Following victories for both Latvia and Lithuania on September 7, the fifth-place playoff on Saturday, September 9 will be contested by the Baltic neighbors in what promises to be a colorful, loud and highly enjoyable celebration of two small countries' big basketball hearts.
Latvia beat Italy 87:82 on Thursday and Lithuania beat Slovenia 100:84 to set up Saturday's all-Baltic bonanza. The winners will finish the tournament in fifth place, with the losers sixth. Slovenia and Italy will also meet on Saturday to decide 7th and 8th places.
The Latvia v Lithuania match takes place in Manila at 15:30 Baltic time (20:30 local time).
Baltic brothers together 🇱🇻🇱🇹#FIBAWC x #WinForAll
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 7, 2023
Anticipation of the game has reached the highest levels, with messages exchanged between the Latvian and Lithuanian presidents.
Dear President, braļukas @edgarsrinkevics, nothing can break Baltic unity! 🇱🇹🇱🇻
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) September 8, 2023
Saturday will be a celebration of a beautiful basketball played by brothers and friends.
Next time we should meet in the finals! https://t.co/0pu3hDeWqz
Usually, basketball-mad Lithuania would be regarded as the favorites for a win between the two teams, but such has been Latvia's recent form that bookmakers are making them the favorites for a win and Baltic bragging rights. Regardless of the result, an arena packed with cheering Latvian and Lithuanian fans should mean basketball itself is the real winner.
Regardless of Saturday's result, a special welcome home event for the team has been confirmed. It will take place at the Freedom Monument in central Rīga at 17:30 on Monday.
Sagaidīsim mūsu basketbolistus mājās! Pirmdien, 11. septembrī, plkst. 17.30 pulcēsimies pie Brīvības pieminekļa, lai sagaidītu un ar skaļām ovācijām visi kopā sveiktu Latvijas basketbola valstsvienību no Pasaules kausa basketbolā! Mēs par savējiem! pic.twitter.com/GBLSB99G4S
— Rīga (@RigasDome) September 7, 2023
