And the dream team continued to play like men possessed, emerging victorious 74:69 on Friday, and the victory over the current champions strengthens the team's chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup finals.
The most productive for the winners was Dāvis Bertāns, who scored 16 points, while Rodions Kurucs collected 13 points.
LATVIA BRING DOWN THE REIGNING WORLD CHAMPS 🤯#FIBAWC x #WinForLatvia 🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/NsA4ygZqYt
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 1, 2023
The Latvian national team will conclude the second group round on Sunday against the national team of Brazil. The Brazilians will still play against the Canadian national team on Friday.
Latvia is at its first World Cup, and is already deeper into the tournament than many people expected. In the first group round, the Latvian national team defeated Lebanon and then sensationally defeated the French national team, but lost to Canada, looking completely at home among the elite teams.
Now Latvia is part of a new group with Canada, Spain and Brazil, though under the tournament structure wins and losses are carried forward from the first round. As Latvia has already played Canada, they will not clash again in this round.
📺 The Cinderella story continues for Latvia, as they bring down Spain in the second round. 🇱🇻#FIBAWC x #WinForLatvia pic.twitter.com/6mI2kXpL2J
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 1, 2023
The two strongest teams in the group will enter the playoffs and go to the quarter-finals in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The final will take place on September 10 in Manila.
As Latvian Television reported, both Spain and Latvia have Italian coaches, and Spain coach Sergio Scariolo expressed admiration and respect for Latvia's Luca Banchi in a pre-match press briefing.
More details at the official FIBA World Cup site: https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023
