In Manila on Wednesday, Germany will present a formidable obstacle to a plac ein the semi-finals, with experienced NBA defender Dennis Schroeder a key opponent.
However, the Latvian team is on a wave, and a squad that few outside of the country gave much chance has now become one of the favorites after stunning victories over France, Spain and Brazil.
Lithuania 🇱🇹 and Latvia 🇱🇻 make up just 0.06% of the world's population, but their basketball teams make up 25% of the last eight.#FIBAWC x #WinForAll https://t.co/rTK7Fmf19K
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 4, 2023
In the absence of superstars such as Kristaps Porziņģis and Dairis Bertāns due to injury (though both remain to support the tight-knit squad) less well known players such as Artūrs Žagars and Kristers Zoriks have stepped forward and become stars in their own right.
The quarter-finals offer numerous tantalising match-ups, including Baltic neighbors Lithuania against Serbia and much-fancied Italy against the USA.
As well as advancing in this tournament, With the victory over Germany, the Latvian national team would guarantee a place at the Paris Olympic Games next year, if European teams lose in the quarter-final games against the USA and Canada.
32 national teams are participating in the World Cup final tournament, and the Latvian national team a debutant. The final will take place September 10 in Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
More details at the official FIBA World Cup site: https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023
