Latvia’s U18 men’s national team (players born in 2008/2009) concluded the FIBA U18 European Championship Division A in 14th place after suffering a heartbreaking 71–73 defeat to Austria in the final classification game in Trento, Italy, on Sunday, 2 August. As a result, Latvia has lost its place in Division A and will compete in Division B next summer.
In Saturday’s classification game against Bulgaria, Latvia took control early in the second quarter and held the lead for most of the contest, briefly surrendering it only midway through the third period (52–56, 25th minute). Although the lead reached 73–63 in the 33rd minute, Bulgaria mounted a late comeback, narrowing the gap to 77–80 in the penultimate minute. Latvia held on for an 87–81 victory (22–25, 45–40, 70–61), with crucial late baskets from Markuss Tēbelis, Roberts Rotčenkovs, and Ralfs Aleksandrovs.
Despite being outrebounded 33–47, Latvia committed fewer turnovers (12–18) and enjoyed a significant advantage from beyond the arc, converting 12 of 35 three-point attempts compared with Bulgaria’s 3 of 17.
Raivo Kudrjavcevs led Latvia with 15 points and seven assists, while Gustavs Brutāns added 14 points and seven rebounds, Markuss Tēbelis scored 14 points, and Ralfs Aleksandrovs contributed 11.
In the decisive relegation game against Austria, Latvia controlled the game until the middle of the fourth quarter, leading by as many as 14 points (49–35) in the 24th minute. Austria erased the deficit over the next ten minutes and moved ahead 62–58 in the 34th minute. Latvia regained the lead at 69–66 and tied the game at 71–71 with seven seconds remaining, but Austria scored the game-winning basket at the buzzer to claim a 73–71 victory (18–14, 40–31, 53–48).
Latvia narrowly won the rebounding battle 39–34, but Austria proved more efficient offensively, particularly inside the arc, converting 23 of 45 two-point attempts compared with Latvia’s 17 of 34. Austria also outscored Latvia 42–34 in points scored in the paint.
Raivo Kudrjavcevs finished with 16 points, while Ralfs Mūrnieks and Ralfs Aleksandrovs each added 11.
Final standings
Champions: Slovenia defeated Italy 88–71 in the final.
Other placement games:
- 3rd place: France defeated Spain 74–69
- 5th place: Germany defeated Greece 99–69
- 7th place: Israel defeated Türkiye 85–79
- 9th place: Serbia defeated Estonia 77–67
- 11th place: Lithuania defeated Denmark 91–83
- 13th place: Austria defeated Latvia 73–71
- 15th place: Slovakia defeated Bulgaria 74–72
