Latvian Military Basketball Team Wins First Medals Since Independence
The Latvian men's military basketball team won bronze at the 54th World Military Basketball Championship in France, marking the first medal in team sports for the country since regaining independence.
From June 28 to July 4, the 54th World Military Basketball Championship took place in Bourges, France, where the Latvian men's military team achieved a notable success by finishing third and claiming bronze medals. This is the first time since Latvia's restoration of independence that its military personnel have earned medals in a team sport.
Under the guidance of coach Uvis Helmanis, the team suffered a close loss to France (70:72) in the group stage but convincingly defeated the Netherlands (105:62). In the quarterfinals, Latvia edged Brazil 84:83, but fell to Lithuania 65:90 in the semifinals – Lithuania later won the championship. In the bronze medal game, Latvia defeated Greece 94:86.
The Latvian squad included: Niks Trumekalns, Artūrs Krūze, Mārtiņš Kravčenko (captain), Krišjānis Kazulis, Mairis Valdmanis, Juris Vītols, Kristaps Salmiņš, Rihards Strauts, Ingars Aizpurs, Emīls Pētersons, and Dāvis Rozītis.
The Greek team featured players from the club "Maroussi" and former members of Piraeus' "Olympiacos". France's roster included players from second-tier clubs. Lithuania's Gintautas Matulis, a bronze medalist in 3x3 basketball at the Paris Olympics, was named final MVP, while the tournament MVP was Julius Kazakauskas, who has played in both the Lithuanian top league and the Latvian-Estonian league.
In the women's competition, the Latvian military team finished sixth.
