersonal and group

relationships and in general it is socially observable. Secondly, it often revolves around the

differentiations which exist between opposing groups, and it is heavily influenced by the level of

fan identification with his/her team. According to Puddifoot (1997), a given social identity like

fatherhood, or an individual's knowledge that he or she is a member of a particular social group

such as being a fan of a sport team, becomes appealing to an individual when identification with

that group will lead to self-enhancement or positive-self identity.



December 2015

When an individual classifies himself/herself as a fan of a specific team, an individual may likely

partake in behaviours such as following the game schedule, discussing game results with other

fans, and purchasing team memorabilia (Holt, 1995). These classifying practices build affiliation

(i.e., shows we are part of a specific team group), and build distinction (i.e., shows we are not part

of the rival team group) (Holt, 1995).

Wann’s (1993) self-esteem maintenance hypothesis also addresses the relationship between sport

fan identification and spectator violence. Wann argued that highly identified fans are less able to

protect their self-esteem by distancing themselves from the team after failure, but are more likely

to repair their identities by acting in a negative or hostile manner against players or fans of the

opposing team. Wann focused on this process, called ‘blasting’ which has been underlined from

social identity theory. According to social identitiy theory, individuals have a basic need to see

themselves in a positive light in relation to significant others (Hogg et al., 1995). Being aggressive

is a good example of one such social creativity strategy. According to researchers, by acting

aggressively toward rival groups, people maintain the perception that they are ‘better fans’ than

others, which subsequently leads to increases in self-esteem (Oakes & Turner, 1980;Wann, 1993).

Furthermore, most of the studies showed that fan identification is not related to trait aggression

(e.g., Wann, Fahl, Erdmann, & Littleton, 1999; Wann, Peterson, Cothran, & Dykes, 1999; Wann,

Shelton, Smith, & Walker, 2002), study results showed that fan identification affects fan’s

instrumental aggression more (Wann, Carlson, & Schrader, 1999; Wann, Peterson, et al., 1999).

Therefore, high-identified spectators may hold more positive attitudes towards fan aggression

because it offers them an opportunity for identity reparation following their team’s losses.

The need for positive distinctiveness may also affect perceptions of behavioural control in

stadiums. “Team failure undermines the need for positive distinctiveness, and although social

creativity mechanisms allow identity reparation, highly identified fans may become frustrated by

team failure and lose a sense of behavioural control as a result” (Dimmock & Grove, 2005 pp. 39).

Research results shows that high-identified fans experience greater levels of arousal and anxiety

while watching their team compete (Wann, Schrader, & Adamson, 1998) probably because their

identity and evaluation of self is on trial. Participative norms on aggression are likely to be related

due to the ‘false consensus effect.’ The false consensus effect refers to the tendency of people “to

see their own behavioural choices and judgements as relatively common and appropriate to

existing circumstances while viewing alternate responses as uncommon, deviant, or inappropriate”

(Ross, Greene, & House, 1977, pp.280). Russell (1995) showed strong evidence for the existence of

the false consensus effect in sport. Russell discovered that fact that fans with motives for attending



December 2015

a hockey game because they “liked to watch the fights” also believed that other fans attended the

game for the same reason.

Team Identification

Team identification is defined as the extent to which a fan feels psychologically connected to a

team (Wann, 1997). Recent studies have shown that high identified fans are more likely to act

aggressively compared to fans that have low levels of identification (Branscombe & Wann, 1992a,

1994), and research has begun to include this variable in models of fan violence (e.g., Branscombe

& Wann, 1992b; Simons & Taylor, 1992; Wann, 1993). Wann & Branscombe (1992) hypothesized

in their research that highly identified fans would report higher levels of both hostile and

instrumental aggression than low identification fans. According to their study, researchers found

that aggression directed toward the officials was more likely to be hostile (M = 2.86, SD = 2.16)

than instrumental (M = 2.22, SD = 1.88).

Mostly, high identified fans feel an emotional ownership in the team and make sacrifices like

devoting a considerable amount of time following the team (Sutton, McDonald, Milne, &

Cimperman, 1997). Furthermore, high identified spectators often leads to commitment beyond

that found in fair weather fans (Quick, 2000).

According to Wann & Branscombe (1993), highly identified fans should be particularly likely to

display hostile aggression for two reasons. First, for the fan that identifies him/herself highly with

his/her team, the role of team follower is a central and one of the most important components of

his/her the social identity. Therefore, the highly identified fans’ sense of self-worth is highly

related to their team’s performance (Tajfel, 1981; Tajfel & Turner, 1979; Wann, Royalty, & Roberts,

1999). In Wann, Royalty, & Roberts’ study (1999), participants were 73 university students. The

participants were asked to complete a questionnaire packet containing four sections. There were

three hypotheses tested in their research: that highly identified participants would be more likely

to present themselves as a fan of their team than low identified participants. Study results showed

that, both level of team identification and level of self-esteem were related to an individual’s

decision to strategically self-present his or herself as a fan of a specific team to a fan of a rival team.

However, self-esteem did not impact one’s decision of whether or not to present oneself as a fan of

a particular team. Identification and self-esteem accounted for 44.78% of the variability.

