Latvian national basketball team captain Rihards Lomažs addressed the squad’s 80-115 defeat against Croatia in the 2027 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, pointing to early whistle pressure and physical disruption from referees as a primary catalyst for the blowout loss, according to an interview with Valdis Valters on the YouTube channel “11LV TV”.
Refereeing and Physicality Disruption in Zagreb
According to Lomažs, Latvia arrived in Zagreb physically prepared for the contest, but that advantage evaporated during the opening two quarters. The captain stated that officials whistled nearly every touch defensively, which derailed the visitors’ game plan and created early hesitation against players like Mario Hezonja.
“Physically we were ready, but that physicality was taken away from us quite quickly by the referees,” Lomažs told Valters on “11LV TV”. “Here in Riga, when we played, it wasn’t like that and we could battle. But there—you really couldn’t touch [them] and we fell apart a bit.”
The guard noted a stark statistical disparity at the free-throw line, where Croatia attempted 44 free throws compared to Latvia’s 14. Despite the officiating frustrations, Lomažs conceded that the final 35-point margin reflected a deserved defeat, though he estimated a 20-point deficit would have been a fairer representation of the on-court play.
Locker Room Reaction and Moving Forward
Following the final buzzer in Zagreb, Lomažs kept quiet in the locker room, explaining that a 35-point loss left little room for immediate discussion. The team regrouped upon returning to Riga, where head coach Jānis Gailītis addressed the squad.
According to Lomažs, Gailītis focused on the global picture rather than specific tactical breakdowns from Croatia, emphasizing national responsibility before turning immediate attention toward their upcoming fixture against Israel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of the Latvian national basketball team?
Rihards Lomažs serves as the captain of the Latvian squad.
What was the final score of the Croatia vs. Latvia World Cup qualifier?
Croatia defeated Latvia 115-80 in the qualifying fixture, according to match reports.
What did Rihards Lomažs identify as the main turning point in the game?
Lomažs highlighted early foul trouble and a 44-to-14 free-throw disparity that neutralized Latvia’s physical play in the first half.
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