Portugal beat Latvia 77-67 but failed to leapfrog them in the Group B table, leaving their hopes of reaching the next round hanging by a thread.

Needing to win by 15 plus points, the Portuguese stunned their opponents with a remarkable three-point shooting exhibition (nine of 18, 50%) and actually led 61-44 with 9:02 remaining in the game after a Paulo Cunha three-ball.

		Jorge Coehlo's 12 points and five rebounds helped lead Portugal.

But Kristaps Janicenoks replied with a three-pointer for Latvia to spark a 10-0 run for the Baltic country and they ultimately lost by 10.

“I wasn’t thinking about the 17-point margin when I took the shot,” Janicenoks said, “and I actually didn’t see the score.

“It’s just embarrassing to lose to Portugal. I think they were better than us in every position.”

Portugal left the cpurt still with a chance of advancing if Croatia were able to upset Spain.

That would leave Croatia and Spain at 2-1, and Latvia and the Portuguese at 1-2.

Portugal would advance by virtue of their win over Latvia.

Latvia had been one of the best three-point shooting teams in the competition, making 20 of 40 from long range before this game but against the Portuguese, they struggled.

By game’s end, they had hit just eight of 27 (30%).

Portugal set the tone early, opening up an 11-3 lead after a Francisco Jordao jump shot in the lane.

He would end up with 11 points and seven rebounds.

By the end of the opening quarter, they still led 17-9 after two free throws from Joao Gomes, which took his tally to eight in the period.

Latvia then scored nine straight points with Andris Biedrins’ dunk giving them an 18-17 advantage.

It did not deter Portugal, who maintained their focus and went to the changing rooms at half-time with a 28-24 lead.

The Iberian minnows managed to keep their noses in front but led only 45-44 after two Biedrins’ free throws with 2:20 to go in the third quarter.

Fernandez then stole the momentum back for Portugal, drilling a jumper outside the lane to spark a 10-0 which left the underdogs ahead 55-44 with 10 minutes to play.

Paulo Cunha’s three-ball stretched the lead to 17, but they couldn’t hold on to the advantage.

Portugal

Center Elvis Evora: “This is a special feeling winning our first game at the EuroBasket.”

“The other games we didn’t do so well, but we’re getting experience in this competition.

“Our goal was one win before the tournament, and we achieved that.

“This is a good feeling, it’s good for Portuguese basketball and I’m hoping that it happens over and over.”

Latvia

Center Andris Biedrins: “I think Portugal played really hard and well, and they had nothing to lose. I don’t think we prepared that well.

“I think we learned that we can’t underestimate anyone.”

Latvia may not have won their game against Spain on Tuesday, but they offered further evidence that they have all the makings of a team that can reach the latter stages of the EuroBasket.

The difference between this year’s side and those in the past is clearly the emergence of Andris Biedrins, their low post threat who never shied away from attacking the basket

		Elvis Evora will have to contain Biedrins if Portugal are to have any chance.

against the Spanish, even when going up against Pau Gasol.

The team has so many good shooters that opponents simply cannot afford to sag on defense to help out on Biedrins. If they do, the Latvians will bury three-pointers.

The Latvians go into Wednesday’s game against Portugal wanting to get the winning feeling back, and that should happen judging from Portugal’s heavy defeats to Spain and Croatia.

Last Time Out: Croatia defeated Portugal 90-68 while Spain pulled away from Latvia, 93-77.

Key Match-up: Elvis Evora of Portugal must put his body on Biedrins to allow his team-mates to extend to the perimeter and guard the Latvian shooters.

Key Stat: Latvia are shooting a hugely impressive 20 of 40 (50%) from three-point range.

X-Factor: Latvia’s Armands Skele is one of the most talented point guards in this competition and on a good night can be the best player on the floor.

Speaking out: “It was the great support of our fans and the team always managed to find a way out of the bad luck to keep the game interesting” – Latvia coach Karlis Muiznieks