Latvia national basketball team
Encyclopedia
The Latvian national basketball team is the basketball side that represents Latvia
in international competitions.
held by the International Basketball Federation
's FIBA Europe
continental federation. They defeated Hungary
in the preliminary round, Switzerland
in the semifinals, and Spain
in the final to finish atop the ten-nation field. Latvia is one of eight nations that originally founded FIBA in 1932.
Latvia held their opponents to 49 points over three games, the lowest points-against average in the tournament. Their scoring rate, 98 points over three games for 32.67 points per game, was second only to France
.
, which they hosted. Their 32–25 loss to Poland
in the preliminary round put them in a three-way tie for the lead of the four-team group; Latvia came out on the bottom of the tie-breaker against Poland and France
. This result came about despite the Latvians being the highest-scoring team in the entire tournament and allowing fewer opponent points than any of the other teams in their group.
Being in the bottom half of the preliminary group meant that the team could finish no better than fifth. In the classification semifinal, Latvia faced Egypt
, which had withdrawn after their first two preliminary matches. They advanced to the 5th/6th playoff, which they lost to Estonia
41–19.
, despite losing twice, including a rematch of the 1937 final against Estonia and the game against eventual champions Lithuania
, Latvia had five wins, which were enough to secure second place, since only Poland also had a 5–2 record. Latvia had won their game against Poland, thus they received the silver medal
whilst Poland took the bronze
.
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Head coach
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Legend:
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Rudolfs Jurcins, Herberts Gulbins, Dzems Raudzins, Visvaldis Melderis, Martins Grundmanis, Eduards Andersons, Aleksejs Anufrijevs, Janis Lidmanis, Hudins (Coach: Valdemars Baumanis)
1936 Olympic Games: finished 18th among 21 teams
Rudolfs Jurcins, Visvaldis Melderis, Martins Grundmanis, Dzems Raudzins, Eduards Andersons, Maksis Kazaks, V.Helmuts (Coach: Valdemars Baumanis)
1937 EuroBasket: finished 6th among 8 teams
Rudolfs Jurcins, Martins Grundmanis, Eduards Andersons, Visvaldis Melderis, Dzems Raudzins, Aleksejs Anufrijevs, Aleksandrs Martinsons, Voldemars Smits, Janis Jansons, Andrejs Krisons (Coach: Adolfs Grasis)
1939 EuroBasket: finished 2nd among 8 teams
Visvaldis Melderis, Maksis Kazaks, Voldemars Smits, Karlis Arents, Juris Solovjovs, Karlis Satins, Aleksandrs Vanags, Alfreds Krauklis, Teodors Grinbergs, Janis Graudins (Coach: Valdemars Baumanis)
1993 EuroBasket: finished 10th among 16 teams
Ainars Bagatskis, Raimonds Miglinieks, Karlis Muiznieks, Andrejs Bondarenko, Aigars Zeidaks, Edmunds Valeiko, Igors Melniks, Edgars Sneps, Janis Azacis, Ivars Zankovskis, Dzintars Jaunzems, Ivars Liepa (Coach: Armands Kraulins)
1997 EuroBasket: finished 16th among 16 teams
Roberts Stelmahers, Ainars Bagatskis, Uvis Helmanis, Raimonds Miglinieks, Edmunds Valeiko, Karlis Muiznieks, Andrejs Bondarenko, Igors Melniks, Edgars Sneps, Ivars Liepa, Ralfs Jansons, Janis Azacis (Coach: Igors Miglinieks)
2001 EuroBasket: finished 8th among 16 teams
Kaspars Kambala, Raimonds Miglinieks, Uvis Helmanis, Roberts Stelmahers, Ainars Bagatskis, Kristaps Valters, Edmunds Valeiko, Kaspars Cipruss, Raitis Grafs, Arnis Vecvagars, Aigars Vitols, Maris Laksa (Coach: Armands Kraulins)
2003 EuroBasket: finished 13th among 16 teams
Kaspars Kambala, Roberts Stelmahers, Ainars Bagatskis, Uvis Helmanis, Armands Skele, Kristaps Valters, Trojs Ostlers, Aigars Vitols, Edgars Sneps, Raitis Grafs, Arnis Vecvagars, Maris Laksa (Coach: Armands Kraulins)
2005 EuroBasket: finished 14th among 16 teams
Roberts Stelmahers, Uvis Helmanis, Sandis Valters, Kristaps Valters, Armands Skele, Janis Blums, Martins Skirmants, Raitis Grafs, Kaspars Cipruss, Aigars Vitols, Kristaps Janicenoks, Ivars Timermanis (Coach: Karlis Muiznieks)
2007 EuroBasket: finished 13th among 16 teams
Andris Biedriņš
, Armands Šķēle
, Uvis Helmanis, Janis Blums, Sandis Valters
, Aigars Vitols, Kaspars Cipruss, Kristaps Janicenoks, Raitis Grafs, Pavels Veselovs, Raimonds Vaikulis, Gatis Jahovics (Coach: Karlis Muiznieks)
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
in international competitions.
