Riga,Latvia – August 27,2023 – The Latvian national basketball team secured a hard-fought ‍victory against Estonia with⁤ a final score of 73-66 in a FIBA‍ World cup 2023 Group A match held in Riga. despite a challenging start, Latvia managed to pull ahead, fueled‌ by improved shooting in the second half.

Latvian player Bertāns acknowledged the team’s ⁣initial⁣ struggles, stating, “If you had scored those free ‌shots in ⁣the ⁢first half, it would be a little easier. It’s not easy to win such a game.” He noted the impact of three-point​ shooting, with several successful shots in ‌both the first and second ⁢quarters contributing to the game’s momentum. “There were a lot of three-point shots, four or five in the⁤ first quarter. Then, for the second half, some shots‍ fell, and the game went a little easier. It is indeed a pleasure that we can win the‍ game on ⁢the day when the shots were not.”

The arena was filled with supporters from both nations, creating ‌a lively atmosphere. Bertāns commented that the enthusiastic crowd did not substantially disrupt the team’s focus. “There was really a pretty pleasant atmosphere on both sides. I can also congratulate the estonians on a good game, fans on both sides ⁤were engaging.”

Bertāns also highlighted the team’s strong cohesion and understanding. “We’ve‌ all played together for so long, at some point, the focus was missing somewhere, we changed where we didn’t need to change. It⁤ wasn’t so much about communication. We certainly ⁣know what we are doing, and its communication is almost telepathic.”

Upcoming schedule for Latvia

The Latvian national team will continue its FIBA World Cup 2023 campaign with the following matches in Group A, all held in ‌Riga:

• August ⁢30: Latvia vs. Serbia
• September ‍1: Latvia vs. Portugal
• September 3: Latvia vs. Czech Republic