The Latvians lost at home with the score 51:82 (12:20, 12:18, 10:23, 17:21).
In subgroup E, after four games, France has four wins, Latvia and Israel have two each, and Ireland has experienced four losses. Israel and Ireland must win their remaining two matches to qualify for the finals.
Anete Šteinberga scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Latvian national team, also committing six fouls, while Kitty Laksa had 18 points and two steals. Louise Silas won eight balls under the baskets.
Gabby Williams stood out for the French women with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Opponents had significantly better shooting accuracy from the field (47%/33%), especially on two-pointers (57%/34%). Also, the French national team won more balls under the basket (41/32) and made fewer mistakes (16/25).
At the beginning of the game, the hosts could not stop the attacks of the French, especially Gabby Williams, who made several half shots. In the first quarter, Latvian basketball players led by 14 points, but in the last minutes they reduced the advantage of their opponents (10:20).
The French lead was also reduced to ten points in the third quarter (34:44), but later the guests responded with a 17-0 breakthrough and decided the outcome of the match.
The Latvian team started the Group E tournament in November 2023 with an away loss to France (49:71), in February in Riga they beat Israel with 86:83 in overtime, and on Thursday they defeated Ireland at home with 85:53.
On the other hand, after the victory over Latvia with 100:48, the French women won over Ireland and defeated Israel with 94:52.
In subgroup E, France has three victories in the same matches, Latvia has two successes, Israeli basketball players have won one, but Ireland has lost all three games.
Latvian basketball players have prepared for matches with 15 players.
Aigars Nerips and Matīss Rožlapa help the head coach Mārtiņš Gulbi in his work in the national team.
The winners of the eight groups, as well as four of the eight runners-up, will get a ticket to the EC final tournament. When comparing the results achieved in different groups, the number of victories won, as well as the difference in points won and lost in all group tournament games, will be taken into account.
Latvian national team candidates:
Anete Šteinberga (“Polkowice”, Poland), Elizabete Bulāne, Līna Loceniece (both – Klaipeda LCC, Lithuania), Paula Strautmane (“Charnay”, France), Ketija Wichmane, Ilze Jākobsone, Anna Liepiņa, (all – “TTT Riga” ), Aleksa Gulbe (DVTK of Miskolc, Hungary), Laura Melder (Campobaso “La Molisana Magnolia”, Italy), Vanessa Jas (Lasevas Durželas “Cadi La Seu”, Spain), Luise Silas (Vigo “Celta Femxa Zorka”, Spain), Kitty Laksa (Skio “Famila”, Italy), Kate Vilka (“Neptunes” of Klaipeda, Lithuania), Katrína Ozola (EAC of Budapest, Hungary), Digna Strautmane (Wroclaw “Sleza”, Poland).
Interview between Time.news Editor and Basketball Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon! Today we have the pleasure of speaking with basketball expert Dr. Elena Krastina, who has been analyzing women’s basketball in Europe for over a decade. Welcome, Dr. Krastina!
Dr. Elena Krastina: Thank you! I’m excited to be here and discuss the recent games!
Editor: Let’s dive right into it. Latvia recently faced France in a tough loss, with a final score of 51 to 82. What do you think went wrong for the Latvian team during this match?
Dr. Krastina: The performance of the Latvian team was certainly affected by several key factors. Firstly, their shooting accuracy was significantly lower than France’s. Latvia shot only 33% from the field compared to France’s 47%, and they struggled particularly with two-pointers, making just 34% of those attempts.
Editor: Absolutely, France displayed dominance in that area. Gabby Williams, in particular, was a standout player. How crucial was her performance to France’s victory?
Dr. Krastina: Gabby Williams was instrumental in creating opportunities for her team. With 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, she showcased her all-around skills and ability to elevate her teammates’ performance. Her early contributions put Latvia on the back foot, setting the tone for the game.
Editor: It seems like Latvia was unable to contain her and faded as the game progressed. In the first quarter, they managed to narrow the gap to just ten points, but a subsequent 17-0 run by France really sealed their fate. What does this tell us about Latvia’s resilience?
Dr. Krastina: It reveals a mixed picture. While Latvia has moments of good play, their inability to maintain a competitive edge against strong opponents like France is concerning. When the game became intense, they struggled to respond effectively, and the 17-0 run highlighted gaps in their defense and possible fatigue. Their need for mental toughness in crunch time is evident.
Editor: Latvia still finds itself in a complicated position in Group E, with two wins and two losses. What are the implications for their next matches against Ireland and Israel, and what do they need to focus on?
Dr. Krastina: They must win both remaining matches to qualify for the finals. Therefore, focusing on improving their shooting efficiency and tightening their defense is crucial. Additionally, key players like Anete Šteinberga and Kitty Laksa, who scored 19 and 18 points respectively, need to maintain that momentum while also balancing their fouls to stay in the game.
Editor: Speaking of players, how do you assess the individual performances? Besides Šteinberga, who else stood out for Latvia, and how did their contributions impact the game?
Dr. Krastina: Šteinberga and Laksa were certainly the highlights, but it’s worthwhile to mention Louise Silas, who worked hard under the boards, securing eight rebounds. However, they need more consistent support from the bench to share the scoring load and sustain energy throughout the game. Relying too heavily on a few players can lead to burnout as the tournament progresses.
Editor: Definitely something for the coaching staff to consider. Looking ahead, what are your predictions for the final games of this subgroup?
Dr. Krastina: France is looking strong and seems to be the team to beat. They’ll likely win their remaining matches, solidifying their top position in the group. As for Latvia, their fate rests heavily on their next two games. If they can execute what they practiced, they might just pull through. Israel also needs to secure wins—so it’ll be an exciting finish for Group E!
Editor: Thank you so much, Dr. Krastina, for this insightful analysis! We look forward to seeing how the rest of the tournament unfolds.
Dr. Krastina: My pleasure—thank you for having me! Excited to see more high-stakes basketball!