Jūrmala’s women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought silver medal in the Latvian Women’s Basketball League 2nd division Final Four tournament, falling just short against Ventspils Spars in a thrilling championship game on March 2nd, 2026. The final score was 56-59, capping off a season of resilience and growth for the Jūrmala squad.
The team’s journey to the final was marked by overcoming early-season challenges. “At the beginning of the season, our goal was to play in the Final Four,” said head coach Kaspars Bože shortly after the game. “We started quite poorly, with a 1-3 record, and we had some players injured. But when the injured players returned, we went on a winning streak. We felt like we could achieve even more, especially after wins against RSU, and Ventspils.”
Bože’s confidence was unwavering heading into the tournament. “Why shouldn’t they win the final tournament too? That was the goal I came with, not thinking about whether we’d win the first game or not. We’d play against whatever came our way – we had beaten all the teams in the season, so we had confidence.”
The road to the final wasn’t effortless. Jūrmala lost to Ventspils in the final last year, also held at the Jūrmala State Gymnasium. A slow start to the regular season added to the challenge. However, the new year brought a turning point, with a victory over Ventspils followed by a strong showing in the semi-finals in Jelgava.
“All week we prepared for the first game against Ventspils. We didn’t even look at the other teams. The final was different, because Jelgava plays a different style of basketball – with prominent tall players,” Bože explained, highlighting the team’s focused preparation.
Jūrmala dominated the second half of the semi-final, building a commanding 26-point lead – 46-20 – the largest margin of victory in the entire Final Four tournament. They carried that momentum into the final, though Ivanda Hudjakova and Alise Karlsone of Jelgava proved to be formidable opponents throughout the 40 minutes.
“Jūrmala isn’t the tallest team. Our memory of playing Jelgava recently at home also helped. In the final, we played our basketball, with good defense. And we needed to shoot a little better than our opponents,” Bože noted, acknowledging the key factors in the close contest.
The atmosphere in the arena played a role in the game’s intensity. “The offense became slower, which didn’t really work for us, and more for Jelgava. We gave it everything we had, as much fuel as we had left. Experience and calm decision-making on offense were more important,” Bože said.
Basketball is a family affair in Jūrmala, with numerous sisters playing on various teams. The Božes’ team is a prime example, featuring three sisters – Aleksa, Paula, and Keita Purmale. Aleksa Purmale was named the Most Valuable Player of the final, a testament to her outstanding performance.
“I tell the young players – Aleksa is a player you need to learn from. In youth league, she didn’t play as a forward – she played with the ball, made decisions. She reads situations – two players block her, she passes the ball. You can’t really teach those things. If you have it, you have it,” Bože emphasized, praising Aleksa’s unique skillset.
Aleksa Purmale’s impact extends beyond her scoring ability. “Aleksa is a player who leaves everything on the court. If you gathered five Aleksas, it would be easy to play. She helps the younger players in practice – how much each one takes in. I tell the girls to watch how she plays, what and why she does, because Aleksa makes the right decision 90% of the time.”
Jūrmala boasts a talented group of young players, including Marta Pētersone, a semi-finalist at the European U16 Championship, and sharp-shooter Paula Pētersone. Melānija Ieva Sīpoliņa and Danija Verne, both born in 2011, also contribute with their confidence and willingness to take on responsibility.
“There’s no prohibition on shooting. If I see in games that the shots aren’t falling, I suggest going for drives. If I see that it’s working – that we’ve played to an open shot, then that shot has to be taken,” Bože explained, outlining his offensive philosophy.
Bože shared a story about Danija Verne, who felt she hadn’t played well in the semi-final. “Danija told me she played poorly in the semi-final. ‘Poorly’ here means not for her age. I wrote to her that she needed to play better and play her best game of the season in the final.”
The connection between the two teams extended beyond the court. Last year’s final featured two Ventspils natives from the Tārgale parish – Reinis Ziemelis and Kaspars Bože. Ēriks Liepa, the coach of RSU-2, is also part of the Ventspils setup, while Edijs Ausēja’s brother, Artūrs, plays as a sniper for BK “Ventspils.”
Bože reflected on his own journey into coaching. “I started playing quite late. My first coach was Raitis Silarājs, but only for a short time. Then Matīss Graudiņš. At the Latvian Academy of Sports Pedagogy – Jānis Rimbenieks. I’ve taken knowledge from each of them – also in youth national teams and the talent academy.”
“I graduated from university in 2015 and have been working as a coach for eleven seasons. This is probably my biggest achievement. The first medal in youth basketball brought the most emotion – because it’s difficult to break through in a competition where certain schools dominate.”
The Latvian Women’s Basketball League 2nd division continues to showcase exciting competition and rising talent. Jūrmala’s silver medal run is a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and the growing strength of the league. The team will look to build on this success in the coming seasons.
Key Takeaways:
- Jūrmala secured a silver medal in the Latvian Women’s Basketball League 2nd division Final Four.
- The team overcame a slow start to the season and injuries to reach the championship game.
- Aleksa Purmale was named the MVP of the final, showcasing her all-around impact.
- Coach Kaspars Bože emphasized the importance of experience, decision-making, and a family-like team atmosphere.
Fans can follow the Latvian Women’s Basketball League and Jūrmala’s progress on the official league calendar: LSBL 2026: kalendārs, tiešraides un jaunākās ziņas. What do you experience – can Jūrmala build on this success and challenge for the championship next year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
