Latvian men’s 3×3 basketball team captured the European Championship gold medal, securing the continental title for the second time in the nation’s history following a hard-fought campaign that culminated in a victory over the Netherlands.
Path to the Final and Semifinal Survival
According to reports from Latvian sports media, Latvia entered the tournament seeded sixth and punched its ticket to the championship game by defeating France 17:15 in a tense semifinal matchup. Raimo led the scoring charge for Latvia with eight points, while teammate Kuksiks contributed six points. Miezis and Gludītis added two and one points respectively to hold off a late French surge.
In the tournament’s other semifinal bracket, the Netherlands, seeded second, defeated tournament favorites Serbia 20:14 to advance to the gold-medal showdown against Latvia. Earlier in the knockout rounds, the Latvian national team secured a 21:18 quarterfinal victory over Belgium, which held the eighth seed.
Group Stage Momentum and Historical Context
During the group phase, Latvia posted strong wins in Group C, defeating Ireland 21:16 and overcoming Lithuania 22:16 to set the tone for the medal rounds. Meanwhile, the Latvian women’s national team did not qualify for the European Championship final tournament.
This appearance marks the sixth time the Latvian men’s team has competed in the European Championship final tournament, maintaining a podium streak across all six appearances. Previous iterations of the program secured gold in 2017 with a roster featuring Agnis Čavars, Edgars Krūmiņš, Kārlis Lasmanis, and Miezis, followed by silver medals in 2018 and 2022. The 2023 tournament brought bronze through Francis Lācis, Lasmanis, Mārcis Osis, and Raimo, while last year’s squad claimed silver with Miezis, Lācis, Raimo, and Kuksiks.
Next Steps and Tournament Follow-Up
The championship fixtures and tournament matches were broadcast live via the official YouTube channel, “FIBA3x3 – The 3×3 Basketball Channel.” Fans and followers can check official FIBA 3×3 portals for complete tournament statistics, medal ceremonies, and upcoming international calendar updates.
Related reading
