Jelgava, Latvia – Ventspils Sporta Skola “Spars” concluded their run in the Latvian Women’s Basketball League 2nd division “Final Four” tournament with a fourth-place finish this past weekend. The team battled through a competitive field, ultimately falling short in both their semifinal and bronze medal matches.
The tournament, held in Jelgava, showcased the top four teams from the regular season. Ventspils Spars opened the Final Four with a semifinal matchup against Jūrmala, where they faced a tough opponent and ultimately suffered a 57-68 defeat. This loss sent them to the bronze medal game.
In a closely contested bronze medal game, RSU-2 edged out Ventspils Spars with a narrow 54-51 victory. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Ventspils holding a lead for much of the contest. However, they were unable to maintain their advantage as RSU-2 rallied in the final minutes. With approximately three minutes remaining, Ventspils Spars had established a four-point lead (51-47), but RSU-2 responded with a late surge, scoring the remaining points to secure the third-place finish.
Martina Bertāne led the scoring for Ventspils Spars in the bronze medal game with 17 points. Katrīna Pētersone contributed 13 points, even as Annija Zvirgzdiņa recorded a strong performance with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Ulla Ērkšķe added 11 points to the team’s total.
Despite the fourth-place finish, Annija Zvirgzdiņa was recognized for her outstanding performance throughout the “Final Four” tournament, earning the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) for Ventspils Sporta Skola “Spars”. Her consistent contributions on both ends of the court were instrumental to the team’s success.
This season’s 2nd division championship featured eight Latvian teams and one team from Estonia, “Audentes”. The league has seen a shift in recent years, with RSU-2 claiming the championship in 2023, and Ventspils Spars winning the title in both 2024 and 2025. This demonstrates the growing competitiveness within the Latvian women’s basketball landscape.
The Latvian Women’s Basketball League continues to develop, providing a platform for emerging talent and fostering a passion for the sport throughout the country. The “Final Four” tournament in Jelgava highlighted the dedication and skill of these athletes, and the league looks forward to continued growth and excitement in the seasons to come.
The tournament’s location in Jelgava, a city situated on the Lielupe River, was one of two notable aspects of the Final Four. The other was the absence of teams from Riga in the final stages of the competition – a first for the Latvian Women’s Basketball League, encompassing both the first and second divisions. Prior to this year, a team from the capital city had consistently been represented in the championship games.
Looking ahead, the focus will shift to the next season, with teams preparing to compete for the championship title. Ventspils Spars will undoubtedly aim to build on their experience from this year’s “Final Four” and contend for the top spot once again. The league’s continued development and increasing competitiveness promise an exciting future for Latvian women’s basketball.
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