Latvia faced a challenging start to FIBA EuroBasket 2025, struggling through their first three games, making Monday’s 78-62 victory over Portugal a crucial boost for the team.
The win wasn’t just about improving their record to 2-2 or keeping Portugal at one win; it was about regaining confidence and fine-tuning their approach before the tournament’s most important games in a packed Arena Riga, where 11,000 fans once again filled the stands.
Turning Point
A single shot early in the game, making it 10-2 three minutes in, may not sound decisive on paper, but it proved pivotal for Latvia.
Kristaps Porzingis had missed his first 14 three-point attempts, but when his 15th shot finally fell, he could barely contain his joy, laughing and sharing the moment with the crowd.
That made a significant difference, opening the offense for Latvia and setting the stage for a dominant 27-7 second quarter that allowed them to cruise comfortably through the rest of the game.
TCL Player of the Game
Even on a night when his shots weren’t initially falling, Kristaps Porzingis showcased why he is Latvia’s superstar.
By halftime, he had already made five triples, finishing the game with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block in just 26 minutes. Latvia’s plus-minus with Porzingis on the floor was an impressive +25, proving his impact beyond raw scoring.
Stats Don’t Lie
Latvia’s shooting from beyond the arc was key. They made 10 of their first 17 three-pointers and finished the first half 11-of-21, including a near-miss full-court heave from Mareks Mejeris.
With 14 assists on 17 first-half field goals, their ball movement and offensive efficiency created a level of dominance that few teams in world basketball could match when firing on all cylinders.
Bottom Line
While the victory lifted Latvia to a 2-2 record, their spot in the Round of 16 is still contingent on other results, specifically Serbia defeating Czechia later in the day.
Coach Luca Banchi also faces significant challenges with injuries: Andrejs Grazulis sat out in street clothes with his right ankle in a boot, Arturs Zagars left after just five minutes, and Kristers Zoriks suffered an injury in the final minute of the game.
The severity of these injuries is still uncertain, but the outlook is concerning for the host nation.
Portugal, meanwhile, must win their final game against Estonia to keep their tournament hopes alive, with both sides currently sitting at 1-3. Neemias Queta once again led the Portuguese effort, posting 16 points and 7 rebounds.
They Said
“We are alive.” – Portugal head coach Mario Gomes, summarizing their tournament situation in three words, with hopes still intact for a Round of 16 berth
“We fought until the end. We had a good fourth quarter, and the Portugal team that played that quarter is the Portugal team that’s going to play on Wednesday. It’s a do-or-die game for us.” – Rafael Lisboa, Portugal, looking ahead to the must-win matchup with Estonia
“We have players like KP and Davis, who are capable of taking and scoring the shots from out of the human range.” – Latvia head coach Luca Banchi, explaining the team’s decision to attempt 40 three-pointers
“S*** can happen, and unfortunately, for us s*** is happening. Even too much. Too frequently.” – Banchi, on the string of injuries affecting Latvia during the tournament
Latvia 🇱🇻 grabs the important win in front of a sold-out crowd in Riga! #EuroBasket
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 1, 2025
