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| Kaspars Cipruss | ||||
In the over 70 years since the first EuroBasket, only 10 nations have won a European Championship title and Latvia is proud to be part of that list. In 1935, in Geneva, the Latvians won battles against Hungary (46-12), Switzerland (28-19) and Spain (24-18) to bring back the trophy to Riga. Four years later, in Kaunas, the Latvian National Team won a silver medal after losing to Lithuania (36-37) in the decisive game. À few months later, World War II began and the Soviet Army occupied Latvia, an occupation that lasted for more than 50 years. So it was just in 1993 that the Latvian National Team once again had the chance to participate in EuroBasket under its own flag and though much had changed in 50 years, their return was not without highlights as they managed a 10th place finish that included wins over Italy and Israel. They did even better in 2001, when Latvia upset their powerful neighbour Lithuania, 94-76, in the Eighth-final. Even with three loses in the quarter-finals and classification games could not quell the happiness of Latvian basketball fans over their team’s 8th place finish.
Biggest EuroBasket Disaster
The biggest disaster for Latvia was the failure the National Team encountered in the summer of 1937. The preparations for this 2nd European Championship were very serious with an old factory in Riga transformed into a modern sport hall able to host 3,000 fans. After their success in 1953, every Latvian was expecting their team to bring home a second straight title. Unfortunately, after a surprising loss against rival Poland, the home team didn't manage to qualify for the semi-finals and finished in sixth place. Since independence in the early nineties, Latvia's achievements have been modest. The country qualified for EuroBasket five times, but in 1997, 2003 and 2005 the Red-White-Red team returned home without a victory. The bitterest failure came in 2005. Some weeks before the EuroBasket, the Latvian National Team won games against Italy, Croatia and future champions Greece in preparation games. Even more interesting, in the opening game of the tournament, Latvia pushed Spain into overtime before being beaten 114-109. But in a crucial game against Israel, the Latvians couldn't manage to produce the same quality basketball they'd shown during the previous weeks and fell 74-65. In the end, they managed only a 14th place finish.
Best Individual Performance/Best Player of All-Time
44 points in an entire tournament and 11 points the final game are not the kind of numbers that raise eyebrows in modern basketball. But in 1935 this performances resulted in most observers considering Rudolfs Jurcins as the best player of the first European Championship. Jurcins was a center just a bit under 1.90 m, but he was the bright leader of the Latvian team. Eight Latvians, including impressive center Janis Krumins (2.18 m, known at the time as Vladimir Kruminch), and brilliant point guard Maigonis Valdmanis won the European Championship with the Soviet Union numerous times between 1953 and 1985. The best individual performance came from point guard Valdis Valters, who was the best player of the 1981 EuroBasket. He was also elected to the All-Tournament first team in 1985. Scoring has never been a problem for the Latvians. In 1993 shooting guard Karlis Muiznieks was one of the top scorers in tournament at 24.0 points per game and in 1997 small forward Ainars Bagatskis was the second leading scorer of the tournament at 21.4 points per contest. In 2001 it was powerful center Kaspars Kambala who led the way finishing fifth in scoring with 19.0 points per game and the fourth in rebounding at 9.0 boards per game.
Scouting Report
The Latvian National Team’s traditional weapons are quality fast breaks and outstanding perimeter shooting. Usually, at least four of the players on the court can hit from three-point range and this style of play causes opponents a lot of problems. Unfortunately, without enough power and size inside, Latvia's offense has a tendency to be one-dimensional and therefore unpredictable. During the qualification games, Kaspars Cipruss showed some good form (14.3 ppg), while Raitis Grafs was dangerous at times as well. But a lot will depend upon a good contribution from young center Andris Biedrins (2.11 m, 21 years of age) who plays for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Biedrins must become the cornerstone of the team on both sides of the court if they are to be successful. His size may help in offsetting their disadvantage at the forward positions where the Latvians are traditionally undersized and so Latvia must be faster and tactically smarter than their opponents.
Prediction
After two straight EuroBaskets that ended without a win, the Latvian National Team seem to have a good chance to qualify for the second round. After the draw the Latvian press took two different angles on their group. On the one hand, Latvia must face two very strong opponents in current World Champions and host Spain and Croatia, a team that has beaten the Latvians six times in six official games since 1993. On the other hand, the National Team only has to get by Portugal to reach the second round, a country that Latvia has beaten all six times they have played.
However, historical statistics won't matter that much in Sevilla. Good preparation and management to come with all their best players fit and ready to go will be the most important thing. If Andris Biedrins does in fact participate, point guard Kristaps Valters and other perimeter players are healthy and in good shape and the coach can implement his "fast-and-smart" basketball, then Latvia may be able to make-up for its deficiency of bright stars. If that happens, then Latvia can be a dangerous opponent, not only for Portugal, but for the top teams as well.
Likely Squad
Latvia is not very rich with international basketball stars. Therefore, the roster for the final tournament will not be very different from the team who finished in second place in the Qualifying tournament. If Latvia can avoid injuries, the outside players should be brothers Kristaps and Sandis Valters, Kristaps Janicenoks, Armands Shkele, Janis Blums and Aigars Vitols. Inside, Uvis Helmanis, centers Kaspars Cipruss and Raitis Grafs will go to Sevilla. As for the new generation, a special place in the squad will be offered to Andris Biedrins, who has had a good season in the NBA. Some free spots in the roster will go to the other young players who will try to show their best during more than ten preparations games before the EuroBasket.
Last 10 Events
2006 - World Championship Saitama, Did not qualify
2005 - EuroBasket Belgrade, 13th-16th
2004 - Olympics Athens, Did not qualify
2003 - EuroBasket Stockholm, 13th-16th
2002 - World Championship Indianapolis, Did not qualify
2001 - EuroBasket Istanbul, 8th
2000 - Olympics Sydney, Did not qualify
1999 - EuroBasket Paris, Did not qualify
1998 - World Championship Athens, Did not qualify
1997 - EuroBasket Barcelona, 16th
