History of Latvia in 3×3 basketball

The Olympic Games are important in life of very person who want to be in professional sport.  It’s life opportunity to show the whole planet what you have been practicing many years. 3×3 basketball has evolved over previous decade and its popularity grown rapidly.  It became Olympics discipline and everyone involved in this was very happy with that decision.

3×3 basketball had “debut appearance” during 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.  They should have been held in 2020, but pandemic happened. Latvia became winner in Japan and put them officially in the map of this beautiful game.

Let’s see how Latvian path to what they are today was.

What was the first competition Latvia participated in?

Latvian 3×3 national squad qualified for first-ever World Cup in this sport. Latvia was represented in Athens in 2012 by:  Ervin Jonas, Kristaps Kanbergs, Edgars Krumins, and Lauris Mizis. Soviet country was competing in pool B together with Slovenia, Serbia, Spain, Czech Republic, and Nepal.

Unfortunately, they won only against Asian country Nepal. Latvian players ended up in fifth position in pool and were eliminated from tournament. That was end of beliefs of Latvian spectators that medal can be won at planetary championships in debut appearance.

What was the next challenge for this Soviet country?

Latvia participated in the Europe Cup in Amsterdam in September, 2017. This country was playing in group B along with Slovenia and Czech Republic. Soviet country won against Czech Republic with  20-15 and lost to Slovenia with 13-11.

Latvian roster included Agnis Cavars, Edgars Krumins, Karlis Lasmanis, and Nauris Miezis. France was beaten in the Top 8 stage with 17-12 and Serbia was defeated with 19-17 in the semi.

Krumins and teammates pulled out a 16-13 victory over Slovenia in the final game and brought historic first trophy to their country.

What was the next planetary championship for Latvian roster?

2018 World Cup was held in Philippines in Manila city and Latvia qualified for the first time since 2012. They came with high ambitions to Asia as Nauris Miezis, Agnis Cavars, Karlis Lasmanis, and Edgars Krumins were in squad.

Croatia, Ukraine, Nigeria, and Jordan were other members of pool D in the main tournament. Latvia defeated all four opponents and earned ticket for the first elimination stage.

Nauris Miezis and friends lost to Poland in the quarterfinal with 21-15. The competition ended earlier than expected.

How was the Latvian result in their second Europe Cup?

Karlis Lasmanis and his teammates were disappointed after ending up tournament in the quarterfinals three months earlier in the World Cup. Europe Cup in Romania was another chance for showing good display.

Latvia had opponents Hungary and Romania in pool C in Bucharest in September. Soviet republic defeated both teams and deservedly qualified for quarterfinal. Spain was beaten in the Top 8 phase with 21-18. Defending champion pulled out a 21-20 victory over Slovenia in the semi.

Final game was special challenge as Serbia, power force in 3×3 basketball, was waiting. Bulut’s Serbia won against heroes of today’s story with 19-18 and crushed their dreams about another trophy.

How did Latvia react to loss in the final against Serbia?

Same players from previous campaign remained members of the squad for the World Cup 2019 in Amsterdam. Latvia competed with Poland, Australia, Japan, and Brazil in pool D.

Heroes of our paragraphs lost to the Poland, but won against Australia, Japan, and Brazil. It was sufficient for earning ticket for quarterfinal.

Latvian players defeated easily another Soviet Republic with 21-7.  They beat Serbs with 22-19 in the semifinal.  USA was too strong in the game for gold medal. Latvian audience was satisfied with performance of their compatriots.

What happened after two silver medals with Latvian squad?

Latvia performed in Hungary at the Europe Cup 2019. The roster of this Soviet country stayed unchanged for tournament held in city Debrecen. Latvian players had opponents Austria and Lithuania in the pool D.

Nauris Miezis and friends suffered two defeats and ended the competition after group stage. Austria beat them with 18-16, while they lost to their neighbors Lithuania with 22-14. It was big disappointment after setting big expectations ahead of this Europe Cup.

How far did Latvia go at the 2021 Olympic Games?

Agnis Cavars, Edgars Krumins, Karlis Lasmanis, and Nauris Miezis were members of Olympic Latvian squad in Tokyo Olympic Games. Eight teams competed in one league and each country played against every other country.

Latvia defeated  Poland, China, Japan, and Netherland in the pool. They were beaten by Serbia, ROC (Russian Olympic Committee), and Belgium. Heroes of our story took third place in the standings. Latvian stars proceeded to the next stage with 4-3 score where they played against Japan.

Japan was defeated with 21-18 and Belgium was beaten with 21-8 in the semi . Big Soviet clash in the final was seen where Latvia pulled out a 21-18 victory over ROC. Historic gold was won and this generation can proudly say they were first winners in the Olympic Games in 3×3.

You can watch full final game here:

Which was the first competition in 2022 Latvia took part in?

Latvia missed to qualify for 2021 Europe Cup in Paris later that year. They couldn’t confirm their superiority in the world right after Olympic Games. All they could do was preparing for two challengers in 2021: World Cup in Belgium and Europe Cup which was planned to be held in Austria.

Arturs Strelnieks replaced Edgars Krumins in the Latvian roster for planetary championship. Soviet country was playing in group C with Netherlands, Poland, China, and Japan.  Netherland beat current Olympic champion and remaining three games ended with a Latvian victory.

Karlis Lasmanis and friends qualified for Top 16 where they beat Germany with 21-12. Unfortunately, Serbia was strong in the quarterfinals. Latvian road to glory finished in the Top 8 stage and audience in Soviet country was devastated. Oscillations in performances of Latvian squad were visible and that’s somehow characteristic of their results in the previous decade.

What happened in 2022 Europe Cup with Latvian squad?

Edgars Krumins returned to Latvian squad for 2022 Europe Cup in Austrian city Graz. Latvia, led by Big3 star Karlis Lasmanis, was member of group C in 7^th edition of continental championship. Other teams in that pool were Poland and Montenegro. Soviet country won both games and earned ticket for the quarterfinal.

Israel was defeated easily in Top 8 stage with 21-8, while Lithuania was beaten with 21-20 in the semifinal. Final game was between big rivals Latvia and Serbia in front of wild crowd in Austria.

Serbia pulled out a 21-14 victory over Latvians and became a champion for the fourth time.

Latvia is an Olympic champion and they deserve full appreciation for what they have done in that tournament. Actually, whole history of this country in this beautiful game is example how work in one national association should function.

They have evolved over past couple of years and their progress was evident. Their biggest star Karlis Lasmanis is playing in Big3 league and that’s a big indicator how strong is Latvian squad. Their work ethic inspired me to write this story. Discipline of this Soviet country is something we all should look up to.