On Saturday, August 30, the Latvian men’s national basketball team lost to Serbia in their third game of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 final tournament – 80:84 (18:22, 38:42, 56:67). After three rounds, Latvia has one win and shares 3rd-5th place in the group. On Monday, September 1, at 18:00, a crucial game awaits against Portugal in the battle for a ticket to the Round of 16.
GAME FLOW. 10:6 (4’), 15:14 (7’), 18:25 (12’), 29:28 (15’), 33:42 (19’), 42:44 (23’), 52:63 (29’), 63:75 (35’), 75:79 (39’), 80:82 (40’), 80:84.
Latvia opened with its most energetic start of the championship, keeping the score balanced throughout the first half with accurate three-point shooting (8/18). In the third quarter, the long-range shots dried up (0/3), while Serbia skillfully used Nikola Jokić’s unique mastery and Marko Gudurić’s talent in half-court play. In the final quarter, Latvia’s offense was more diverse and accurate, but a full comeback was out of reach.
TURNING POINT. Early in the fourth quarter, several good looks didn’t fall, and after 63:70, the score stretched to 63:75. In the last minute, at 80:82, Jokić drew fouls in a battle for position and sealed the game from the free-throw line.
NUMBERS. Three-pointers: 12/31 – 8/20. Free throws: 22/23 – 18/18. Rebounds: 32 – 39.
Nikola Jokić had 39 points (including 5 decisive ones in the closing stretch – 2pt 14/22, 3pt 1/4, FT 8/8) and 10 rebounds.
For Latvia, the standouts were Dāvis Bertāns (16 pts + 10 reb; efficiency 21), Kristaps Porziņģis (14 pts + 6 reb + 3 blocks; 20), and Rihards Lomažs (13 pts + 4 ast + 4 reb; 15).
CONTEXT. Serbia has already secured its place in the Round of 16, while Latvia’s fight continues. Estonia’s win over the Czech Republic (89:75) reduced the number of real contenders in the Riga group to five, eliminating the Czechs. This further increases the importance of Monday’s Latvia-Portugal game: a Latvian victory would very likely secure 3rd place.
QUOTES.
Latvia head coach Luca Banchi: “A good game, a painful loss. In difficult moments we kept believing, fighting, looking for opportunities, and earned the support of our fans. Now we’ll focus on the next game.”
Dāvis Bertāns: “I’m proud of how we kept fighting even when the gap was 10–12 points. We couldn’t fully stop Nikola Jokić, who may be the best basketball player in the world, but we gave ourselves a chance to compete for the win until the very end.”
Serbia head coach Svetislav Pešić: “The game was just as we expected – good basketball from both teams, a tough battle. From the middle of the first quarter onward, we more or less controlled the game. Our perfect free-throw shooting reflects the high level of concentration.”
OTHER GROUPS. In Tampere, Germany convincingly defeated Lithuania (108:89) in a clash of favorites, strengthening their claim for 1st place in the group. In Katowice, Slovenia led for a long time against France but suffered a second defeat (95:103). Luka Dončić posted 39 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds.
Latvian team delegation head Emīls Toms informed that Andrejs Gražulis injured his foot in the game against Serbia and will not continue in the European Championship.
Source: basket.lv
