The Latvian national basketball team has begun preparations for the World Cup qualifiers
On August 10, the Latvian men’s national basketball team began preparations for its second-round World Cup qualifying matches against Croatia and Israel, which will take place at the end of the month. Fifteen players have begun training, according to LSM English.
The list of candidates released last week included 16 players, but Arturs Žagars did not make the team. Kristaps Porziņģis and Rolands Šmits will also not play for the national team. Rodions Kurucs withdrew due to injury, while the coaching staff decided not to include Arturs Kurucs.
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The Latvian team will continue its preparations at Riga Arena. Before the official matches, it will play two friendly games: on August 19 on the road against Slovenia, and on August 23 at home against the Ukrainian national team.
In the qualifiers, Latvia will play away against Croatia on August 27 and host Israel on August 30. Head coach Janis Gailitis said after practice that the team needs to reach a higher and more intense level of play while avoiding the risk of injuries during the first training sessions of the season. LSM English notes that in their next six qualifying matches, the Latvians can afford only one loss to keep their qualification hopes alive. This fall and winter, the national team will also face Germany—the reigning World and European champion—twice.
