Latvia's Basketball Team Keeps Same Roster for Austria Game

Preparation for Decisive Match

The Latvian men's national basketball team continues its FIBA World Cup qualification campaign. After an important 72-69 victory over the Netherlands in Almere on Friday, the team is preparing for the next match against Austria. Head coach Jānis Gailītis has decided to keep the same 12-man squad that was registered for the Netherlands game.

In the previous match, Kārlis Šiliņš and Toms Skuja did not see playing time, but both remain in the lineup. Meanwhile, Kristians Feierbergs, Gunārs Grīnvalds, Ričards Aizpurs, and Krišs Helmanis, who were not called up for the Netherlands game, are again left out.

Victory Over the Netherlands

Against the Netherlands, Latvia staged a comeback in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Rihards Lomažs (also 6 rebounds and 4 assists) and Artūrs Žagars each scored 21 points. This victory put Latvia in a strong position to advance, although Austria still has theoretical chances.

Austria previously lost at home to Poland 77:123 and fell to Latvia in Riga last December 68:86. To advance, Austria needs to beat Latvia by at least 19 points if the Netherlands defeats Poland, or by at least 20 if the Netherlands loses. In either scenario, Latvia would finish last in the group.

Group Standings

In Group F, after five games, Poland leads with a 5-0 record, followed by the Netherlands and Latvia (both 2-3), with Austria in last place (1-4). In the second round, Latvia will face Croatia, Germany, and Israel, with the first-round record carrying over. The top three teams from each second-round group will qualify for the World Cup.

Squad for Austria Match

| Player | Born | Height | Club 25/26 | |--------|------|--------|------------| | Roberts Blumbergs | 1998 | 208 cm | Petkim Spor (TUR) | | Rolands Šmits | 1995 | 207 cm | Anadolu Efes (TUR) | | Artūrs Strautiņš | 1998 | 198 cm | Derthona (ITA) | | Klāvs Čavars | 1996 | 208 cm | Sabah BK (AZE) | | Rihards Lomažs | 1996 | 193 cm | Neptūnas (LTU) | | Mārtiņš Laksa | 1990 | 198 cm | Krosno (POL) | | Mārcis Šteinbergs | 2001 | 206 cm | BAXI Manresa (ESP) | | Toms Skuja | 2002 | 190 cm | Ludwigsburg (GER) | | Kristaps Ķilps | 2001 | 194 cm | VEF Rīga | | Kārlis Šiliņš | 1997 | 208 cm | Neptūnas (LTU) | | Toms Leimanis | 1994 | 190 cm | Reykjavik KR (ISL) | | Artūrs Žagars | 2000 | 190 cm | Fenerbahce (TUR) |