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Latvia’s national basketball team is undergoing a shift in leadership and player selection as it prepares for the 2024 FIBA World Cup european Qualifiers. Forward Robert Blumbergs has been reinstated to the roster by newly appointed head coach Luca Alonso, signaling a change in direction from the previous regime under Lukas Banki [[1]].Latvia will compete in Group F against the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria, beginning a challenging qualification process toward a return to the World Cup stage after a strong showing at the 2023 tournament [[2]].
Robert Blumbergs has been recalled to the Latvian national team roster under new head coach Luca Alonso, marking a return to contention after being overlooked during the tenure of previous coach Lukas Banki.
“Roberts is highly motivated to play for the national team,” Alonso stated. “He’s been playing very well in the Turkish league. He isn’t a traditional power forward. I expect a lot from him. If he can play at his best level, he can contribute a great deal to the team, and I hope to see that.”
Latvia will begin its quest for a spot in the 2024 FIBA World Cup Final Tournament in Group F of the European Qualifiers, facing the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria twice each.
The top three teams from Group F, carrying their records forward, will join the top three from Group E (Germany, Croatia, Israel, Cyprus) in a second qualifying round. The three highest-placed teams from this combined group will secure their berths in the World Cup finals. This qualifying process is crucial for Latvia as they aim to build on their recent basketball success.
Latvia Men’s National Team Roster:
Adrians Andzevs, Dairis Bertāns, Kristaps Ķilps (all – VEF Rīga), Roberts Blumbergs (Izmir Petkim Spor, Turkey), Ojārs Siliņš (Warsaw Legia, Poland), Mareks Mejeris (Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland), Klāvs Čavars (Baku Sabah, Azerbaijan), Rihards Lomažs (Klaipėda Neptūnas, Lithuania), Ričards Aizpurs (Stella Azzurra, Italy), Mārcis Šteinbergs (Manresa Baxi, Spain), Anžejs Pasečņiks (Lioneers, Taiwan), Toms Skuja (Ludwigsburg Riesen, Germany), Kārlis Šiliņš (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Toms Leimanis (without a club), Artūrs Kurucs (Lugo Rio Breogan, Spain).
