Latvia's U-20 women's basketball team loses to Croatia, medal hopes dashed

Latvia's U-20 women's basketball team suffered a defeat in the round of 16 of the European Championship in Klaipėda on Wednesday, losing 84:97 to Croatia. The loss eliminates Latvia from medal contention, and they will now compete for ninth place.

In the game, Latvia showed resilience by erasing a 21-point deficit that occurred early in the third quarter when Croatia led 60:39. However, after closing to within two points at 64:66, they could not equalize. In the fourth quarter, they repeatedly cut the deficit to two points but never managed to tie the game.

Top scorer for Latvia was Anna Liepiņa with 16 points and ten offensive rebounds. Evelīna Otto and Madara Šmite each scored 14 points, with Otto adding 12 rebounds and Šmite contributing eight rebounds and six assists. Kitija Muzikante scored 13 points, Mila Luzgina 11, and Estere Petrus 10 points along with five rebounds.

For Croatia, Lena Bilić stood out with 35 points and seven rebounds, Petra Božana recorded 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Lea Vukić scored 25 points.

The first quarter was closely contested; after Marta Ploriņa's two points gave Latvia a 7:2 lead, Croatia finished the quarter ahead 26:22. In the second quarter, Latvia briefly closed to 26:28, but Croatia then pulled away to a ten-point lead at 41:31.

On Friday, Latvia will face Italy in their first game for ninth place in Alytus. Earlier in the group stage, Latvia won Group B with three victories over Sweden, Germany, and Hungary. Croatia finished last in Group A, losing to Lithuania, Israel, and Spain.