According to Wann & Branscombe (1993), there are also two main reasons why highly identified



December 2015

fans should display high levels of instrumental aggression. (Wann, Carlson, Schrader, 1999)

Firstly, for the high identified spectators, fan identification is central to their identity. It is for this

reason that, for the most part, highly identified fans receive the greatest benefits from their team's

successes. According to a considerable number of studies, fans who have a high level of

identification report high levels of positive influence and self-esteem after watching their team win

(Cialdini et al., 1976; Hirt et al., 1992; Wann et al., 1994). Secondly, according to their studies,

scientists have found that highly identified persons are more likely to attempt to affect the result of

sporting events (Wann et al., 1994), and these attempts mostly include instrumental aggression

(Wann, Peterson, Cothran, & Dykes, 1999). According to Wann et. al.’s (1999) study, spectators

were asked to state the extent to which they had acted verbally aggressive toward the officials and

opposition for hostile and instrumental reasons. Researchers applied pre- and post-game

questionnaires to 196 college students. Researchers used Sport Spectator Identification Scale

(Wann and Branscombe, 1993) before the game and Hostile and Instrumental Aggression of

Spectators Questionnaire (Wann et al.,1999) after the game. Participants reported higher levels of

hostile aggression compared to instrumental aggression. Researchers found that aggression that is

directed to the officials was more likely to be hostile aggression than instrumental, whereas

aggression that is directed toward the opposition was equal in the way of being hostile and

instrumental. (Wann et al., 1999).

References

Berkowitz, L. (1982). Aversive conditions as stimuli to aggression. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances

in experimental social psychology: Vol. 15 (pp. 249-288). New York: Academic Press.

Berkowitz, L. (1988). Frustrations, appraisals, and aversively stimulated aggression. Aggressive

Behavior, 14, 3-11.

Berkowitz, L. (1989). Frustration aggression hypothesis: Examination and reformation.

Psychological Bulletin, 106, 59-73.

Berkowitz, L.(1993). Aggression: Its causes, consequences, and control. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Branscombe, N. R., & Wann, D.L.(1992b). Role of identification with a group, arousal,

categorization processes, and self-esteem in sports spectator aggression. Human Relations, 45,

1013-1033.

Bredemeier, B. J. (1994). Children's moral reasoning and their assertive, aggressive, and

submissive tendencies in sport and daily life. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 16,1-14.



December 2015

Hogg, M. A., Terry, D.J., & White, K.M. (1995). A tale of two theories: A critical comparison of

identity theory with social identity theory. Social Psychology Quarterly, 58, 255-269.

Holt, D. B. (1995). How consumers consume: A typology of consumption practices. Journal of

Consumer Research, 22, 1-16.

Keeler, A., L. (2007). The Differences in Sport Aggression, Life Aggression, and Life Assertion

Among Adult Male and Female Collision, Contact, and Non-Contact Sport Athletes. Journal of

Sport Behaviour, 30, 1.

Oakes, P. J., & Tumer, J,C. (1980). Social categorization and intergroup behavior: Does minimal

intergroup discrimination make social identity more positive? European Journal of Social

Psychology, 10, 295-301.

Puddifoot, J. E. (1997). Psychological reaction to perceived erasure of community boundaries.

Journal of Social Psychology, 137, 343–355.

Ross, L., Greene, D., & House, P. (1977). The “false consensus effect”: An egocentric bias in social

perception and attribution processes. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 13, 279–301.

Russell, G. W. (1995). Personalities in the crowd: Those who would escalate a sports riot.

Aggressive Behavior, 21, 91–100.

Silva, J. M.III (1980). Assertive and aggressive behaviour in sport: A definitional clarification.

Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Simons, Y., & Taylor, J. (1992). A psychosocial model of fan violence in sports. International

Journal of Sport Psychology, 23, 207-226.

Smith, M. D. (1972). Aggression and the female athlete. In D.V. Harris (Ed.), Women and sport: A

national research conference (pp. 91 -114). University Park, PA: Penn State University.

Spaaij, R., (2007). Football Hooliganism in the Netherlands: Patterns of Continuity and Change.

Soccer & Society, 8, 316-334.

Sutton, W. A., McDonald, M. A. Milne, G. R., & Cimperman, A. J. (1997). Creating and fostering

fan identification in professional sport. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 6, 15-29.

Tajfel, H. & Turner, J.C. (1986). The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In S. Worchel &

W. Austin (Eds.), Psychology of Intergroup Relations (pp. 7-24). Chicago: Nelson Hall.

Thirer, J. (1993). Aggression. In R.N. Singer, M. Murphey, & L.K. Tennant (Eds.), Handbook of

research on sport psychology (pp. 365-378). New York: MacMillian Publishing Company.

Wann, D. L, Schrader, M.P., & Adamson, D.R.(1998). The cognitive and somatic anxiety of sport



December 2015

spectators. Journal of Sport Behaviour, 21, 322-337.

Wann, D. L., Branscombe, N. R. (1993). Sports fans: Measuring degree of identification with their

team. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 24, 1-17.

Wann, D. L., Branscombe, N.R. (1992). Emotional responses to the sports page. Journal of Sport

and Sociai Issues, 16, 49-64.

Wann, D. L., Carlson D. J., Schrader P. M. (1999). The Impact of Team Identification on the

Hostile and Instrumental Verbal Aggression of Sport Spectators. Journal of Social Behaviour and

Personality, 14, 279-286.

Wann, D. L., Fahl, C.L., Erdmann, J.B., & Littleton, J.D. (1999). Relationship between

identification with the role of sport fan and trait aggression. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 88,1296-

1298.

