Just a day following the heartbreak of a tense defeat to Germany in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila, the Latvian squad faces a challenging task: regrouping and competing against another formidable opponent, Italy.
In accordance with the tournament’s format, teams eliminated in the quarterfinal stage are obligated to face off against each other to determine their final standings. While this arrangement can sometimes lack the same excitement, the Latvian team remains determined to exit on a high note, with Italy presenting an opportunity to secure an impressive victory.
Adding intrigue to the match is the fact that Latvia’s coach, Luca Banchi, hails from Italy, and he undoubtedly harbors a desire to claim victory against his home country and his counterpart, Gianmarco Pozzecco.
The game in Manila is scheduled to commence at 11:45 Rīga time (16:45 local time).
Later in the day, Lithuania will square off against Slovenia in another playoff showdown.
