The scenario feared in Latvia and Lithuania has happened - two neighboring and friendly countries, but also great basketball rivals, will collide in the round of 16 of the EuroBasket.
Riga is ready for a spectacle, the Baltic derby will mark the first day of the knockout stage, and along with the clash between Italy and Slovenia, it is certainly the most exciting match in this phase of the European Championship.
Super Saturday in the "Šaomi Arena" starts at 11 am when Turkey and Sweden meet, it will continue with the duel between Germany and Portugal (14.15:17.30 pm), the neighbors will clinch at 20.45:XNUMX pm, while the first day of the round of XNUMX will be closed by Serbia and Finland at XNUMX:XNUMX pm. The remaining matches of this round will be played on Sunday.
When it comes to a clash between two former Soviet republics, it is difficult to predict the winner, but according to many, Latvia has a slight advantage - due to the home field, but also the troubles with the Lithuanian squad, which was left without Rokas Jokubaitis before the knockout stage.
Tradition is on Lithuania's side, having won three of their four official matches so far. However, Latvia won the last one during the 2023 World Basketball Championship, and was also better in a friendly match just before this EuroBasket.
- It doesn't matter who our opponent is in the round of 16, because when we play good basketball we can beat anyone - said Latvian ace Davis Bertans.
Since Jokubaitis is no longer there, Lithuania's game organization will depend mostly on Arnas Velička.
- I'm sorry about Rokas, but that's sport and we're all here to make up for his absence. Tournaments like this are unpredictable and anything is possible. We still have a lot of good players and I think we can achieve our goal - Velička emphasized.
The Ataman doesn't like to wound, he returned to Mumbra
Turkey shone in the group stage, winning every match including the derby with Serbia, and because of all this, coach Ergin Ataman expected a better time for his team, instead of getting up early and playing the game at 11 a.m. - exactly at noon local time.
- This is disrespectful on the part of FIBA towards the group winner, I think it's not right for us to play so early - the trophy expert is angry.
However...
- They can make us play at three in the morning, but we will fulfill our goal, which is to fight for medals.
After Turkey, world champions Germany will take the field - they should have no problems with Portugal, and they will be stronger for coach Alex Mumbru, who missed the group stage due to illness.
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Serbia was defeated in the derby by Turkey, but remains the favorite in the fight for medals and must confirm this against the uncomfortable Finland led by Lauri Markkanen.
The day before the match, the national team's coach, Svetislav Pešić, was visited by Dragan Stojković, the coach of the Serbian national football team, which also plays a World Cup qualifying match against Latvia tomorrow (15 p.m.).
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