Wann, D. L., Peterson, R.R., Cothran, C, & Dykes, M.(1999). Sport fan aggression and anonymity:

The importance of team identification. Social Behaviour and Personality, 27, 597-602.

Wann, D. L., Shelton, S., Smith, T., & Walker, R. (2002). Relationship between team identification

and trait aggression: A replication. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 94, 595–598.

Wann, D. L.(1993). Aggression among highly identified spectators as a function of their need to

maintain positive social identity. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, 17, 134-143.

Wann, D. L.(1997). Sport psychology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.



December 2015

3. HISTORY/BACKGROUND

Violence in Basketball in Lithuania

Basketball match between “Zalgiris” Kaunas and "Lietuvos rytas" Vilnius (2007-03-

03, Kaunas)

SEB Baltic Basketball League (BBL) championship leaders duel between “Zalgiris” and “Lietuvos

rytas” was terminated after 38 minutes and 8 seconds because of rowdy fans behaviour. Kaunas

team included technical defeat, and Vilnius’ team 87:72 celebrated the victory. The scoreboard

showed the result, when beer cans started to fly to the playing ground.


25, Tartu)

Estonian police tried to tame one after the other emerging fights between violent fans of “Zalgiris”

Kaunas and "Lietuvos rytas" Vilnius, but it was difficult for them.

Four „Zalgiris“fans were arrested by Estonian police in Tartu centre after few fights splashed by

blood. Riots took place near Tartu University Sports Arena, neighbouring shops and parks.

The last incident occurred in front of the supermarket. Few fans of „Lietuvos rytas“ were attacked

by the group of ten people wearing attributes of „Zalgiris“ team.

Three buses full of fans from Vilnius and another three from Kaunas came to Tartu. Buses were

parked on different sides; they were surrounded by police officers.

Basketball match between “Siauliai” Siauliai and "Lietuvos rytas" Vilnius (2012-01-

27, Siauliai)

Both teams came to blows fans before the start of the third quarter. Several residents of Vilnius

tried to come close to „Siauliai“fans tribune, but they have faced the encounters on the way.

Security guards tried to stop the fans, but one fan of „Lietuvos rytas“attained kicks from feet to

head. The blood could be seen on the faces of fans.

Basketball match between „Zalgiris" Kaunas and „Lokimotiv“ Krasnodar (2013-09-

10, Klaipeda)

At the time the final was played between Zalgiris and Krasnodar Lokomotiv-Kuban the fan of

Vilnius „Lietuvos rytas“ have stole the flag hanging in tribune. This incident was not missed by



December 2015

Kaunas „Zalgiris“ fans, so they decided to resolve the matter with fists. It is stated that the downer

was planned in advance. Klaipeda „Neptunas“fans helped for „Lietuvos rytas“fans.


22, Vilnius)

Before the match both teams fans let their fists into work at least a few times. Hooligans were

attacking each other despite the going cars or passers-by. At least several kicked boys of young age

were left lying on the ground after encounters of two fan groups.

Basketball match between “Zalgiris” Kaunas and „Neptunas“ Klaipeda (2014-03-30,

Panevezys)

An old rift between fans came up on Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LBF) Cup Final Four

tournament in Panevezys. On Sunday the most active fans were fighting between each other during

the match for third place between Kaunas „Zalgiris“ and Klaipeda „Neptunas“. Several dozen fans

of „Zalgiris“ and fans of Klaipeda together with fans of Vilnius „Lietuvos rytas“ tried to turn the

tribunes of arena into the field of battle.

Basketball match between “Juventus” Utena and "Lietuvos rytas" Vilnius (2015-04-

16, Utena)

During the break of the match the fight broke out between the fans of „Lietuvos rytas“ and

„Juventus“ in the arena. Police officers have stopped it. Even after that one young man was hit in

the head by flying tin. One fan of „Juventus“ who have seen the event with his own eyes shared the

video of accident on Facebook. „Juventus“ have lost the game honourably.



December 2015

4. FACT FINDING CONFERENCE

Part I. General Information on Fact finding

conference

Date: 23rd of November, 2015

Venue: Kaunas/ Lithuania

Participants: According to the attached attendance sheet

Moderator: Tomas Rimkus, Sports and Events director of Lithuanian Basketball Federation

Reporters: Karolis Stirbys & Miglė Jaskūnienė, FAV project managers in Lithuania

The Fact Finding Conference (FFC) was organized to analyze the current situation of fan violence

in the country, to collect recommendations and proposals for the best organization of the project

activities and to create an innovative approach to involve fans into the process. Many good ideas,

useful information, suggestions for improvement of the Project were made at discussion. In

conference participated more than 20 representatives from different basketball fields, such as

directors and managers from main Basketball Clubs, Sports Media, National Basketball League,

Lithuanian Basketball Federation, basketball player, academicians of Lithuanian Sports

University, Civil Society organization, referees, coaches, policemen, arena managers and

operators, public/private security units. Main topics of the conference were:

