Rīgas Zeļļi secured an 86-84 victory over Italian Serie A club Tortonas “Derthona” in their ULEB EuroCup debut on Wednesday, marking a return for Latvian basketball to Europe’s second-tier competition. The win at the Arena Riga represents the first time a Latvian team has participated in the tournament in 11 years.
A Historic Return to the EuroCup
The EuroCup debut is a major achievement for the club. The last Latvian team to feature in this competition was VEF Rīga. For Rīgas Zeļļi captain Jānis Bērziņš, the match carried particular weight; he was a young player during that previous Latvian stint 11 years ago and returned to the tournament floor as a 33-year-old. Bērziņš noted that the pressure of the debut was palpable, emphasizing that his goal was to provide leadership and ensure the team performed at its highest capacity rather than succumbing to the nerves of the high-stakes environment.
Tactical Discipline in the Debut Win
Head coach Rokas Kondratavičs, who took the helm following the previous season, highlighted the team’s defensive execution as the deciding factor against a high-scoring Italian opponent. Kondratavičs stated that while the team is still adjusting to his specific defensive system, their ability to limit Tortona—a club known for 100-point offensive performances in the Italian league—was the key to the two-point victory.
The coach emphasized that the win was only a single step and that the team aims for more success throughout their guaranteed 14-game schedule in the competition. "We have been gaining confidence and cannot stop now," Kondratavičs noted, while also acknowledging that the squad is still managing the integration of his complex defensive rules.
Contributions from the New Core
The victory was bolstered by strong individual performances, including that of the team’s new 213-centimeter center. The American center, who is playing in his first professional season, drew comparisons to Kristaps Porziņģis for his mobility and shooting ability. Kondratavičs expressed surprise at how quickly the newcomer adjusted to the physical demands of the EuroCup, noting that he played with the composure of a veteran. Teammate Tyler Vols also credited the intensity of the home crowd at Arena Riga, stating that the atmosphere provided a significant boost to the team’s confidence throughout the 40-minute contest.
Injuries Limit Rīgas Zeļļi Roster Before Demanding Schedule
Rīgas Zeļļi faced the Italian side while managing significant roster limitations. Coach Kondratavičs confirmed that the team was without Toms Skuja, Klāvs Čavars, and Gustavs Kampuss due to injury. The status of these players remains a focus, with the team hoping for their return in upcoming fixtures.
The club's schedule remains demanding as they play a group that includes several European programs. Following the home opener, Rīgas Zeļļi are set to face a series of opponents including:
- Hapoel Jerusalem (Israel)
- Aris Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Le Mans (France)
- Seawolves Rostock (Germany)
- Olimpija Ljubljana
The match against Olimpija Ljubljana, featuring Latvian national team player Rihards Lomažs, is scheduled for mid-October in Riga.
Unanswered Questions
While the opening victory has provided a surge of confidence, the long-term impact of the team's performance is unclear. It is not yet known how the team will fare when facing the full-strength rosters of their group rivals or how the rotation will shift once the currently injured players are cleared to return to the court. The coaching staff has signaled that while the team showed potential, there remains a significant gap between their current execution and the system they aim to implement as the season progresses.
