Latvian Women’s Basketball Team Gains Valuable Experience and Looks Toward the Future

On the positive side, the coach noted the fighting spirit throughout the 40 minutes of the game and the “unique experience” gained by the young basketball players, which can only be gained in high-ranking games.

“It is important for the girls to have more and more of them, to have a stable playing time and a leadership role in the clubs. Experience and temper will accumulate, there will be better games and also the result. The tournament has just started,” Gulbis looks to the future with hope.

In this selection window, 14 candidates were invited to the national team, of which the injured Kate Vilka could not help the team. The coaches did not include the center player Laura Melder in the twelve that went to France, but Evelina Otto made her debut in the national team.

The Latvian team had only one game in this competition. The Executive Committee of the European Division of FIBA, taking into account the situation in Israel and security considerations, has moved the matches of the European Women’s Basketball Championship qualification tournament with the participation of the Israeli women’s national team from November 2023 to February 2024. The game Latvia – Israel is scheduled for February 11.

Coach Gulbis is assisted by U-20 team leader Aigars Nerips and Matīss Rožlapa, who is working in Germany this season. Both assistants also have a lot of experience in the national team.

The European Championship will be held in four countries for the first time from June 9 to 19, 2025. Each of the four countries will host a group tournament, with the final stage taking place in the Greek capital, Athens.

Latvia’s national team for the match with France:

Paula Strautmane (Kangoeroes of Mechelen, Belgium), Kathy Wichmane (no club), Digna Strautmane (Sleza of Wroclaw, Poland), Aleksa Gulbe (Casademont of Zaragoza, Spain), Evelina Otto, Ieva Pulvere, Vanessa Jas, Louise Sila (all – “TTT Rīga”), Anete Šteinberga (“Tango” of Bourges, France), Ilze Jākobsone (“Emlak Konut” of Istanbul, Turkey), Kitty Laks (“Fenerbahçe” of Istanbul, Turkey), Enija Viksne (Angels of Nördlingen “, Germany).