EuroBasket 1935
The Latvians won the first European basketball championship, the EuroBasket 1935Eurobasket 1935
The 1935 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1935, was the first Eurobasket regional championship held by FIBA Europe as well as a test event preceding the first Olympic basketball tournament at the 1936 Summer Olympics. Ten national teams affiliated with the International...
held by the International Basketball Federation
International Basketball Federation
The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known as FIBA , from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball...
's FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
continental federation. They defeated Hungary
Hungary national basketball team
The Hungarian national basketball team is the basketball team that represents Hungary in international competitions.-Medals:*Eurobasket 1946 - Bronze medal*Eurobasket 1953 - Silver medal*Eurobasket 1955 - Champions-Eurobasket 1935:...
in the preliminary round, Switzerland
Switzerland national basketball team
The Swiss national basketball team is the basketball side that represents Switzerland in international competitions. They are usually seen as a minor team. Switzerland entered five times EuroBasket, having their best result as 4 th place at the first edition, in 1935...
in the semifinals, and Spain
Spain national basketball team
The Spanish national basketball team is the basketball team representing Spain in international competitions, organized and run by the Spanish Basketball Federation...
in the final to finish atop the ten-nation field. Latvia is one of eight nations that originally founded FIBA in 1932.
Latvia held their opponents to 49 points over three games, the lowest points-against average in the tournament. Their scoring rate, 98 points over three games for 32.67 points per game, was second only to France
France national basketball team
The French national basketball team is the national basketball team representing France. It is administrated by the Fédération Française de Basket-Ball . The team has been competitive, but has yet to win a major international tournament...
.
EuroBasket 1937
The reigning champions finished in a relatively disappointing sixth place in the second European championship, EuroBasket 1937Eurobasket 1937
The 1937 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1937, was the second regional championship held by FIBA Europe. Eight national teams affiliated with the International Basketball Federation took part in the competition. Defending champions Latvia hosted the tournament, held...
, which they hosted. Their 32–25 loss to Poland
Poland national basketball team
The Polish national basketball team is the national basketball side that represents Poland in international competitions. It is administrated by the Polski Związek Koszykówki...
in the preliminary round put them in a three-way tie for the lead of the four-team group; Latvia came out on the bottom of the tie-breaker against Poland and France
France national basketball team
The French national basketball team is the national basketball team representing France. It is administrated by the Fédération Française de Basket-Ball . The team has been competitive, but has yet to win a major international tournament...
. This result came about despite the Latvians being the highest-scoring team in the entire tournament and allowing fewer opponent points than any of the other teams in their group.
Being in the bottom half of the preliminary group meant that the team could finish no better than fifth. In the classification semifinal, Latvia faced Egypt
Egypt national basketball team
The Egypt national basketball team is the basketball side that represents Egypt in international competitions.-Eurobasket 1937:The Egyptians finished last at the second European basketball championship, the Eurobasket 1937 held by FIBA Europe continental federation...
, which had withdrawn after their first two preliminary matches. They advanced to the 5th/6th playoff, which they lost to Estonia
Estonia national basketball team
The Estonian National Basketball Team is the basketball team that represents Estonia in international competitions.-Eurobasket 1937:The Estonians took fifth place, with an overall record of 3–2, at the second European basketball championship, the Eurobasket 1937 held by the International Basketball...
41–19.
EuroBasket 1939
In 1939Eurobasket 1939
The 1939 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1939, was the third regional championship held by FIBA Europe. Eight national teams affiliated with the International Basketball Federation took part in the competition...
, despite losing twice, including a rematch of the 1937 final against Estonia and the game against eventual champions Lithuania
Lithuania national basketball team
The Lithuanian national basketball team is the representative for Lithuania in international men's basketball. Lithuania won bronze medals in three out of five Olympic tournaments it participated in....
, Latvia had five wins, which were enough to secure second place, since only Poland also had a 5–2 record. Latvia had won their game against Poland, thus they received the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
whilst Poland took the bronze
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
.
