RIGA – The Latvian national basketball team concluded its home European Championship campaign with a 12th-place finish following an 80-74 loss to Montenegro in the classification round on Sunday. The defeat marks the end of Latvia‘s tournament run in Riga, where they captivated local fans with early victories but ultimately fell short of contention for a medal.
This result concludes a historic EuroBasket for Latvia, the first time the nation has hosted the tournament and only its second appearance since regaining independence in 1991. While failing to reach the quarter-finals, Latvia’s performance – including notable wins against Belgium and Ukraine in the group stage – ignited national pride and showcased the growing strength of Latvian basketball. The team will now focus on future qualifying tournaments, aiming to build on this experience and secure a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Latvian team, led by Rodions Kurucs with 18 points, struggled to contain Montenegro’s Bojan Dubljević, who scored 25 points. despite a strong showing from the home crowd at the Arena Riga, Latvia couldn’t overcome Montenegro’s offensive efficiency.Latvia finished with a 3-5 record overall in the tournament.
Montenegro’s victory secured them 11th place in the EuroBasket standings.The tournament continues with quarter-final matches scheduled for September 13th.
Latvia’s participation in EuroBasket 2022 was notably significant given the geopolitical context, with the tournament excluding Russia and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine. This created an prospect for other European nations, including Latvia, to shine on the international stage.
The Latvian Basketball Federation has expressed its gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament and has pledged to continue investing in the development of basketball within the country.
