The Latvia men’s 3×3 basketball national team captured the European Cup title in Antwerp, Belgium, demonstrating the program’s enduring depth despite not fielding its theoretical optimal roster, according to head coach Raimonds Feldmanis. In a final against the Netherlands, the Latvian quartet—consisting of Nauris Miezis, Zigmārs Raimo, Kristaps Gludītis, and Rihards Kuksiks—secured the championship trophy, marking the nation’s second European title in history and its first since 2017.
Feldmanis Assesses Roster Strength After Antwerp Triumph
Speaking to Latvian Television in a remote interview following the tournament, head coach Raimonds Feldmanis addressed the composition of his squad. While various other factors influenced roster selection ahead of the event—details the coach declined to fully disclose—Feldmanis emphasized that success hinges on maximizing the players available in the moment. According to Feldmanis, the tournament in Belgium proved to be emotionally the easiest of his tenure despite the changes in personnel.
“Sometimes it happens that they deal you the cards,” Feldmanis said, describing the tournament dynamics. “No matter what cards you are dealt, anyway, you need to play it so that you get that ace. We played it out as well.” He added that the victory highlights the strength of the program: “That shows our strength, that we still have a strong squad. That we can play well.”
Path to the European Crown
Latvia’s journey to the top of the podium required navigating a difficult knockout bracket in Antwerp. After advancing through early rounds, the Latvian squad defeated Belgium and France in the elimination phase before facing the Netherlands in the Sunday final. The victory adds another major milestone to a banner year for Latvian 3×3 basketball. Earlier in June, a squad featuring Miezis and Raimo alongside Kārlis Lasmanis and Francis Lācis captured Latvia’s first World Cup title.
By contrast, the European championship roster featured a different blend of experience. Rihards Kuksiks and Kristaps Gludītis joined veterans Miezis and Raimo to lift the trophy. Historical records show that the Latvian men’s national team has competed in six European Cup final tournaments, claiming a medal in every single appearance. Previous podium finishes include a gold medal in 2017 by Agnis Čavars, Edgars Krūmiņš, Kārlis Lasmanis, and Nauris Miezis, silver medals in 2018 and 2022, a bronze medal in 2023 by Francis Lācis, Kārlis Lasmanis, Mārcis Osis, and Zigmārs Raimo, and a silver medal last year by Miezis, Lācis, Raimo, and Kuksiks.
Celebration and Return to Riga
Following the final whistle, the players paused to enjoy the emotional payoff of their hard work. Feldmanis praised the squad’s execution under pressure, offering high praise with the remark, “Great satisfaction, guys are great, super!” While acknowledging the accumulation of historic titles for the Baltic nation, the coach maintained a forward-looking perspective, noting that appetite grows with eating. The newly crowned European champions were scheduled to return to Riga by Monday afternoon.
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