Current roster
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Head coach
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Legend:
- (C) Team captain
- Club field describes current pro club
- nat field describes country
of last club
before the tournament - Age field is age on August 31, 2011
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Past rosters
1935 EuroBasket: finished 1st among 10 teamsRudolfs Jurcins, Herberts Gulbins, Dzems Raudzins, Visvaldis Melderis, Martins Grundmanis, Eduards Andersons, Aleksejs Anufrijevs, Janis Lidmanis, Hudins (Coach: Valdemars Baumanis)
1936 Olympic Games: finished 18th among 21 teams
Rudolfs Jurcins, Visvaldis Melderis, Martins Grundmanis, Dzems Raudzins, Eduards Andersons, Maksis Kazaks, V.Helmuts (Coach: Valdemars Baumanis)
1937 EuroBasket: finished 6th among 8 teams
Rudolfs Jurcins, Martins Grundmanis, Eduards Andersons, Visvaldis Melderis, Dzems Raudzins, Aleksejs Anufrijevs, Aleksandrs Martinsons, Voldemars Smits, Janis Jansons, Andrejs Krisons (Coach: Adolfs Grasis)
1939 EuroBasket: finished 2nd among 8 teams
Visvaldis Melderis, Maksis Kazaks, Voldemars Smits, Karlis Arents, Juris Solovjovs, Karlis Satins, Aleksandrs Vanags, Alfreds Krauklis, Teodors Grinbergs, Janis Graudins (Coach: Valdemars Baumanis)
1993 EuroBasket: finished 10th among 16 teams
Ainars Bagatskis, Raimonds Miglinieks, Karlis Muiznieks, Andrejs Bondarenko, Aigars Zeidaks, Edmunds Valeiko, Igors Melniks, Edgars Sneps, Janis Azacis, Ivars Zankovskis, Dzintars Jaunzems, Ivars Liepa (Coach: Armands Kraulins)
1997 EuroBasket: finished 16th among 16 teams
Roberts Stelmahers, Ainars Bagatskis, Uvis Helmanis, Raimonds Miglinieks, Edmunds Valeiko, Karlis Muiznieks, Andrejs Bondarenko, Igors Melniks, Edgars Sneps, Ivars Liepa, Ralfs Jansons, Janis Azacis (Coach: Igors Miglinieks)
2001 EuroBasket: finished 8th among 16 teams
Kaspars Kambala, Raimonds Miglinieks, Uvis Helmanis, Roberts Stelmahers, Ainars Bagatskis, Kristaps Valters, Edmunds Valeiko, Kaspars Cipruss, Raitis Grafs, Arnis Vecvagars, Aigars Vitols, Maris Laksa (Coach: Armands Kraulins)
2003 EuroBasket: finished 13th among 16 teams
Kaspars Kambala, Roberts Stelmahers, Ainars Bagatskis, Uvis Helmanis, Armands Skele, Kristaps Valters, Trojs Ostlers, Aigars Vitols, Edgars Sneps, Raitis Grafs, Arnis Vecvagars, Maris Laksa (Coach: Armands Kraulins)
2005 EuroBasket: finished 14th among 16 teams
Roberts Stelmahers, Uvis Helmanis, Sandis Valters, Kristaps Valters, Armands Skele, Janis Blums, Martins Skirmants, Raitis Grafs, Kaspars Cipruss, Aigars Vitols, Kristaps Janicenoks, Ivars Timermanis (Coach: Karlis Muiznieks)
2007 EuroBasket: finished 13th among 16 teams
Andris Biedriņš
Andris Biedrinš
Andris Biedriņš is a Latvian professional basketball player who plays the power forward and center positions for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He was drafted by the Warriors with the 11th overall selection in the 2004 NBA Draft.-FIBA career:...
, Armands Šķēle
Armands Skele
Armands Šķēle is a Latvian professional basketball shooting guard, who plays for BC Kalev/Cramo.-Pro career:In 2008, with the Barons, he won the EuroCup and the Latvian Basketball League championship. He is a member of the Latvian national basketball team.Skele's biggest strength is his scoring...
, Uvis Helmanis, Janis Blums, Sandis Valters
Sandis Valters
Sandis Valters is a Latvian professional basketball shooting guard, who plays for BK VEF Rīga. He is member of Latvia national basketball team....
, Aigars Vitols, Kaspars Cipruss, Kristaps Janicenoks, Raitis Grafs, Pavels Veselovs, Raimonds Vaikulis, Gatis Jahovics (Coach: Karlis Muiznieks)
Notable players
- Andris BiedriņšAndris BiedrinšAndris Biedriņš is a Latvian professional basketball player who plays the power forward and center positions for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He was drafted by the Warriors with the 11th overall selection in the 2004 NBA Draft.-FIBA career:...
- Kaspars KambalaKaspars KambalaKaspars Kambala is a Latvian professional basketball player and a former professional boxer. He is 2.06 meters tall and he weighs 125 kilograms...
- Ainars BagatskisAinars BagatskisAinars Bagatskis is a retired Latvian professional basketball player, who played at the Small Forward position.Bagatskis was a member of the Latvia national basketball team from 1992 to 2006 participating in four EuroBasket final tournaments.Bagatskis is currently a Latvia national basketball team...