1. Definition of fan violence;

2. Main reasons of violence amongst the fans;

3. Cooperation between stakeholders in prevention of violence;



December 2015

Part II. Participants of the FFC

Eimantas Skersis Basketball Club "Utenos Juventus", Director

Julius Sarapinas Basketball Club "Vilniaus Lietuvos rytas", marketing manager

Viktoras Usovas Basketball Club "Klaipėdos Neptūnas", Director of

communications

Mindaugas Špokas Lithuanian Basketball Federation, general secretary

Gintaras Jankauskas "Žalgirio arena", manager and operator

Vladas Garastas Coach

Antanas

Stankevičius

Police

Kęstutis Rimkus Sports media "Lietuvos rytas"

Rasa Liniūnienė National Basketball League

Virginijus Petraitis Police

Akvilė Dagilytė Basketball Club "Kauno Žalgiris", Director of communications



December 2015

Irena Valantinė Lithuanian sports university, academician

Rytis Sabas Referee

Andrius Jonaitis Security service company "Argus", director

Artūras Jonaitis Security service company "Argus"

Tomas Rimkus Lithuanian Basketball Federation, Events and Sports Director

Gytis Šileris Lithuanian Basketball Federation

Rasa Mikaitytė Lithuanian Basketball Federation

Gintarė Gražienė Lithuanian Basketball Federation

Ingrida

Grigaliūnaitė

Lithuanian Basketball Federation

Karolis Pupinis Basketball player

Miglė Jaskūnienė Association of active people "Activists"

Karolis Stirbys Project manager

Part III. Agenda of the meeting

12.45 - 13.00 : Registrations to the Conference

13.00 – 13.15 : Opening - Introduction of the Project and reached results

13.15 – 13.30 : Introduction of the Participants

13.30 – 15.00 : Session 1 “Definition of the Violence and realities of Lithuania”

1st Question : How you would define “Fan Violence in Lithuania? (30 min)

2nd Question : What are the main reasons of having Fan incidents? (30 min)

3rd Question : How would you evaluate the dialogue between the stakeholders working against

violence in the field of Basketball (30 min)

15.00 – 15.30 Coffee break and open discussion

15.30 – 17.00- Session 2 “Recommendations on improving the Project activities”

1st Questions : What are the strengths and weaknesses of the project activities? (Common

tribunes, fan mobilities etc.)

2nd Question : How do you think the Fan Platforms must be designed ? (who , when, where, how

often etc. )

3rd Question : What are your suggestions to develop the project? What / How can you contribute

in the Project at personal and Organizational level?



December 2015

Part IV. Introduction of the Project

At the beginning of the conference Tomas Rimkus, Sports and Events director of Lithuanian

Basketball Federation informed the participants about the aim and course of FAV project and the

conference. Afterwards, participants shortly presented themselves and Tomas Rimkus made a

detailed presentation explaining the main aims of FAV project.

Part V. Session 1 “Definition of the Violence and

realities of Lithuania”

Session has been organized as an open round table discussion. Moderator was asking the

questions in a row. Participants shared their experience and knowledge for each question and

expressed their opinions. After answers were open discussions. The highlights of the discussions

were reported by project manager.



December 2015

1st Question: How would you define “Fan Violence in Lithuania”

Fan‘s violence problem is increasing in Lithuania, because fans are not being

punished. It is just the matter of time, when it will lead to victims. Visually, this

question seems smaller than it really is.

According the data of Kaunas Police, 16 infringers of Administrative Code were

registered in 2014 in Kaunas city, most of them were fans. In 2015 11 persons were

arrested, 4 of them for administrative breach, 7 of them for hooliganism according The

Criminal Code.

The violence of basketball fans is not so significant comparing to other sports. The

trend is likely to worsen if the actions will not be taken.

In Lithuania basketball fans usually do not unite to other sport fans.

The majority of fans come to watch basketball, but the other part, usually young

people, come to disport, search for cavil and a fight. Some fans are just street

hooligans.

Lithuanian fans want resemble the foreign fans that are burning different stuff in

arenas, organizing the attacks and etc. Sometimes fans are conflicting with people in

the street, who are not fans.

In rare cases, after the match fans show respect for each other by clapping their hands.



December 2015

Social phenomenon connected to aggressive actions caused of provocation;

Verbal or physical aggression which is purposeful and spontaneous (menacing,

insulting, throwing of objects, fighting). The target of the violence could be fans,

players, coaches, referees even the police.

2nd Question : What are the main reasons of having Fan incidents?

Old rooted problems and conflicts between different urban populations.

Conflicts are caused by old piques and deep-rooted stereotypes.

People react very badly to offensive words, chants, and then it causes the conflict.

Alcohol - one of the main reasons.

Impunity and lack of sanctions are the main reason why the violence is not decreasing.

Home team is responsible for security, but both teams should be responsible for it.

Fans have the possibility of violence, because the initial steps and initiatives are

skipped through the eyes. The legal regulations should be improved.

Fan action provoked by other fans.

The wish to resemble the foreign fans

Poor relationships between people. Conflicts are caused by people who are aggressive,

who want to discharge after long working day.

There is a small group of fans, hooligans who just do not want to be friends with others

in fan clubs. Their main purpose is to cavil and raise conflicts.

The system of values, education and family environment of some fans;

Disagreement with some referees calls because of poor basketball rules knowledge of

the fans. Not knowing the rules leads to wrong interpretation of the situation and

unlocks fan’s aggression;

The intentional behaviour of the coaches and players to provoke the crowd;

Inherited fan’s memory against some players and coaches from the past which are

source of intolerance;

The behaviour of some aggressive parents during youth competitions;

The lack of security during the competitions;

The lack of organisation in the fan clubs and lack of stewards.



