Latvia's women's basketball team loses to Slovenia in EuroBasket qualifying

Latvia's women's national basketball team lost 64-70 (18-11, 15-25, 14-13, 17-21) to Slovenia on Saturday in Ljubljana, in the second round of qualifying for the 2027 European Championship, Group K. The top two teams in the group will reach the final tournament, so the result affects Latvia's chances of qualifying.

How the game unfolded

Latvia opened with a 6-0 run and, after points from Aleksa Gulbe, led by its largest margin, 16-5. In the second quarter the Slovenian side fought back and, after five points from Jessica Shepard, took the lead for the first time at 31-28. Latvia levelled at 47-47 in the 28th minute and went ahead 54-52 after a basket by Mila Luzgina. Zala Friskovec then scored five straight points to put the hosts up 59-56, and they extended the lead until the end.

Top performers

For Latvia, Aleksa Gulbe scored 18 points with eight rebounds, Kitija Laksa added 14, and Vanesa Jasa had 11 points and seven rebounds. Laura Meldere scored seven points and grabbed 11 rebounds. For Slovenia, Friskovec produced 33 points and nine rebounds, while Shepard had 16 points and eight rebounds.

Latvia won the battle under the baskets (49-38), but Slovenia was more accurate from long range, hitting 9 of 22 three-pointers against Latvia's 1 of 19. Laksa made Latvia's only three-pointer.

Group picture

In the other Group K game, Italy beat Austria 71-49 in Vienna. In the first round on Wednesday, Latvia won 81-66 away to Austria, while Slovenia lost 62-67 to Italy. Latvia's next game is at home to Italy on Tuesday, and the return games will be played next February.

Digna Strautmane, Elizabete Bulane and Katrina Ozola did not play in Ljubljana. Kristina Moora, an Australia-born basketball player of Latvian descent, made her debut for the national team. The European Championship final tournament will take place next June.