New Delhi
The air in Latvia is electric with celebration as the nation revels in a historic victory in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The Latvian team accomplished an extraordinary feat by eliminating France with a thrilling 88-86 win. This stunning turnaround, overcoming a 13-point deficit, ignited a wave of jubilation among Latvian supporters at the Indonesia Arena. For Latvia, this victory carries profound significance, ranking among their most notable achievements on the international basketball stage. Reflecting back to 1935, Latvia’s basketball legacy was inaugurated when they clinched the title of the first-ever FIBA EuroBasket champions, etching their name in history with this sole championship. Fast-forwarding to the present, Latvia is once again seizing the global basketball spotlight. Buoyed by their debut World Cup win, they have now elevated themselves to the Second Round by triumphing over France—an adversary that recently secured prominence as FIBA EuroBasket and Olympics runners-up. Davis Bertans, a pivotal figure in the Latvian team, exultantly shared his feelings, emphasizing the impact of the fans: Having this many fans in the building coming from Latvia making the long trip, getting a win like this against one of the top teams in the world and feeling like we’re playing at home. Overcoming hurdles such as the absence of star player Kristaps Porzingis and injuries affecting key members, Latvia defied all odds to secure this historic win. This remarkable feat adds another chapter to Latvia’s journey through the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers. As their World Cup expedition advances, the Latvian players remain resolute in their determination to maintain their impressive performance and achieve further triumphs on the grand stage of global basketball.
