Latvia’s 81-79 loss to Germany could signify the tip of their Cinderella run within the FIBA World Cup, but it surely may additionally sign the beginning of larger issues for his or her basketball program.
In their first look within the FIBA World Cup, the Latvians completed on the high eight.
“For Latvia, this is kind of first appointment with such a high-level basketball. We show our players, our style, and identity,” Latvia head coach Luca Banchi mentioned.
Their journey to the quarterfinals, in itself, was one thing to marvel at.
In the primary spherical, they beat a formidable French group that had 3-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and veteran Evan Fournier.
NBA ahead Davis Bertans described this victory, which booted France from the competitors, as their largest since 1935, after they received their first EuroBasket championship.
Come second spherical, they took down defending champion Spain in comeback style.
As Bertans would put it, they fought exhausting each recreation.
“I’m extremely proud of this team, battling every single game. I think we put ourselves in a position to win, not because of any individual player, but because of we played like a team. We played the right way,” he expressed.
The quarterfinals recreation was additionally a show of resilience, very similar to their largest victories, as they clawed their manner again after being down 12 factors within the fourth quarter. These comeback makes an attempt are representations of the entire event for them, up to now.
Just just a few days earlier than opening day, it was introduced that their star and focal piece Kristaps Porzingis wouldn’t take part as a result of a foot harm. Then, after simply taking part in two video games, captain Dairis Bertans, went down with a hamstring harm that dominated him out the remainder of the best way.
Despite main roster setbacks, Latvia discovered a strategy to win persistently, even in opposition to predicted powerhouse groups.
“Coming here, the only goal was to give everything. Our captain, my brother, he had a message to the fans that we’ll do everything in our power to every single game. And I don’t think there’s a single guy in the locker room that hasn’t given everything,” Bertans mentioned.
They stayed true to their promise and shocked the world with their on-court performances.
With their medal hopes crumbling, Latvia stays dedicated to bringing residence the most effective outcome potential.
“Number one motivation right now is to win the next two games.”
Latvia will face Italy this afternoon on the Mall of Asia Arena for the classification video games.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
