Latvian sports fans welcomed home their international champions on Monday, September 14, as the national 3×3 basketball team and U-22 beach volleyball representatives returned to Riga following a dominant stretch of continental and global competition. According to reports from regional media, supporters and officials gathered at Riga International Airport to celebrate a historic summer that established Latvia as a powerhouse across multiple disciplines.
Triumph in Antwerp: Inside the 3×3 European Championship Run
The headline achievement belongs to the men’s 3×3 basketball squad, who captured the European Championship title in Antwerp, Belgium, on Sunday. Seeded sixth entering the tournament, the Latvian roster—comprising Nauris Miezis, Zigmārs Raimo, Rihards Kuksiks, and Kristaps Gludītis—navigated the bracket without a single defeat. In the gold-medal match, Latvia defeated the second-seeded Netherlands team by a score of 19–10, according to tournament records.
Coverage noted that the victory marks Latvia’s first European 3×3 title since 2017 and their second overall in the history of the competition. The triumph caps off a remarkable calendar year for the program. Reports indicated that in addition to claiming the continental crown, members of this core also secured the World Cup title in 2026, solidifying their status as the top-ranked side in both Europe and the world.
Individual Accolades and Airport Homecomings
Individual excellence accompanied the team gold. Kristaps Gludītis earned tournament MVP honors after a stellar weekend of shooting and playmaking. Meanwhile, Rihards Kuksiks and Nauris Miezis—alongside coach Raimonds Feldmanis—touched down in Riga on Monday afternoon around 1:00 PM local time to greet media and fans. Raimo and Miezis both featured prominently in both the World Cup and European campaigns.
Reflecting on the grueling nature of the three-player format in recent interviews with Delfi and Sportacentrs.com, Kuksiks emphasized that success requires elite chemistry rather than simply throwing four talented players onto a half-court.
U-22 Beach Volleyball Stars Join the Welcome
The homecoming celebrations at Riga Airport also highlighted rising talent from the sand. Alongside the basketball delegation, U-22 beach volleyball representatives returned to Latvia to share in the spotlight. While scheduling adjustments meant some athletes—such as Fokerots and Auziņš—faced delayed arrivals, the joint reception underscored a banner week for Latvian summer team sports on the international stage.
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