The history of the Lithuanian and the Dutch basketball players

Fateful signs

K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst met her future husband in 2021. At the end of June, when he represented the Lithuanian Women’s Trihies (3×3) Basketball Team, which fought in the European Championship selection in Constant. Dimeo van der Horst also participated in the men’s tournament with the Dutch team. Interestingly, his Romania should not even have been – the Dutchman had to go on vacation at the time, but his fate had prepared a different plan.

« Dimeo knew our team coach Dainius Novickas. So when they and our teams went to the Old Continental Championship, we celebrated together. But it was a symbolic celebration, as the coronavirus was still raging and we were only able to communicate at the hotel, to leave and walk somewhere.

The Lithuanian woman, who usually plays in foreign clubs and spending time there, was on vacation in Klaipeda in the summer of that year. In July, the Hoptrans 3×3 Basketball Tournament took place in this city. It tested forces not only in Lithuania but also in other European countries. Of course, there were Dutch basketball players among them.

« When Dimeo said he would come to the match in our port city, I couldn’t believe it. It was very unexpected, but of course a pleasant surprise. By the way, he didn’t have to participate in this tournament. But for me, he did, the coach and came. We just wanted to see each other. Athlete.

Plan: The basketball player hopes that the Lithuanian national team’s shirt will be able to wear the European Championship, not just during training. Photo by Personal Archive

Amsterdam was fascinated

Friendship at a distance – this was the start of a couple’s relationship. Since K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst usually plays regular (5×5) basketball, and D. van der Horst, their schedules and seasons were different. Consequently, when one finished the battles on the pitch, they could fly to the second half. At that time, the Lithuanian woman defended the Turkish team’s honor, and the Dutchman was playing in his home country:smiles). ”

In the summer of next year, the basketball player was already in the Netherlands, though not all things, but the beginning of the move was done. « We wanted to spend as much time together as possible. Because I don’t have any place of residence, I was in Amsterdam that summer.

It is true that this country is also recorded in the fate of a Lithuanian woman. Eight years ago, she and her dad went to visit her sister. It was the first acquaintance with K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst with the Netherlands. « I remember then I promised myself that one day I would come back to Amsterdam. I really enjoyed it, I just lost my promise. People, their lifestyle, architecture. Everything I liked and liked.

Experience: A new vehicle – a stroller – has emerged in the life of the athlete. Photo by Personal Archive

Natural step

August 10 last year K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst and 33-year-old D. Van der Horst exchanged gold rings in Palanga. The basketball player admits that he was from girls who dreamed of a wedding, even though princess dresses and didn’t want: « I wanted the whole family, friends. Maybe I dreamed about it because I spent most of my time outside Lithuania. I wanted my closest people to celebrate my and my husband.

We are laughing with friends that Dimi has to meet high expectations. After all, Dad is an Olympic champion, a mom’s career – is not bad either.

New – wives – the athlete likes the duties. Although, according to her, nothing in the couple’s relationship has changed, just began to officially call her lover husband (spouse, husband).

« We wanted to be husband and wife. The marriage was a natural step, the next step of the relationship. It was the desire of both. Dimeo maybe even wanted a wedding before, but I kept saying that we would encourage at least about a year.Laughs). In fact, when you have been over 30, you know what you want from life, from another person. You probably already know and when you meet that one. From the beginning of my acquaintance, I said he would be my husband, ”said K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst.

Motherhood is pleased

She and her husband are very easy, admits the basketball player. They support each other unconditionally, understand half a word and make a great team. February 28 this year. This team was supplemented by a third member, son Dimi.

Friends: Family pet Maya also plays the role of a nanny. Photo by Personal Archive

« It is very easy for us to raise a child together. Although, of course, the baby is very good, calm, let my mom sleep, so I only get up at night. Of course, there will probably be other stages, such as when teeth stitch. Now I really can’t complain.

Asked if he hoped that the first months of motherhood would be harder, K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst said he did not really imagine how it would be. Just both wanted a baby, wanted a mini dimeo, she adds with a smile.

Now that I have entered my mom’s club, I understand all my moms. They are all fantastic.

« In the beginning, you seemed to not even know how to deal with a baby, even though you went to all the parents’ courses before. But here in the Netherlands, there is a very interesting and good system. Every future mother can fill out a request to come to her home. gamindavo, išskalbdavo drabužius. Mamai pirmos savaitės būna sunkiausios, nes nežinai, ką ir kaip daryti. Taigi ta moteris padėjo ir psichologiškai. Jaučiausi gerai, jaukiai kiekvieną dieną. Jei, pavyzdžiui, nepavyksta sutarti, nejaukiai jautiesi, gali paprašyti, kad ateitų kita moteris. Tas laikas ištrynė nežinomybę, nuteikė pozityviai. Žinoma, dar mokausi kiekvieną dieną, ir tai įdomu. Įdomus ir kitoks gyvenimas“, – pasakojo naujoji mamytė.

When choosing a name for his son, the parents first became interested in it on the Internet – looking for short names. But no one was. The Lithuanian woman wanted her to be associated with her name. Then Nacickaite-Van der Horst recalled that Dimeo told her that her mother called him a dimi in her childhood. This is how this option was chosen, « The name of the man’s mother was branding, so we decided that the son’s second name would be Brendan. »

A goal

Should the couple want their son to follow in the footsteps of their parents and choose the basketball player in the future? After hearing this question, K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst laughs. « We are joking with friends that Dimi has to meet high expectations now. After all, Dad is an Olympic champion, mom’s career is also good, » added one of the best Lithuanian basketball players.

City: Walks on Amsterdam streets for Mom and Son Time. Photo by Personal Archive

By the way, although not so much time has passed after childbirth, K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst has already begun to exercise. Of course, it is still very minimal.

« I had set out the goal of returning to the national team, to the European Championship, » the athlete explained.

Returning to the national team would be a truly exceptional occasion. After all, the Lithuanian Women’s Basketball Team will try again after a ten -year break in the European Championship. Fighting June 18-29 will take place in the Czech Republic (Brno), Germany (Hamburg), Italy (Bologna) and Greece (Piraeus). After the group competition, the final tournament will be organized in Piraeus.

May 2 Our team coach Vilius Stanišauskas has published a list of sixteen basketball players who are invited to the preparation camp. It also contains the name of K. Nacickaite-Van der Horst. Preparing for the Old Continental Championship will begin on May 12. In Klaipeda. Later, the basketball players will play sports in Moletai and Vilnius, with two trips to Turkey and Greece. A total of six control matches will be played in the preparation cycle.

« Even on the Internet, I was looking for stories of athletes who managed to recover and return to the site within three months.

Although she has not officially returned to basketball, the athlete already admits that it is not easy and not.

« What women have to experience during pregnancy and childbirth is something fantastic. They really need to endure a lot. Now that I have entered my mom’s club, I understand all moms. They are all fantastic. I will not say that it is easy to go back to basketball. But I think if any athlete hesitates Maternity leave plays even better than before.