December 2015

3rd Question : How would you evaluate the dialogue between the stakeholders

working against violence in the field of Basketball?

Some teams are in good relationship with management and security of arena, also with

police officers.

There is a responsible for security person in basketball club.

The dialog between basketball team and fans is going constructively. There is no lot of

fans in Lithuania, the then magnitude is not high.

No meetings with fans, team leaders and Lithuanian basketball federation organized

yet.

Some clubs have good marketing and communication system with their fans. Some

clubs build their loyal, adequate fan base. Other clubs should learn form others.



December 2015

Part VI. Session 2 “Recommendations on

improving the Project activities”

Session has been organized as an open round table discussion. Moderator was asking the

questions in a row. Participants shared their experience and knowledge for each question and

expressed their opinions. After answers were open discussions. The highlights of the discussions

were reported by project manager.

1st Question: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the project activities?

The weakness of the project - the possible rejection. Team leaders think, that it will be

difficult for long-standing enemies to sit at one table and discuss. Most of fans even do

not see and do not understand the problem, they think that it is normal, that is why

they may do not see the purpose of participating.

Some of fan club leaders do not want to unite all fans and make them „brothers“. The

main aim is to increase the number of fans in fan club.

Basketball national team fans are a role model – they hug each other, they are wearing

the same tri-colour t-shirt just the different scarf of the club.

The biggest risk is the selection of the participants - if the participants are not real fans



December 2015

or the eventual disappointment of the active fans of the respective fan club which have

not been selected to travel.

To introduce the competition for Most Valuable Fan with regards to FAV project

through the social media;

Club should choose the respective number of fans;

Fan leaders can choose the respective number of fans.

2nd Question: How do you think the Fan Platforms must be designed ?

Fans currently do not see a problem. The communication with fans needs to be

friendly; the ideas of breaking down the existing ‚traditions‘should not be imposed.

The actions should be measured; fans should draw the right lessons by themselves.

Maybe the motivation of a common flag of Lithuania of all Lithuanian fans could work.

In Fan platform and during the basketball match fans should compete in accordance

with the code of honour created by themselves. Coaches and judges should be involved

to this process.

A strong motivation for fans to participate in fan platform - meeting with foreign fans,

sharing of experiences.



December 2015

Players should participate in the meetings, even more appreciated would be also

players of the visiting teams to take part;

Meetings can be organized on the day of some game in the same city. Fans of the

visiting team could participate as well.

3rd Question: What are your suggestions to develop the project? What / How can

you contribute in the Project at personal and Organizational level?

Clubs should maintain a good relationship in their management level, should share the

information with all employees and security guards of the club, also with other clubs.

There are no women's basketball fans actually. In order to involve more women we

need to consider what age groups will be needed and how to attract them, where to

find them and how to disseminate information.

To the first meeting with the leaders of the fans (fan platform) authority person of

Lithuania should be involved, for example, well known basketball players (Kleiza,

Sabonis).

During the meetings to encourage their creativity, responsibility.

To write down the chants till the project and the beginning of training and after the

project to have a possibility to compare it. To encourage the creativity.



December 2015

To show good examples of other countries. To teach only positive slogans and positive

support the team.

Real fans know that clubs do not have adequate resources and financing, that is why

fans shall endeavor to avoid burning chairs or make other losses to protect the clubs

from penalties.

To teach the clubs about their obligations as organizers or a visiting team according to

the Lithuanian legislation, the best way to communicate with the police and with the

fans;

To communicate more actively with the National Basketball League in defining the

level of the fan’s violence risk of each particular game of the championship; To avoid

their coaches to behave in an intentional way that provokes the fans to react against

referees decisions or against the opposing team;

To work more actively with the fans, especially the person, responsible for the

communication with the fans in the club which at the moment practically has mostly

fictive role.



December 2015

What can be done to prevent violence?

Impunity and lack of sanctions are the main

reason why the violence is not decreasing. Home

team is responsible for security, but both teams

should be responsible for it. Fans have the

possibility of violence, because the initial steps

and initiatives are skipped through the eyes. The

legal regulations should be improved.

The main problem is that fans do not want to be

identified; they do not want to put the photo on

their membership cards.

The situation in new arenas is now much better

because of new technical solutions such as

separate entrances, fenced areas and etc. These

technical solutions should be adapted in

renewing old arenas or building new arenas.

Already punished fans continue to participate in

fans‘activities. Fan activity is not confined to the

arena borders, it moves to cities and etc.

Motivation system to stop acting like that should

be created, for example invitations to matches,

lower prices of entrance to the match or other.

To separate fans in non-contacting tribunes with separate entrances, also to separate smoking

areas to avoid the contacting during the break time.

Agreements not to mock at opponents unless they mock at you exist between clubs, fans. The

problem is that somebody provokes. The solution could be film and watch fans in tribunes.

Sobriety of suspicious fans should be checked, intoxicated, drunk fans should not be allowed to

enter the match.

Alcohol - one of the main reasons for aggression. It should be prohibited to sell the alcohol

during the match. Drunk fans should not be permitted

Fans aggression and problems caused need to be filmed. These videos should be publicized

fans to understand what they are doing wrong sometimes not seeking to.

Create added value for fans. Introduce fan levels and categories to maximize fans‘loyalty and

responsibility for club.



