RIGA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Latvia's Davis Bertans has confirmed he'll be with the Baltic side when it plays at Sweden and Ukraine, giving the team a potent offensive weapon in two very important FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers.

The Latvians go into the third window with two wins in their four games and sit in third place in Group B behind Ukraine and Turkey.

"THE PREPARATION STAGE WILL BE VERY SHORT, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNITE AS A SINGLE TEAM IN A SHORT TIME."Bertans

Bertans, who averaged 14 points per game and shot 17 of 38 (44.7 percent) from three-point range at FIBA EuroBasket 2017, has told the Latvian Basketball Federation (LBS) website that he'll  join the team from the beginning.

"Next week," he said, "when the official training camp starts."

There can be no underestimating the potential impact of Bertans, who was sensational for his country in 2017.

He was not only lethal from deep, but fearless when attacking the basket, no matter who was guarding the rim.

Bertans contributed in every way imaginable, including defensively. He showed the ability to do it all in last year's Group Phase showdown with Serbia, a game Latvia narrowly lost. Bertans even rejected Serbia's giant center, Boban Marjanovic.

The 25-year-old knows precisely what he and his teammates need to emphasize heading into the third window.

"The preparation stage will be very short, so it's important to unite as a single team in a short time," he said. "There must be very good defense. If we hold the opponents below 70 points, there will be good opportunities to win."

Latvia conceded 82 points in their home defeat to Ukraine on February 23.

They also gave up 85 in their first game of the Qualifiers, a 12-point defeat at Turkey in Bursa. Latvia did allow Sweden to pour in 73 points in their first meeting in November, but managed to prevail by nine in that contest.

Latvia have yet to clinch their place in the Second Round of the World Cup Qualifiers so everyone in the national team understands what is at stake in the third window. Every win carries over to the Second Round.

Bertans knows their opponents will also be feeling a sense of urgency.

"The Swedes are very serious about the summer games and do not doubt that the Ukrainians will be, too," he warned. "Everyone will be stronger than in the winter."

"WE (BERTANS BROTHERS) HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO PLAY TOGETHER AND IT'S A SPECIAL PLEASURE THAT WE CAN DO IT IN THE LATVIAN TEAM."Bertans

Bertans is looking forward to the World Cup Qualifiers for another reason. He's excited to see his brother, Dairis, who is one of the top point guards in Europe.

Dairis Bertans, like Davis, is yet to feature in the Qualifiers but he has underlined his importance to the cause on numerous occasions over the years.

He also played exceptionally well in last year's game against Serbia. The Bertans brothers were a vicious one-two punch for the Latvians.

"We have always wanted to play together and it's a special pleasure that we can do it in the Latvian team," Davis Bertans said.

Bertans' NBA season did not finish as he'd hoped, with his San Antonio Spurs falling to eventual champions Golden State in the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. He averaged 16.4 minutes per game in the series. Since that time, he's been busy.

"I feel good," he said. "I'm both relaxing and able to work in the gym. We traveled to Europe, along with my wife, for two weeks, and visited my brother in Milan."

That is where Dairis Bertans plays. He is currently in the Italian league finals, with his EA7 Emporio Armani Milano side leading Dolomiti Energia Trentino 3-2 in the best-of-seven showdown.

"Since the beginning of June, I've been working in the gym - I'm working on the details of individual technique," Davis Bertans said.

Latvia will be looking to capitalize on his hard work in their two most important games of the summer, at Sweden on June 28 and then at Ukraine on July 1.

FIBA