Šmits Out: Latvia National Team Faces Poland Without Key Player

Latvian Basketball Faces Challenges as Key Player Šmits Sits Out World Cup Qualifiers

Latvia’s national basketball team will face a significant hurdle in their 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign as star player Rolands Šmits is sidelined due to a leg muscle injury sustained earlier in February. This news, confirmed by the Latvian Basketball Association (LBS), impacts a team already navigating a competitive Group F.

Šmits’ Absence: A Blow to Latvia’s Offensive Power

Šmits, currently playing for Anadolu Efes, was the sole EuroLeague player included in the initial candidate roster for the national team. His absence leaves a void in Latvia’s lineup, particularly given his current averages of 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague. The injury occurred during a match against Valencia, and he has already missed six games for his club.

Upcoming Matches and Group Standings

Latvia is scheduled to play Poland twice in quick succession: first at home on February 27th, and then away on March 1st. The team currently holds a 1-1 record in Group F, tied with the Netherlands, while Poland leads the group with two wins. Austria trails with two losses. The top three teams from Group F will advance to the second round, joining the top three from Group E (Germany, Croatia, Israel, Cyprus) to compete for a spot in the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.

Latvian Roster: A Look at the Available Players

Despite Šmits’ unavailability, Latvia has assembled a roster featuring players from various European leagues. The current list of candidates includes:

• Adrians Andževs, Kristaps Ķilps (VEF Rīga)
• Roberts Blumbergs (Socar Petkimspor, Turkey)
• Klāvs Čavars (Sabah, Azerbaijan)
• Artūrs Kurucs (Breogan, Spain)
• Toms Leimanis (Reykjavík KR, Iceland)
• Rihards Lomažs, Kārlis Šiliņš (Neptūnas Klaipēda, Lithuania)
• Rodijs Mačoha (Rīgas Zeļļi)
• Mareks Mejeris (Stal Ostrow, Poland)
• Anrijs Miška (Kalev/Cramo, Estonia)
• Toms Skuja (Riesen, Germany)
• Mārcis Šteinbergs (BAXI Manresa, Spain)
• Artūrs Strautiņš (Tortona, Italy)
• Kristers Zoriks (Udine, Italy)

The Path to Qualification: A Challenging Road Ahead

With a competitive group and the absence of a key player, Latvia faces a challenging path to qualification. Success will depend on the performance of the remaining players and their ability to overcome the loss of Šmits’ contributions. The upcoming matches against Poland are crucial for maintaining their chances of advancing to the second round.

Did you know?

The FIBA World Cup qualification process is structured in multiple rounds, with teams accumulating points throughout the campaign to determine their final standings.

FAQ

Q: When are Latvia’s upcoming games against Poland?
A: February 27th in Latvia and March 1st in Poland.

Q: Why is Rolands Šmits unavailable for these games?
A: He is recovering from a leg muscle injury.

Q: What is at stake in these qualifying games?
A: Qualification for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.

Q: Who are the other teams in Latvia’s qualifying group?
A: Poland, Netherlands, and Austria.

Q: Where can I find more information about the Latvian national basketball team?
A: Visit the Latvian Basketball Association website: https://www.basketbols.lv/

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