December 2015

Maybe boxing fight for most aggressive fans in the ring under the rules should be organized.

Some clubs have good marketing, motivation and communication system with their fans.

Some clubs build their loyal, adequate fan base. Club managers should be brave to ask fans be

more polite and friendly. Other clubs should learn form others.

Non-allowance of the person to the game who was involved a crime before.

Effeciency and deterrence of punishment.

Other insights

To be a fan is a matter of honor, just the values of

fans are different, and their understanding of honor

is different.

Fans are supervised by team leaders. Team leaders

are in constant contact with them. Communication

with fans is already taking the place to avoid the

aggression in future.

The assessment is very important to young fans. It is

the main motivator for them.

Fans want resemble the foreign fans.

The databases of people who has committed illegal

actions are being created in some cities. These people

will not be allowed to enter the arenas. The problem is that it is difficult to check all

persons and recognize the faces.

To unite the fans by organizing sports tournaments, matches for their closer

communication and getting know each other, for understanding the similarity between each

other despite different teams.



December 2015

Fact Finding Conference

23.11.2015 – Kaunas



December 2015

5. FAN SURVEYS

Presentation of the key findings

Within the scope of FAV project, fan surveys were conducted on 09.2015-10.2015. A total of 420

surveys were conducted during this period, representing 5 different fan clubs.

Survey data were coded, entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences

(SPSS).

Findings

Kauno Zalgiris 32%

Vilniaus Lietuvos rytas 28%

Klaipedos Neptunas 27%

Utenos Juventus 9%

Alytaus Dzukija 4%

PERCENT OF BASKETBALL TEAM SUPPORTERS



December 2015

362

58

Male

Female

0 100 200 300 400

GEN

DER

NUMBER

GENDER

42

180

68

130

Basic education

Secondary education

College degree

University degree

0 50 100 150 200

EDU

CA

TIO

N

NUMBER

EDUCATION

233

103

84

Yes

No, but I would like to

No and i do not want

0 50 100 150 200 250

NUMBER

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE OFFICIAL FAN CLUB OF THE BASKETBALL TEAM?

12

70

109

61

49

53

30

18

9

5

5

Up to 15 years old

16-19 years old

20-24 years old

25-29 years old

30-34 years old

35-39 years old

40-44 years old

45-49 years old

50-54 years old

55-59 years old

Over 60 years old

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

AG

E

NUMBER

AGE

65

93

31

57

81

69

9

5

12

Owner of a private business

Employee in private sector

Civil servant

School student

University student

Free lancer

Retired

Housewife

Unemployed

0 20 40 60 80 100

SOC

IAL

STA

TUS

NUMBER

SOCIAL STATUS



December 2015

154

292

79

77

145

60

137

158

159

23

11

I attend the visiting games of the team

I am proud to be part of the team

Supporting a team with good traditions and success increases my self confidence

I have special price for tickets, souvenirs and the right to use good seats in the gym

I have the opportunity to travel, to see new places, to communicate with other fans

I have the opportunity to participate in or to influence on the team’s life

I have the opportunity to interact with the players of the team

I am proud to be a part of a community that shares the same values

I met new people

I feel significant and highly valued

Other…

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

BEN

EFIT

S

NUMBER

BENEFITS OF BEING FAN

61

63

37

51

105

103

My parents/relatives

Friends from the neighborhood

Classmates

Colleagues

Devoted fans from the fan club

Watching games on TV/ internet

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

NUMBER

WHO/WHAT HAD THE DECISIVE ROLE FOR YOU TO BECOME A FAN OF YOUR CLUB?



December 2015

119

96

91

114

I go to all sports events of my favorite club

At least once a month

A few times a year

I do not attend other sports events

0 50 100 150

NUMBER

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ATTEND OTHER SPORTS

EVENTS OF YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?

243

79

72

26

I go to basketball games only

I go mainly to football games

I go mainly to other team sport games

I go mainly to individual sports competitions

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

NUMBER

DO YOU ATTEND OTHER SPORTS EVENTS OF YOUR

FAVORITE CLUB?

135

109

145

32

If somebody knows how to drink the quantity is not a

problem

Although regular the moderate consumption is

acceptable

It is acceptable only if it is occasionally

I am strongly against

0 50 100 150 200

ATT

ITU

DE

NUMBER

WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ALCOHOL

CONSUMPTION?

33

16

371

Since it is a personal choice, I do not mind

If the consumption is moderate it is not

dangerous

I am strongly against

0 100 200 300 400

ATT

ITU

DE

NUMBER

WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS

THE DRUG CONSUMPTION?



