Even though he did not have a chance to play under Alexander Gomelsky anymore, he made the breakthrough when Vladimir Kondrashin was appointed as the head coach of the national team, the once rejected Estonian was given an opportunity. He was in the shortlist for the 1972 Olympic team, but was replaced with Gennadi Volnov. Salumets finally won his first and last prize, bronze medal in EuroBasket 1973. After the only major tournament he got in conflict with the new head coach as well and was ruled out of the national team permanently.