The Latvians lost at home with the score 51:82 (12:20, 12:18, 10:23, 17:21).
In subgroup E, after four games, France has four wins, Latvia and Israel have two each, and Ireland has experienced four losses. Israel and Ireland must win their remaining two matches to qualify for the finals.
Anete Šteinberga scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Latvian national team, also committing six fouls, while Kitty Laksa had 18 points and two steals. Louise Silas won eight balls under the baskets.
Gabby Williams stood out for the French women with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Opponents had significantly better shooting accuracy from the field (47%/33%), especially on two-pointers (57%/34%). Also, the French national team won more balls under the basket (41/32) and made fewer mistakes (16/25).
At the beginning of the game, the hosts could not stop the attacks of the French, especially Gabby Williams, who made several half shots. In the first quarter, Latvian basketball players led by 14 points, but in the last minutes they reduced the advantage of their opponents (10:20).
The French lead was also reduced to ten points in the third quarter (34:44), but later the guests responded with a 17-0 breakthrough and decided the outcome of the match.
The Latvian team started the Group E tournament in November 2023 with an away loss to France (49:71), in February in Riga they beat Israel with 86:83 in overtime, and on Thursday they defeated Ireland at home with 85:53.
On the other hand, after the victory over Latvia with 100:48, the French women won over Ireland and defeated Israel with 94:52.
In subgroup E, France has three victories in the same matches, Latvia has two successes, Israeli basketball players have won one, but Ireland has lost all three games.
Latvian basketball players have prepared for matches with 15 players.
Aigars Nerips and Matīss Rožlapa help the head coach Mārtiņš Gulbi in his work in the national team.
The winners of the eight groups, as well as four of the eight runners-up, will get a ticket to the EC final tournament. When comparing the results achieved in different groups, the number of victories won, as well as the difference in points won and lost in all group tournament games, will be taken into account.
Latvian national team candidates:
Anete Šteinberga (“Polkowice”, Poland), Elizabete Bulāne, Līna Loceniece (both – Klaipeda LCC, Lithuania), Paula Strautmane (“Charnay”, France), Ketija Wichmane, Ilze Jākobsone, Anna Liepiņa, (all – “TTT Riga” ), Aleksa Gulbe (DVTK of Miskolc, Hungary), Laura Melder (Campobaso “La Molisana Magnolia”, Italy), Vanessa Jas (Lasevas Durželas “Cadi La Seu”, Spain), Luise Silas (Vigo “Celta Femxa Zorka”, Spain), Kitty Laksa (Skio “Famila”, Italy), Kate Vilka (“Neptunes” of Klaipeda, Lithuania), Katrína Ozola (EAC of Budapest, Hungary), Digna Strautmane (Wroclaw “Sleza”, Poland).
Source: www.diena.lv