December 2015

194

303

271

154

261

86

32

124

91

49

18

I am member of the official fan club of the basketball team

I attend the home games of the team

I wear the colors and the symbols of the team

I attend the visiting games of the team

I watch the games of my team on TV

I convince friends and relatives to become fans of the team

I encourage my kid to play for the club

I buy souvenirs with the colors and symbols of the club

I donate money to the club

I do volunteer job for the club

Other…

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

SUP

PO

RTI

NG

WA

YS

NUMBER

THE WAYS FANS SUPPORTING THEIR TEAMS

280

198

180

182

47

98

145

240

44

67

35

68

42

126

123

184

11

I have fun

I like to attend sport’s events with friends

I like to be part of the devoted fan’s community

This is a way to spend my time meaningfully

I have friends playing in the team

It is our family tradition to support this basketball team

I like the play of my basketball team

I like the atmosphere in the gym

The prices of the tickets are affordable

My team is one of the leaders

This is a chance for me to share my opinion on other issues …

In this way I get out my (negative) energy

I like the comfort and the recreation options provided in the gym

I am from this town and I have to support the team from my …

I like the colors and the symbols of my club

I love basketball

Other …

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

REA

SON

NUMBER

REASONS WHY FANS ARE GOING TO BASKETBALL GAMES



December 2015

163

217

219

32

7

61

26

9

19

40

They have different ideology and values

We have a historical feud between our fans

We have a historical feud between our towns/ districts

We have ethnic confrontation

We have religious confrontation

Their team is more successful than our team

Their team is tolerated by the federation/league

They have many foreigners in the team

Their team is richer than our team

Other…

0 50 100 150 200 250

REA

SON

S

NUMBER

MAIN REASONS TO SEE THE OTHER TEAM FANS AS RIVALS

165

266

42

203

105

98

65

37

96

109

25

84

137

86

25

26

70

65

49

9

16

The behavior of the police/security/stewards

Provocations and offensive chants of the fans of the other team

Poor performance of your team

Consumption of alcohol

Consumption of drugs

Referee’s calls

Doubts for simulative play and fixed result of the game

Opportunity to release negative energy/ personal problems

Desire to provoke the fans of the other team

Extreme, fanatical attitude of some fans

Opportunity to get media exposure (to be shown on the TV/media)

Desire to prove yourself / to defend your honor

Historical feud between the fans of some teams

Historical feud between our towns/ districts

Just for fun and as a source for emotions

Demonstration of solidarity with the rest of the fans

Provocative behavior of the players of the other team

Part of a deliberate plan of the fan leaders

Insufficient security before, during or after the game

Discontentment of the management of the club

Other…

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

REA

SON

S

NUMBER

THE MOST COMMON REASONS FOR AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR OF THE FANS DURING THE

BASKETBALL GAMES?



December 2015

46

355

238

4

19

26

11

56

140

18

16

9

9

23

19

21

16

23

Society

Family

Friends

Government

Police

School

Internet and social media

Basketball federation / league

My basketball club

Local authorities

Legal system

Laws

Political parties

Business

Media

European institutions

Non-governmental organizations

Banks

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

NUMBER

FANS CONFIDENCE IN EACH OF THE THINGS MENTIONED BELLOW:



December 2015

6. IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS

Presentation of the key findings

During the project “Fans Against Violence“ in-depth interviews with representatives of clubs and

different teams fan leaders were carried out. 4 representatives of largest Lithuanian basketball

clubs and 8 basketball fan leaders were happy to answer the questions during the interview.

Respondents were feeling free to express their opinions openly. Answers were based on their

expertise, experience and knowledge.

Methodology

7 questions were given to 4 club representatives. These questions helped us to find out the main

reasons of aggressive behavior of fans, provocative factors and club contribution to preventive

measures against aggression. Meanwhile 17 questions were given to fan leaders. These questions

helped us to find fans ‘attitude to the fan club meaning in their life, attitude to rituals existing,

personal characteristics also aggressiveness and understanding its causes. On the survey a voice

recorder and a sheet of paper where short notes were made were used. Each respondent was

answering to questions no longer than 30 minutes.

Data generated from the interviews were content analyzed, and the results were examined and

then summarized.

It was found during the interview that two different fan groups dominate in the largest Lithuanian

basketball fan clubs – youth (students and etc.) and elders (businessmen, employees, civil servants

and etc.). The main idea of these interviews was to find out as deep information as possible about

the main fan provocateurs and causes of aggression.



December 2015

Findings



December 2015

However, all the basketball clubs, in turn, take preventive measures in order to prevent all

potential conflicts of fans. For example, the Kaunas Zalgiris ensured as low as possible contact of

different fans of other teams fans in Zalgiris arena. Fans of different clubs have separate drive-

ways and entrances to arena, so the rift is manifested only in the form of chants in arena. However,

there are provocations when the opposing team's fans specially purchase tickets in the arena site

where fans of opposite team sit. In this case the only solution to avoid the conflict is good work of

security and police.

Contacts that occur outside of the arena are not controlled by the club. All club representatives

held regular meetings with fans. Sometimes the security guards and police officers are invited to

attend these meetings. During these meetings, fans are introduced with the existing compulsory

rules in the matches. Also, the limits fans cannot go beyond are being determined, i.e. the use of

pyrotechnic, gait in the city before the match, chants in the city, alcohol consumption and smoking



December 2015

in public places and etc. Clubs are also in constant contact with fans; maintain a close relationship,

trying to explain the consequences of the aggression and etc. Most clubs have reached a

compromise with the fans for their behavior, which could result in fines for club in the arena.

Strengthened official forces are invoked for most important matches. Then the police officers of

the Mobile Squad, who are specially trained to suppress the conflicts, ensure the public order. Both

the police and clubs try to be tolerant and not to take radical actions on each case, but at the same

time keeping in mind that rules should not be broken.



December 2015

7. CONCLUSIONS

Examination and explanation of the important findings revealed by the study

The research conducted under the scope of the Fans Against Violence project enabled us to gain

various insights about the history of Lithuanian basketball, the state of violence in Lithuanian

basketball, the profile of Lithuanian basketball fans and their behaviours, the reasons for violence

in basketball and possible solutions.

