Latvia hosted Lithuania at Rīga’s Xiaomi Arena in a highly anticipated friendly ahead of EuroBasket 2025. The storied Baltic rivalry – as intense off the court as it is on – did not disappoint, delivering an electrifying performance that extended into overtime. Lithuania ultimately edged out Latvia with a 109-105 victory, reflecting the narrow margin and high stakes evident throughout the match.
Lithuania’s win was fueled by a standout performance from Rokas Jokubaitis, who contributed 20 points and 7 assists, while Jonas Valančiūnas added 16, and Deividas Sirvydis chipped in with 15 points. On the Latvian side, the offensive load was borne by Rihards Lomažs, who scored 27 points and handed out 8 assists, with Kristaps Porziņģis powering the team with 22 points.
Beyond the thrilling finish, the matchup served as a crucial benchmark for both sides looking to refine their tactics ahead of EuroBasket 2025. Latvia, ranked 9th in FIBA, and Lithuania, 10th, both approached the game with clear ambitions – hosts Latvia eager to capitalize on home advantage, and rising Lithuania under new coach Rimas Kurtinaitis aiming for a top-five finish in the tournament.
