Riga Club’s Success Fueled by Trust and Team Unity: The Story of Margo Clavo and Kyra Lambert

The Riga club spent almost the entire season with the same lineup – six months ago, TTT had the same 11 players. It doesn’t happen often. The main reason is mutual trust between players and coaches.

Captain Ieva Pulvere could rely 100% on her girls – they all complemented each other and took responsibility when needed. Two more players played a huge role in uniting and uniting the team – point guard Kaira Lamberte and power forward Margo Clavo.

“Last year it was difficult for me, but it became easier in the team. This team was crazy – in a good way. A team with a big heart that worked hard every day. That’s why we succeeded. I am very proud of the team,” said the smiling French woman after the award ceremony on Saturday.

12 months ago – in April 2023 – one of the doctors of the French Premier League team “Landerneau Bretagne Basket” advised Margo not to rush back to the field after maternity leave. “There is a risk of injury, also because my daughter continues to breastfeed,” said the doctor at the time.

Margot has played most of his career in the powerful French Premier League so far, representing LFB clubs Bourges, Nice, Charleville, Nantes, Lyon, Tarbes Gespe Bigorre and Bretagne Basket. In between, he also spent one season in the German club “TSV 1880 Wasserburg” (2017-2018).

The striker once played 51 games for the French youth national teams, including the first U17 World Cup (France 2010) and the European U20 Championship (Samsuna 2013). Shortly after her 21st birthday, Margo was inducted In the extended list of 24 players of the French national team.

Kyra Lambert named Margo as one of the three players who had the biggest impact on her in basketball. The experienced Frenchwoman also revealed her choice. “I will name Kaira Lambert – she was my best teammate this year. I haven’t met a player like her for a long time – such a good basketball player and person at the same time.”

Salaspils Sports Hall, Oskar Kalpak Elementary School, Daugava Sports Hall, “Rimi” Olympic Sports Center, “Final Four” of the Baltic League in Palanga – Margo was always a few steps away from her husband Maks and daughter Kara after the games. One of the biggest events – in January, 20 relatives and friends of Margo from nearby Nantes supported the TTT players in the 1/8 final match of the European Cup in La Roche-sur-Yon.

Who is Margo’s biggest role model? “After the birth of my daughter, I want to be a better person, a better person. To be able to look in the mirror in the morning and say – I will be better every day, so that my daughter can look at me, be happy and proud of me. I want to be a good role model for my daughter. I will say – my daughter!”

After the victory in the Baltic League, Margo shared the joy with Max and her daughter. An hour later, she threw herself into the cool waves of the Baltic Sea with Ieva Pulveri, Luiza Silas and Evelina Otto, continuing to enjoy life. “If the family wasn’t with me, the season wouldn’t be the same. Max turned down a professional contract with the Pays de Fougères team. He had a contract until 2025.”

Maxence Claveau became a Pays de Fougères Basket player in 2020. The defender-striker won the French Cup (le Trophée Coupe de France) twice – in 2022 and 2023 – in three seasons with the “blues brothers”, playing in the “Nationale 2” league. Max both titles were won by Accor Arena – at the next home of the Paris 2024 basketball elimination tournament.

“When I received TTT’s offer, he didn’t hesitate – accept it! I will go with you to take care of my daughter. You have put in a lot of work to get back into basketball. It’s my turn to be by your side. That is why he is my closest person. Kara and Max are my biggest supporters.”