RIGA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Davis Bertans thrived for Latvia at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 in Istanbul and recently in the third window of the European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

At the EuroBasket, Bertans showed both panache and grit as his country reached the Quarter-Finals before falling in arguably the best game of the tournament to eventual champions Slovenia, 103-97.

In his first two appearances in the European Qualifiers, an 82-72 win at Sweden on June 28 and a 93-71 triumph at Ukraine on July 1, Bertans averaged 17.5 points and shot 44.4 percent (8 of 18) from 3-point range in 25.6 minutes per game.

“IT’S GREAT TO PLAY AT HOME BECAUSE WE FEEL SO MUCH LOVE, A GROWING PASSION FOR BASKETBALL AND FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND AS A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER AND A BASKETBALL LOVER, IT’S VERY NICE TO SEE THIS NEW AND GREAT ATMOSPHERE AROUND OUR SPORT.”- Bertans

Latvia went into the third window uncertain if they would even advance to the Second Round but Bertans brought assuredness. There was no way when he was on the court, it seemed, that the Baltic side was going to lose.

"We did a great job in those last two games and achieved our first goal, which was to get four wins before starting the next round," he said. "You never know what to expect in games away from home and you have to play very well, mostly on the defensive end, to get the win, and that is exactly what we did.

"We had great teamwork on both ends of the floor and we were happy with the way we played. Now, our minds are focused on the Second Round and on trying to get a spot for the next World Cup. There are still plenty of games to win to get to China 2019, but we would like to be there next summer."

Latvia will resume their campaign on September 14 at home to Slovenia.

"It’s great to start this second phase at home because we will have the support of the entire nation," Bertans said. "When you play at home, you feel a great energy, a very intense support that can help you a lot during a game. Playing at home can be a great positive difference maker and it is going to be very important to have great games, and win at home during the Second Round of the campaign.

“IT'S SO SPECIAL AND UNIQUE FOR AN ATHLETE TO COMPETE AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AND WEAR THE NATIONAL TEAM JERSEY. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED TO DO SO, AND THIS LOVE WILL LAST FOR A LONG TIME.”- Bertans

"It’s great to play home because we feel so much love, a growing passion for basketball and for the national team in the last couple of years, and as a professional player and a basketball lover, it’s very nice to see this new and great atmosphere around our sport. I am proud and happy to be part of this great time for Latvian basketball, and with the support of our entire nation and fans, we will keep building for more."

Latvia will play at Spain on September 17. They will also take on Montenegro in Group I, with the first of their two meetings at home in the fifth window on November 29.

"We have very competitive teams to compete against, such as Spain, who have been probably the best team in Europe for more than a decade, and Slovenia, the current European champion," Bertans said. "But we would be naïve to think that the other teams couldn’t fight for a spot. In this qualification system, with all those windows, every team can win and compete for a spot at China 2019.

"In the Second Round, only the best teams remain and every team has the right to be ambitious with the goal of going to next year’s tournament. We will need to win as many games we can because our goal is to take Latvia to China next year."

Latvia were a formidable side with Bertans in the lineup at Ukraine

Bertans has enjoyed competing for clubs in Europe, and loved his time in the United States the past two years with the San Antonio Spurs. Putting on the Latvia shirt, something he first did with the senior team at FIBA EuroBasket 2011, is always important to him, too.

"I feel very proud when representing my country," he said. "It's so special and unique for an athlete to compete at international level and wear the national team jersey. I have always loved to do so, and this love will last for a long time. I have played at international level for a couple of years now, and I hope that I will do it for plenty more.

"We all want to keep competing at the highest level and to put Latvia among the top teams in the world, so we have to qualify for next year’s FIBA World Cup."

FIBA