By Antonis Stroggylakis / astroggylakis@eurohoops.net
Jakarta, Indonesia – Approximately 2,000 to 2,500 fans from Latvia are estimated to have arrived at Jakarta, Indonesia to see their national team compete in the World Cup for the first time in the history of the country.
Against France, they sounded like 10 times more. At least to Latvia big man Rolands Smits.
“It felt we’re playing in Latvia,” Smits said, moments after his team’s triumph that pushed them to the next phase of the World Championship. “The gym is full of Latvian people. It’s amazing that they came so far away to cheer us.”
This crowd celebrated one of the greatest wins in the history of Latvia (at least the “biggest since 1935” when the team won the EuroBasket, according to forward Davis Bertans). A historic result that also pushed international giant and gold medal contender France to a shocking early exit from the competition.
The bang of the upset was heard all the way to Riga. And Smits played a pivotal part in making it happen.
Against a frontline lineup that includes three-time NBA DPOY Rudy Gobert, notable EuroLeague big men Mathias Lessort, Moustapha Fall and Guerschon Yabusele, Smits had the best game in his life with Latvia at a senior level. A national team pesonal record of 20 points on a truly efficient 8-10 shots.
“I think I did OK,” Smits declared, rather humbly, with a smile that wouldn’t leave his face. “In general, everyone played good. Every player who entered the floor gave the maximum and really that’s why we won the game.”
Smits believes that the team’s diversity and was in full swing vs. France. “We can run the floor, we are physical, we are fast. I think we are a very special team because of that,” the 28-year-old big man said.
Rodions Kurucs, who debuts with Latvia in a major tournament, attributed this victory to Latvia’s team-first mentality and stubborn refusal to back down.
“We are fighters. This is our character. We were fighting the whole game,” a rather hyped Kurucs said.
Indeed, Latvia found some key points from hustle plays and energetic reactions that got them some invaluable extra possessions, especially in the decisive fouth period.
They finished the game with 13 steals and got 26 points off turnovers along with 22 after second-chance opportunities. France, that committed 20 turnovers, had 17 and 13 points respectively in these categories.
“That’s how we came up with the win,” Kurucs added. “I played the whole game fighting on defense. We were sharing the ball really well. Every 50-50 ball, every rebound, we fought for it.”
Kurucs stayed on the floor for 30 minutes, the second-most after Smits’ 30:24. While the 25-year-old forward didn’t take many shots (1-3) to finish with two points, he provided five rebounds, four assists and two steals for just one turnover while putting on an highly active effort on the defensive end.
When all was said and done, Kurucs enjoyed more than anything the way the win came: With a comeback from down 10 in the fourth period and in the very last minute.
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“It’s the best feeling,” Kurucs mentioned. “Especially when you are down the whole minutes and then at the end of the game you go up by 1.”
“Beating a titan like France it’s amazing. it’s an unbelievable feeling,” he added.
While Smits, and other Latvia players want to keep a calm approach regarding their potential in the World Cup, Kurucs doesn’t hesitate in expressing his belief that his team is up for a long run if he and his teammates keep performing like that.
“We can go as far as we want. It’s up to us”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL