Latvian Basketball Fan Travels 14 Hours to Support Team at FIBA World Cup 2023

KOMPAS.com – Latvian supporter, Robert, tells the story of his journey to watch his favorite team at the FIBA ​​World Cup 2023 or the 2023 Basketball World Cup.

Latvian fans are a separate phenomenon at the FIBA ​​World Cup 2023 Indonesia which will take place at the Indonesia Arena on 25 August-3 September 2023.

Why not? Latvian fans are always present whenever Luca Banchi’s team plays in the preliminary round of Group H of the FIBA ​​World Cup 2023 Indonesia.

The struggle of Latvian fans to get to the Indonesia Arena is not easy. They have to spend 14-15 hours to get to Jakarta.

Also read: FIBA ​​World Cup 2023, Latvia admits defeat to Canada, but…

Based on Kompas.com searches, the distance between the Latvian capital, Riga, to Jakarta is 10,111 km.

“Yes, I come from Latvia,” said one of the Latvian supporters, Robert, at the Indonesia Arena on Tuesday (29/8/2023) evening WIB.

“I (fly) to Istanbul three hours, then (fly) to Jakarta 11 hours. So, overall 14-15 hours,” he said.

Robert revealed that he had been in Jakarta for a week to watch his favorite basketball team, Latvia.

The decision by Robert and other fans to support the Latvian basketball team is understandable.

Also read: FIBA ​​World Cup 2023, Beats Latvia, Canada Alludes to Alanis Morissette’s song

The reason is, the Latvian basketball national team for the first time in history is playing in the FIBA ​​World Cup.

“I’ve been here for a week. I really love my (country) basketball team,” explained Robert.

“I want to support them in a historic moment when we are playing in the World Cup for the first time,” he said.

He even emphasized that he was ready to buy flight tickets to the Philippines if Latvia penetrated the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup.

“Yes, yes, if Latvia qualify for the quarter-finals, I will go to Manila,” said Robert.

Furthermore, Robert was fascinated by Jakarta, even though he felt the heat. He also admits that he likes Indonesian food.

Also read: Stories of FIBA ​​World Cup Volunteers: Hard Work for Historical Experience

“It’s a nice city. There are many differences, it’s very hot here because in our country it’s not too hot,” he said.

“However, I am happy to be here. I like this city. Yes, I really like (Indonesian food). I like grilled fish,” he explained.

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