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Elīna Babkina will be the captain of the Latvian women’s basketball team in the qualifying games of the European Championship scheduled for this week, because Aija Klakocka has been injured.
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Babkina is one of the three players of the Latvian national team who has already undergone quarantine due to Covid-19. Kristīne Vītola and Paula Strautmane were forced to do the same in Hungary.
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In a conversation with Latvian Television, Babkina revealed that due to the pandemic, since arriving in Russia, the team has managed to conduct only seven trainings together. Formerly “sparing” with guys, but lacks gaming practice.
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“Pretty hard … I had one training session, which was followed by a game. After the other girls on the team returned from the self-draw, we did three training sessions together, but then we went to the game,” explained Babkina. “Unfortunately, there is no gaming practice, but I have worked individually one on one.”
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“It’s not the same, so I guess it’s going to be hard to catch the rhythm of the game. I’ll try to do my best, but basketball is a team sport, not an individual sport.”
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The Latvian national team, as well as other subgroup I national units (Croatia, Germany and Northern Macedonia), will live in one hotel during the qualifying tournament, but the entrance to the Elektrum Olympic Center is on the other side and visitors do not have access to basketball players. On Monday, the Latvian national team went to the training along a narrow corridor, which separates access to the square from other premises.
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“We have to accept the situation as it is. I think we are provided with excellent conditions – we can be at home and represent the country in such a difficult situation,” said head coach Mārtiņš Gulbis about the conditions in Riga. “I told the girls that it should be appreciated.”
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Anete Šteinberga has also returned to the ranks of the state unit after a break of more than two years, who pointed out that it is not difficult to follow strict rules. The main thing is not to go to the premises prematurely, where other teams could be located, there is also no possibility to go to the streets of Riga.
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“I am happy to be here to represent the Latvian national team. Professional basketball requires a lot, both physically and emotionally … I felt that if I want to continue with the power, I need to step back a little,” explained his choice not to represent the Latvian national team since the 2018 World Cup. Steinberg. “In the summer, I have to devote time to myself, which I have been doing for the last two years, but now I am ready to give everything up again to win new victories.”
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Captain Babkina also longs for victory, who pointed out that almost every opponent is capable of a unified composition of the Latvian national team.
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“Our team is very aggressive. If we are one, it will be difficult for someone to stop us,” Babkina was convinced. “We have both good guards and attackers – all positions are filled.”
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On November 12, Latvia will meet with Germany, but a meeting with Croatia is scheduled for two days later.
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After two rounds in Group I, the Croatian national team has two victories, Latvia and Germany one by one, while Northern Macedonia remains in the beige.
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The final tournament, scheduled for June 2021 in Spain and France, will qualify the winners of nine groups and the top five runners-up.
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It has already been reported that at the end of this year and the beginning of next year, the games organized by the FIBA national team will take place in one place, not at home or at guests, as usual. The FIBA Executive Committee decided on the national team matches scheduled for November this year and February next year after assessing health risks and receiving recommendations from medical and competition commissions.
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The new rules stipulate that the games will not be played away or at home, but in one venue, which FIBA will have to agree in advance with the country that has committed to hosting the matches. Covid-19 tests will be required at the venue, as well as a strict movement regime, as the teams will live in a “bubble”.
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Composition of the Latvian women’s basketball team for participation in the qualification tournament:
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Elīna Babkina (“Nadezhda” from Orenburg, Russia), Ilze Jākobsone, Ieva Pulvere, Kitty Laksa, Karlīne Pilābere (all – “TTT Rīga”) Kate Krēsliņa (“Castors Braine”, Belgium), Paula Strautmane (Pecs “Pecs”, Hungary ), Luīze Šepte (“University of Latvia”), Anete Šteinberga (Istanbul “Galatasaray:, Turkey), Zenta Melnik (Uppsala” KFUK-KFUM “, Sweden), Kristine Vitola (Miskolc DVTK, Hungary), Laura Meldere (Venice” Uman “) Reyer “, Italy).
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