On Wednesday, January 10, in the French city of La Roche-sur-Yona, the “TTT-Rīga” basketball team started the battle for entering the quarterfinals of the FIBA European Cup with a match against the local “Roche Vendee” team. After the girls from Riga had already managed to gain a 26-point advantage, they had to withstand the increasing aggressiveness of their opponents and, demonstrating their character, protect the 17-point handicap – 87:70 – until the final whistle of the match.
More than 1,200 fans gathered in the stands of the home hall of Roche Vendee, who loudly and inspiringly supported their hometown team throughout the game. Latvians also had their own group of supporters, made up of relatives and friends of the French Margo Clavo. In France, Riga’s name sounded loudly and Latvian flags flew high.
Riga women started the match with 8-0 – Margo Klavo and Ieva Pulvere made long shots and Kaira Lamberte added two points. The first quarter ended with a 14-point lead – 31:17. In the second quarter, the Latvian team continued to manage on the French field, and the difference in the score became even bigger – 45:19, but until the end of the first half, they managed to protect a 15-point lead – 47:32.
In the second half, the team coached by Emmanuel Bodie began to show a more aggressive style of play, trying to limit the success of “TTT” near the basket. The home team reduced the points deficit to 54:45, but the basketball players led by Mārtiņa Gulbja showed courage and self-control and did not let the “Roche Vendee” basketball players get closer than nine points. In the final quarter, “TTT-Rīga” withstood the aggressive pressure of the home team and protected a sufficiently large handicap (87:70) to go home with the feeling of a job well done and prepare for the return match in Riga.
“TTT-Rīga” basketball players made shots with great accuracy – 41.7% of long shots and 21 out of 24 free throws fell into the basket, the impressive battle behind the baskets should also be noted – the Riga girls won 16 rebounds.
Gabija Meshkonite scored 20 points for TTT, Ieva Pulvere and Kaira Lamberte added 18 points each, the American also collected 10 assists, seven steals and intercepted the opponent’s passes six times.
“TTT-Rīga” head coach Mārtiņš Gulbis was pleased with the continuation of the winning streak after the game: “We started the game with good concentration and the right attitude. We knew that we would face individually strong players, especially at the bottom of the basket, and we expected a physical battle, but we did not expect rugby… We faced a lot of pressure on the ball, unfortunately we were not without injuries. Initially, we did not know how to properly punish the opponents for their aggressiveness, however, we were able to adapt in the decisive moments, and everything ended well! A 17-point advantage is quite a solid result, but it does not guarantee anything before the return match in Riga. Many thanks to Margo’s family and friends for making us feel at home in France! It was impressive!”
FIBA Women’s European Cup, 10.01.2024, La Roche-Pool in France
“Roche Vendee” – “TTT-Riga” 70:87 (17:31, 15:16, 21:21, 17:19)
“TTT”: Meškonīte 20, Lamberte 18 (7ab, 10rp, 6pb, 33ef), Pulvere 18, Klavo 13, Otto 9 (6ab), Jasa 5, Sila 4 (10ab), Stepanova, Grausa, Ķilpe.
The team that will enter the next elimination round will face the winner of the duel between Poland’s “VBW Arka Gdynia” and Italy’s “Umana Reyer Venice”. In the first match between the two teams, the team from Venice won 77:68.
The return match in Riga, at the “Rimi” Olympic Center, is expected on Thursday, January 18, at 19.00 Fans are invited, admission is free.
