Riga, Latvia – A new era is dawning for Latvian men’s national basketball team. The Latvian Basketball Association (LBA) announced on Tuesday the departure of Spanish head coach Sito Alonso, with Latvian native Jānis Gailītis stepping in to lead the squad. The change comes amid a challenging qualification cycle for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and a frank admission from the LBA that the initial coaching choice may have been a misstep.
The decision, as revealed by Agris Galvanovskis, head of the LBA’s coaching committee, wasn’t entirely unforeseen. Galvanovskis disclosed in an interview with Latvian Radio that Gailītis had initially applied for the position before Alonso was selected, with the intention at the time being to introduce a Spanish basketball philosophy to the Latvian program. However, the results haven’t materialized as hoped.
Alonso’s dismissal stems largely from the national team’s performance in the current World Cup qualifying campaign. With a record of one win and three losses, the team faces an uphill battle to secure a spot in the tournament. “With a 1-3 record, it’s difficult to achieve the desired result – to qualify for the World Cup. If it were 3-1, it would be different. We need at least seven wins in the remaining games,” Galvanovskis explained, adding that discussions with LBA General Secretary Kaspars Ciprus led to the conclusion that Alonso’s contract, which ran through the end of the qualification cycle, would likely be terminated regardless if qualification wasn’t achieved.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Latvia still maintains a theoretical path to advancement. However, the coaching committee, in conjunction with the LBA board, is already looking towards the future. “Theoretically, it’s still possible, but we need our strongest lineup,” Galvanovskis stated. A significant factor influencing this shift in focus is the anticipated need for several key players to undergo surgery this summer, prompting a strategic pivot towards the 2029 European Championship.
This new plan prioritizes the development and integration of young players into the national team. “It’s clear that we also need experienced players, but we have many promising young basketball players who perhaps should start getting playing time now,” Galvanovskis said. “If we only focus on a full-strength roster now and don’t involve the young players, and we don’t produce it to the World Cup, it will be very difficult in the European qualification as well.”
The move echoes a similar overhaul in 2011, when Ainārs Bagatskis took over the national team and completely revamped the roster, retaining only captain Jānis Blūms. “This time it will be different – perhaps 3-4 experienced players and giving the young players a chance to go through this cycle and gain experience. They will have gained experience and will be ready to play in the European cycle,” Galvanovskis added.
Galvanovskis acknowledged Alonso’s capabilities as a coach but noted that his desire to implement radical changes in both offense and defense required a longer timeframe than was feasible given his commitments to a club team. He contrasted this with the situation Luka Banki faced when he took over, noting Banki was unattached to a club at the time and could dedicate his full attention to the national team. “We decided that [Alonso’s departure] would be the right path – it’s not pleasant, but that’s just how the situation developed.”
A key admission from Galvanovskis was that the initial decision-making process was flawed. “We have to admit that we made a mistake because Sito wanted to radically change the playing style in both defense and offense. The players available to him were not ready for that.” He explained that the team struggled in the early games without its full complement of star players and that imposing a high standard without the necessary personnel proved challenging. “I think if we had all the best players – those 6-7 players, for example, Šmits, Gražulis, [Rodions] Kurucs or Žagars – I think they would definitely have been able to cope. The coaches also told him – don’t force everything at once and change it, but introduce it gradually. Then he realized that he had to leave the old habits, and then we started to play a little better.”
The initial rationale for hiring Alonso was to infuse the Latvian national team with the hallmarks of Spanish basketball. “Although he came here in the summer and watched our games, he isn’t as deeply involved in Latvian basketball as Luka was. He is a coach who, after signing a contract, comes and goes, does his job. He does his job well and is knowledgeable, but we felt that we needed to be more deeply involved in all of this. Gailītis, however, knows all these young players and will be better able to build a team.”
Jānis Gailītis brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent over a decade within the VEF Rīga system – initially as an assistant coach and then as head coach from 2016 to 2024. He led VEF Rīga to a record seven Latvian championships, along with a Latvian-Estonian League title and three Latvian Basketball Cup victories. He also served as head coach of Latvia’s U16 and U18 national teams and as an assistant coach for the senior national team from 2021-2025. Most recently, he was the head coach of German Bundesliga club Mitteldeutscher BC and is currently the head coach of French club Strasbourg SIG.
The appointment of Gailītis signals a clear shift towards prioritizing the long-term development of Latvian basketball, focusing on nurturing young talent while maintaining a competitive edge. The immediate challenge, however, remains navigating the remaining World Cup qualifying games and laying the foundation for success at the 2029 European Championship.
Latvia’s next qualifying match is scheduled for July 3rd against the Netherlands, followed by a home game against Austria on July 6th. These matches will be crucial in determining the team’s fate in the current cycle, and will provide the first glimpse of Gailītis’s vision for the future of Latvian basketball.
What’s next: The Latvian national team will continue preparations for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against the Netherlands and Austria in July. Fans can follow updates and schedules on the official LBA website: https://www.basketbols.lv/
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