Latvia look to the future
RIGA (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) – Latvia are ready to turn the page again after opting for an initial candidate list of 18 players for the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Final Round.
Fresh from landing a EuroLeague Women title as an assistant coach with Dynamo Kursk last weekend, Latvia national team play-caller Martin Zibarts is getting down to business in trying to write an exciting new chapter.
That's because the legendary Anete Jekabsone, who rolled back the years to lead Latvia in both scoring and assists during the Qualifiers, may have played her last game for her country. She has not been playing club basketball during 2016-17 and was not included in the squad.
This will place a lot of onus on another experienced performer in Gunta Basko-Melnbarde who is heading for a stunning seventh Final Round, while there is a real buzz about a new generation including sister act, Pauline and Digna Strautmane.
LATVIA 18-PLAYER SQUAD FOR FIBA EUROBASKET WOMEN 2017
| Elina Babkina | Gunta Basko-Melnbarde | Baiba Eglite | Anna Dreimane |
| Ilze Jakobsone | Ieva Krastina | Kate Kreslina | Ieva Kulite |
| Kitija Laksa | Liene Priede | Aija Putnina | Dita Rozenberga |
| Anete Steinberga | Digna Strautmane | Paula Strautmane | Ruta Veidere |
| Liga Vente | Kristine Vitola |
There is also EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women experience from this past season with ZVVS USK Prague center Anete Steinberga and Galatasaray frontcourt star, Kristine Vitola.
"The candidate list of 18 basketball players, of which 10 have already played in a Final Round, has both experience and new talent," mused Zibarts.
"Among the candidates for the center position are two potential debutantes. Anna Dreimane has played during recent years in the Latvian youth selections and has now debuted in the US College basketball.
"Liga Vente played in the Latvian University team then studied in the US and has been playing in the second league of Italy.
"I hope all players will be ready to train and play, but Zenta Melnika and Sabine Niedola have decided not to play this summer for family reasons and an injury.
"Both have asked us to respect their decision and they hope that there will be another chance to play for the national side [in the future]," added Zibarts.
Latvia have also confirmed a number of preparation games including a double-header with Ukraine on May 18 and 19 in Riga, a tournament in Karlovy Vary against hosts Czech Republic, Serbia and China, then two games against Belarus on June 2 and 3 back in Riga and back-to-back games with Turkey in Istanbul on June 9 and 10.
FIBA
