Has there ever been a national team filled with more angst and more heartache than Croatia in 2005 after their EuroBasket defeat to Spain?
Looking like a side that could go on to win gold after upsetting Italy in the elimination round, Neven Spahija’s team lost in overtime to a Pau Gasol-less Spain, 101-85.
There was outrage in the Croatia camp after that quarter-final setback due to the huge disparity in fouls called on the night. Thirty-eight were called against them compared to just 14 against the Spanish.
There are some holdovers in the national side from 2005 but center Nikola Vujcic - the captain that year and possibly their most important player - has yet to return to the national team. Gordan Giricek is also not in this year’s squad.
Now in charge of Croatia is the cool, calm and collected Jasmin Repesa, one of the best coaches in the world who always seems to get the most out of any team he is put in charge of. Maybe this team - rather than Spain - will finish top of Group B.
Latvia may be a tiny country but they play great basketball. They failed to progress from the
 | ||||
| Biedrins will be at the heart of Latvia's offense | ||||
Last Time Out: Croatia won the Efes Pilsen World Cup, beating Turkey twice – including a 77-69 win in the final. Latvia struggled in the same tournament but ended on a high note, beating China 100-78.
Key Match-up: Center Andris Biedrins brings a new dimension to the Latvian team with his shot-blocking, rebounding and scoring. Mario Kasun of Croatia was dominant against Spain in that infamous quarter-final two years ago before getting hurt and being forced to leave the game. What will prove the difference in this game: Kasun's brawn or the talent of Biedrins? That should be intriguing.
Statistics: How committed will Latvia be to getting the ball inside to Biedrins? Very. They will look to feed him as much as possible and if he gets a lot of touches early and is successful, that will be good news for Latvia. If the Croatians double-team the 208cm center, then Latvia's jump shooters will have to be on target. The important stat for Croatia is rebounding. They have to make sure to keep Biedrins off the boards.
X-Factor: Croatia guard Marko Popovic is capable of erupting for 20 to 30 points and taking over a game.
What It Means: Confidence is a funny thing. If Latvia win this game, they would be sky high to face Spain and then Portugal. Why does that matter? “Latvia wouldn’t have a chance against Spain,” you might be thinking. Two years ago in Serbia, Latvia took Spain to overtime before losing 114-109 and yes, that Latvian team did not have Biedrins.
Speaking out: "It’s my first year with the national team but we have great guys. We have a really great team. I think we have pretty good chance but of course, it’s up to us." – Latvia center Andris Biedrins.
