Latvia’s U-18 women’s basketball team advanced to the European Championship quarterfinals by defeating Slovenia 54-48 in an elimination matchup. Mila Luzgina scored 17 points, and Marta Ploriņa added 11 points with 13 rebounds, setting up a quarterfinal clash against France in Stockholm.
The victory on the decisive round-of-16 game preserved Latvia’s hopes of contending for tournament medals. Head coach Rūdolfs Rozītis leads the squad, which finished third in Group D during the group stage in Stockholm after defeating Croatia while dropping games to Serbia and Poland.
How Latvia Overcame Slovenia in a Fourth-Quarter Surge
Latvia built momentum following an even opening quarter, pulling ahead to establish a 29-19 lead by halftime. Slovenia mounted a comeback in the final period, erasing the deficit to tie the score at 39-39 over a four-and-a-half-minute span.
In the closing minutes, Luzgina and Emija Gulbe scored crucial baskets to rebuild a six-point advantage at 49-43. Slovenia failed to narrow the gap before the final buzzer.
Individual Standouts and Tournament Statistics
Mila Luzgina led all Latvian scorers with 17 points. Marta Ploriņa contributed 11 points alongside a dominant 13 rebounds. For Slovenia, team leader Staša Belca scored 10 points.
The tournament format placed all teams into the round of 16 following group-stage play, with subsequent rounds determining final placements through August 9.
Upcoming Quarterfinal Matchup Against France
Latvia advances to face the French national team in Thursday’s quarterfinal fixture scheduled for 19:00 Latvian time. The winner moves closer to the championship podium, while the tournament continues sorting placements across the European bracket.
Meanwhile, the Latvian U-18 men’s basketball team experienced a different path in their respective European Championship competition, finishing Group D in third position after losing 67-89 to Italy, defeating Estonia 64-58, and falling 87-92 to Spain. Head coach Sandis Buškevics leads the men’s squad alongside assistant coaches Normunds Lišiks and Gints Fogels.
The men’s team roster features Ralfs Mūrnieks (Bertānu VBS), Gustavs Brutāns and Rets Veinbergs (both from Ulm, Germany), Edgars Lieķis and Roberts Valdis Bērziņš (both from Liepāja/LSSS), Olivers Krilkovs (Vanoli Cremona, Italy), Raivo Kudrjavcevs (Rīgas zeļļi), Markuss Tēbelis and Rihards Čerņevskis (both from Mārupes NSS/LU), Roberts Rotčenkovs (Spanish BA, Spain), Jēkabs Graudiņš (Ventspils Spars/VeA), and Ralfs Aleksandrovs (Gulbenes Buki/BJSS).
Following a 76-86 round-of-16 defeat against Slovenia, the Latvian men’s team prepared to face Bulgaria on Saturday in a battle for 13th through 16th places, where securing 13th place would allow them to retain their spot in the strongest division. The bottom three teams in the tournament will play in Division B during the following year’s European U-18 Championship.
Prior to the main tournament, the men’s national team underwent an extensive preparation schedule. During their first series of test matches in Riga, the squad fell to Israel (65-73) and Turkey (71-78) while defeating Georgia (82-67). In a subsequent preparation tournament held in Spain, the team secured a 73-60 victory against Lithuania, lost 58-65 to Serbia, and dropped a close 68-69 match to Spain. During the Baltic Cup, Latvia was defeated 66-73 by Estonia, bounced back with a 75-64 win over Poland, and narrowly lost 76-77 to Lithuania.