- Valdis ValtersValdis ValtersValdis Valters is a retired Latvian basketball player.A point guard for the USSR, he is regarded as one of the greatest to have played the game in Europe in the 1980s....
Performance at Eurobasket
| Year | Position | Host |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 1  |
EuroBasket 1935 Eurobasket 1935 The 1935 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1935, was the first Eurobasket regional championship held by FIBA Europe as well as a test event preceding the first Olympic basketball tournament at the 1936 Summer Olympics. Ten national teams affiliated with the International... |
| 1937 | 6 | EuroBasket 1937 Eurobasket 1937 The 1937 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1937, was the second regional championship held by FIBA Europe. Eight national teams affiliated with the International Basketball Federation took part in the competition. Defending champions Latvia hosted the tournament, held... |
| 1939 | 2  |
EuroBasket 1939 Eurobasket 1939 The 1939 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1939, was the third regional championship held by FIBA Europe. Eight national teams affiliated with the International Basketball Federation took part in the competition... |
| 1993 | 10 | EuroBasket 1993 EuroBasket 1993 -Venues:-First round:-A - Karlsruhe:-B - Berlin:-C - Karlsruhe:-D - Berlin:-Second round:-E - Karlsruhe:-F - Berlin:-Finals in Munich:-Places 5-8 in Munich:-Finals in Munich:-Final rankings:# # #... |
| 1995 | – | EuroBasket 1995 EuroBasket 1995 EuroBasket 1995 final tournament stage was XXIX European basketball championship and was held in Athens, Greece from 21 June to 2 July, 1995. This European championship was the first one that saw the successful return of Lithuania national basketball team to the tournament, since its last triumph... |
| 1997 | 16 | EuroBasket 1997 EuroBasket 1997 -Venues:The tournament was played at three venues in Spain. Girona and Badalona hosted the first and the second round, while the entire knockout stage was played at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona.-First round:-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:... |
| 1999 | – | EuroBasket 1999 EuroBasket 1999 -Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:-5th place bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :... |
| 2001 | 8 | EuroBasket 2001 EuroBasket 2001 The EuroBasket 2001 was the 32nd EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Turkey, began on 31 August 2001 and concluded with the final on 9 September 2001. Yugoslavia won the gold medal,... |
| 2003 | 13 | EuroBasket 2003 Eurobasket 2003 -5th to 8th place:-Awards:-All-Tournament Team : Tony Parker Šarūnas Jasikevičius Saulius Štombergas Andrei Kirilenko Pau Gasol-Top scorers :# Pau Gasol 25.8# Andrei Kirilenko 23.1# Dirk Nowitzki 22.5# Mehmet Okur 18.7... |
| 2005 | 13 | EuroBasket 2005 Eurobasket 2005 The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain... |
| 2007 | 13 | EuroBasket 2007 Eurobasket 2007 -Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :... |
| 2009 | 13 | EuroBasket 2009 EuroBasket 2009 The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009... |
| 2011 | 22 | EuroBasket 2011 Eurobasket 2011 EuroBasket 2011 was the 37th men's European Basketball Championship, held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Lithuania. This was the second time Eurobasket had been held in Lithuania, the country having also hosted the 1939 championship. FIBA Europe asserted that Lithuania managed to... |
Performance at U20 European championship
| Year | Position | Host |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | U20 European Championship 2004 |
| 2005 | 7 | U20 European Championship 2005 |
| 2006 | 13 | U20 European Championship 2006 |
| 2007 | 14 | U20 European Championship 2007 |
| 2008 | 11 | U20 European Championship 2008 |
| 2009 | 10 | U20 European Championship 2009 |
| 2010 | 11 | U20 European Championship 2010 |
Performance at U18 European championship
| Year | Position | Host |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 12 | U18 European Championship 2004 |
| 2005 | 8 | U18 European Championship 2005 |
| 2006 | 12 | U18 European Championship 2006 |
| 2007 | 3  |
U18 European Championship 2007 |
| 2008 | 7 | U18 European Championship 2008 |
| 2009 | 9 | U18 European Championship 2009 |
| 2010 | 3 |
U18 European Championship Men 2010 Division A U18 European Championship Men 2010 Division A -Group B:---------Group C:---------Group D:---------Qualifying Round:The twelve teams remaining were allocated in two groups of six teams each. The four top teams advanced to the quarterfinals... |
Performance at U16 European championship
| Year | Position | Host |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8 | European Championship for Cadets 2001 |
| 2003 | – | European Championship for Cadets 2003 |
| 2004 | 13 | U16 European Championship 2004 |
| 2005 | 11 | U16 European Championship 2005 |
| 2006 | 11 | U16 European Championship 2006 |
| 2007 | 9 | U16 European Championship 2007 |
| 2008 | 10 | U16 European Championship 2008 |
| 2009 | 9 | U16 European Championship 2009 |