The Russian team started the stronger and led for much of the match but as the game progressed the Latvian team gained in speed, precision and tactical nous despite an injury to Edgars Krūmiņš that saw him repeatedly patching himself up on the sidelines as he urged his teammates on.
The names of Krūmiņš plus Agnis Čavars, Nauris Miezis and Kārlis Lasmanis now go into the history books among the select group of Latvian Olympic gold winners.
With pretty much the whole country watching the match, it didn't take long for the congratulations to start pouring in, led by former President Raimonds Vējonis, who has been a champion of the 3x3 format in his role as president of the Latvian Basketball Association. "You are our heroes!" he said.
Paldies par uzvaru, sevis nesaudzēšanu laukumā, sportisko niknumu un mīlestību uz 3x3 basketbola spēli! Jūs radījāt emocijas un iedvesmojāt! Paldies! Jūs esat mūsu varoņi! Ar jums lepojas visa Latvija! Šodien visi svinam un gaidam jūs mājās! pic.twitter.com/kDBCG2KzXI
— Raimonds Vējonis (@Vejonis) July 28, 2021
Serbia took the bronze medal after defeating Belgium in the third-place play-off. Meanwhile the United States defeated the Russian Olympic Committee team to claim gold in the women's competition.
