Latvia names 3x3 squad for Europe championship, World Cup MVP Lasmanis left out

The Latvian Basketball Union has revealed the roster for its 3x3 national basketball team ahead of this weekend's European Championship in the Netherlands. Compared with the squad that won the World Cup for the first time in June, one notable change has been made — Kārlis Lasmanis, who was named the World Cup's most valuable player, will not feature this time.

Latvia will be represented at the European Championship by Nauris Miezis, Zigmārs Raimo and Francis Lācis, with guard Kristaps Gludītis rounding out the four-man roster. Head coach Raimonds Feldmanis said the lineup was chosen based on players' physical readiness, experience and overall team balance, adding that he trusts the group to compete for top results.

Group stage begins Saturday

Latvia will open the tournament in Group C, facing Ireland and Lithuania on Saturday. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The medal rounds are scheduled for Sunday, followed by semifinals, a bronze medal match and the final.

This will mark Latvia's sixth appearance at the European Championship finals in men's 3x3 basketball, with the team earning medals in five of its previous five appearances — gold in 2017, silver in 2018 and 2022, bronze in 2023, and silver last year. Latvia's women's team, meanwhile, failed to qualify for this year's European Championship finals.