Steinbergs after win over Netherlands: many mistakes, need to learn
Latvia's basketball team defeated Netherlands 72:69 away in World Cup qualifiers, but player Steinbergs admitted the team did not show its best performance and needs improvement in many areas.
The Latvian men's basketball national team won 72:69 away against the Netherlands in a World Cup qualification match on Saturday. After the game, player Mārtiņš Šteinbergs praised the opponents but stressed that Latvia did not display its best qualities, noting there is plenty of room for improvement on both offense and defense.
Šteinbergs stated that the team was following coach Jānis Gailītis's game plan, but small nuances caused issues throughout the match. He highlighted defensive mistakes, such as helping too much and leaving opponents open for passes. While conceding only 69 points is not bad, he believed the Netherlands had many free shots, meaning Latvia could have performed significantly better.
During the second quarter, it seemed Latvia might take control, but after halftime, the team again struggled. Šteinbergs attributed this to fatigue—Latvian players appeared more tired than their opponents, leading to errors.
In conclusion, Šteinbergs said the team must review the game, learn from mistakes, and focus on beating Austria at home on Monday. This match will conclude the first phase of the group stage for Latvia.