We believe that this report provides a comprehensive understanding about the issues and their

creators in Lithuanian basketball spectatorship. The aim of the conclusion section is to sum up the

phases of the research and outline the important findings.

Section one, the first step of the research was to gain an understanding about the current state of

Lithuanian Basketball. In order to achieve the mentioned goal, different sources were used. First of

all the publications about Lithuanian basketball were evaluated, the archives of Lithuanian

Basketball Federation and face-to-face sources for getting the latest updates were used. The

research indicates that basketball is the most developed sport branches in Lithuania. For many

people it is called as the second religion of Lithuania. The well-established history of Lithuanian

Basketball leads to the creation of a very well developed organisational structure. Different levels

of leagues not only for men but also for women and the youth enlarge the scope and reach of the

sport in Lithuania. The success achieved in Lithuanian professional basketball makes the country

one of the most successful in Europe which creates a valuable sence of proud in most of

Lithuanians heards.

Section two, the second step of the research was to gain deep knowledge about violent fan

behaviour. Within the scope of this section, primarily academic publications were examined.

Different definitions of “aggression” were provided. The aggressive actions of sport spectators were

distinguished in two separate classes; hostile or instrumental. Compared to hostile aggression, in

instrumental aggression spectator’s main goal might be to take advantage of their aggressive

behaviours in terms of the affecting officials or players’ decision. The theories referred in the

second section which tend to explain the reasons of aggressive behaviour are Berkowitz’s Revised

Frustration-Aggression Theory (1982), Bandura's (1973) Social Learning Theory and Smith's

(1972) Frustration and Aggression and Social Identity Theory. Lastly, the relationship between



December 2015

team identification and aggressive fan behaviour were examined.

Section three was vital in order to understand the current situation in terms of violence in

basketball spectatorship. Our research reveal that there were a number of occasions happened

before, during and afrer basketball games. However, it is not so visible for the general people

because fans usually do not involve them into the fightings. The research indicates that violence in

basketball is a medium serious matter in Lithuanian sport. An interesting finding concerns the

scope of violence; violence isn’t a general problem of Lithuanian basketball and doesn’t involve a

large number of teams. There are mostly two biggest teams who are part of almost every occasion.

Section four consists of the valuable information and ideas gained at the fact finding conference,

where participate various stakeholders of basketball. The main aim of conference was to bring all

stakeholders of basketball together and enable them to discuss and brainstorm the issue violence

realities in basketball. This conference let us to see the issue of violence from different

perspectives. Participants shared the main reasons of having fan incidents, what is done to this

topic till now and how is the dialogue between the stakeholders working against violence in the

field of basketball. Also was good to hear from club managers and stakeholders of basketball what

are the strengths and weaknesses of the project activities, suggestions how to develop the project

activities. Most important is that everybody discussed what can be done to prevent violence. The

effectiveness of these initiatives depends heavily on the applicability and broad appropriation by

different stakeholders. There is general consensus that violence is harmful for every stakeholder.

That is why preventing violence and playing appropriate roles should be every stakeholder’s

responsibility. The sport, particularly the stakeholders, should create a mechanism that

automatically denounces inappropriate behaviour.

Section five showed the most important findings of the fan surveys. This study on profiling

basketball fans and the state of violence was the most comprehensive study done in Lithuania on

basketball so far. There are a number of very interesting findings. Most of the fans were male

(362), students and youngsters who were between 20-24 years old. Most of them have a secondary

school education and are employed in private sector. They love the atmosphere in basketball

matches, think that watching basketball is fun and enjoyable. Basketball fans are proud of being

part of their team and they enjoy representing the values and beliefs of it. Surveyed fans are mostly

frequent visitors who attend each home game, wear the colors and the symbols of the team and

also watches all games on TV. Considering violent behaviour, according to fans, the provocations



December 2015

and offensive chants of the opponent teams fans are the main reasons for aggression. One

interesting thing was found out during the survey that the main reasons of seeing the other team

fans as rivals is mostly historical feud between towns, districts and fans. So in Lithuania the

biggest strife comes from generation to generation through history.

Section six involves the main findings of the in-depth interviews conducted with fan leaders and

team managers. 7 questions were given to 4 club representatives. These questions helped us to find

out the main reasons of aggressive behavior of fans, provocative factors and club contribution to

preventive measures against aggression. Meanwhile 17 questions were given to fan leaders. These

questions helped us to find fans ‘attitude to the fan club meaning in their life, attitude to rituals

existing, personal characteristics also aggressiveness and understanding its causes. Each

respondent was answering to questions no longer than 30 minutes. During in-depth interviews

were found out that the main fan provocateurs are offensive opposing team chants and gestures,

the behaviour of the other team's players, the disputed judges’ work and inadequate ecurity

guards. However, all the basketball clubs, in turn, take preventive measures in order to prevent all

potential conflicts of fans. Contacts that occur outside of the arena are not controlled by the club.

All club representatives held regular meetings with fans. Sometimes the security guards and police

officers are invited to attend these meetings. During these meetings, fans are introduced with the

existing compulsory rules in the matches. Both the police and clubs try to be tolerant and not to

take radical actions on each case, but at the same time keeping in mind that rules should not be

broken.



December 2015

For more information: www.fansagainstviolence.net

national report lithuania - fans against · pdf file2 fans against violence national report...

Documents