The Latvia U18 men’s basketball team secured an 82-67 victory over Georgia in a pre-tournament exhibition game held in Riga on Saturday. According to the Latvian Basketball Association (LBS), the win followed a narrow 71-78 loss to Turkey just one day prior, marking a critical phase in the squad’s preparation for the upcoming European U18 Championship.
How did the Latvia U18 team perform against Georgia?
Latvia established an early rhythm, finishing the first quarter with a 20-11 lead. Despite a competitive response from the Georgian side, which outscored Latvia in the second quarter, the home team maintained consistency. Ronijs Darels Jeromanovs led the Latvian effort with 15 points and six rebounds, while captain Rets Eduards Veinbergs contributed 13 points and six rebounds. Rihards Čerņevskis added 11 points to the tally.
For Georgia, Sandro Šervašidze recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Teammate Davids Trapaidze provided 13 points and nine assists, though he struggled with ball security, committing five turnovers. Gabriels Balančivadze rounded out the scoring for Georgia with 12 points.
The Latvian U18 roster features players competing across various international leagues, including Italy’s “Stella Azurra” and Germany’s “Ulm,” reflecting the globalized pathway for young European prospects.
What is the path forward for the Latvia U18 squad?
The team is currently finalizing its roster and tactical approach ahead of the FIBA European U18 Championship, which takes place in Trentino, Italy, at the end of July. Next week, the squad will travel to Madrid for a high-stakes tournament against Spain, Lithuania, and Serbia. This series of games serves as a final test before the mid-July Baltic Cup.
In the European Championship, Latvia is placed in Group D. They are scheduled to face Italy, Estonia, and Spain. The stakes are high; according to tournament regulations, the bottom three teams will be relegated from the A division.
Who are the candidates for the national team?
The coaching staff is evaluating a wide pool of talent currently playing both domestically and abroad. The list of candidates includes:
- International-based: Markuss Ķesteris, Niklāvs Veselovs, Ričards Aizpurs (all from “Stella Azurra,” Italy), Gustavs Brutāns, Rets Veinbergs (both from “Ulm,” Germany), Olivers Krilkovs (Kremonas “Vanoli,” Italy), Roberts Rotčenkovs (“Spanish BA,” Spain), and Gunārs Grīnvalds (Madrides “Real,” Spain).
- Latvia-based: Ralfs Mūrnieks (“Bertānu VBS”), Edvards Jonaitis, Edgars Lieķis, Roberts Valdis Bērziņš (all from “Liepāja”/LSSS), Raivo Kudrjavcevs (“Rīgas zeļļi”), Markuss Tēbelis, Ronijs Jeromanovs, Rihards Čerņevskis (all from Mārupes NSS/LU), Jēkabs Graudiņš (Ventspils “Spars”/VeA), and Ralfs Aleksandrovs (Gulbenes “Buki”/BJSS).
Watch the upcoming Madrid tournament closely. The integration of players from Spanish and Italian academies into the core group will be a deciding factor in how Latvia handles the physicality of Group D in the European Championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the European U18 Championship begin?
The championship is scheduled for late July in Trentino, Italy.
Which teams are in Latvia’s group for the European Championship?
Latvia will compete in Group D alongside Italy, Estonia, and Spain.
What happens if a team finishes in the bottom three of the tournament?
According to tournament rules, the teams finishing in the final three positions will lose their spot in the A division.
Stay updated on the progress of the Latvia U18 team as they prepare for the European Championship. Follow our sports coverage for more insights on national youth prospects.
