The Latvian women’s basketball team opened the second stage of the 2027 European Championship qualification with an 81:66 road victory over Austria on Monday.
This result marks the team’s sixth win in seven qualifying matches, according to Sportacentrs.com. The squad has won three of its four away games during this period.
Latvia led throughout the contest in Vienna, establishing a 19:15 advantage after the first quarter and extending the gap to 39:34 by halftime. During the first ten minutes, the visitors did not reach the free-throw line. The lead reached double digits for the first time in the second quarter.
The team’s dominance grew in the second half, with the lead expanding to as many as 22 points at one stage. In the final minutes of the third quarter, Latvia held a 14-point advantage, 65:51, following a point from Mila Luzgina. Later, a basket by Kate Vilka and an assist to Aleksa Gulbe extended the lead to 70:51.
Kate Vilka led the Latvian scoring effort with 18 points, making two of three two-pointers, three of eight three-pointers, and five of eight free throws, and recording four rebounds, according to Sportacentrs.com. Aleksa Gulbe contributed 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four blocked shots, while Ieva Pulvere and Digna Strautmane each added nine points, as reported by Diena.
Pulvere also recorded five assists. Kitija Laksa and Vanesa Jasa each scored eight points. Paula Strautmane added six points, Nikola Priede scored four, Elizabete Bulāne and Laura Meldere scored two, and Mila Luzgina scored one. All 11 players who entered the court for Latvia recorded at least one point.
For Austria, Sara Sagerer finished with 16 points and six rebounds, while Sigrid Koizar added 12 points and five assists. Commissioner Nina Basovič from Bosnia oversaw the match.
Coaches Select 12 Players for Vienna Game
Head coach Matīss Rožlapa, assisted by Kaspars Mājenieks, Rūdolfs Rozītis, and Ilze Ose-Hlebovicka, selected 12 of the 15 players who traveled to Vienna for the game. The selection included European qualification debutants Nikola Priede and Mila Luzgina. Marta Miščenko, Enija Ķīvīte, and Kristīne Moora did not participate in the match, as noted by Diena.
The roster included Kristīne Moora, a 26-year-old playing in Poland who received her first national team call-up.
Latvia Faces Slovenia and Italy in Group K
Latvia currently competes in Group K alongside Austria, Slovenia, and Italy. The top two teams from the group will earn spots in the 2027 European Championship finial tournament, which is scheduled for June 2027 in Belgium, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden. The qualification process requires Latvia to face Slovenia on the road this Saturday. Following that, the team will host Italy on Tuesday. Return matches will be played in February of next year.
Common Questions Regarding the Qualification
How does the qualification format work for the 2027 European Championship?
Teams are organized into groups and play a double round-robin format, with each team playing opponents once at home and once away. The two best-performing teams from each group qualify for the final tournament.
What is the significance of the upcoming games in Group K?
After facing Austria, Latvia must play Slovenia and Italy. Currently, Latvia is ranked third in the group.
Where will the final tournament take place?
The 2027 European Championship will be hosted by Belgium, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden. The final elimination rounds, which also serve as qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic qualification tournament, will be held in Vilnius.
Latvia will play its next qualification match against Slovenia on Saturday.
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