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22 June, 2016
02 July
15/06/2016
News
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Gulbe looking to keep the magic alive with Latvia

RIGA (2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship) - The process of clinching Latvia a maiden spot at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship will remain etched forever in the heart of Aleksa Gulbe.

What happened in Matosinhos last year at the 2015 FIBA U16 Women's European Championship wrote the forward and her team-mates into Latvian basketball folklore, as they penned an exciting and historic chapter.

The recipe for our team is still our personality, since we are very friendly with each other and kind of funny because we can understand each other even just from eye contact - Gulbe.

Now another glorious fresh page is about to be turned in Zaragoza, with Gulbe looking to keep the magic alive.

"My memories from Matosinhos and the tournament last year are very special and awesome," she smiled.

"Especially the feelings that we got after the game when we beat Hungary to qualify for the FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship - because we had made history.

"That was such a big moment not only for us, but for our families and for the whole of Latvian basketball.

"Even after almost 12 months, we are still appreciating those results we made in Matosinhos."

It has and of course still, is a very big deal in Latvian basketball circles, - as evidenced by men’s senior star Janis Blums recently proclaiming his support.

Meanwhile, having fun and enjoying their ascendancy is at the heart of what this Latvia team do, according to Gulbe. More importantly, it is not something that is about to change as they enter these unchartered but hugely exciting waters.

She explained: "In my opinion, the recipe for our team is still our personality, since we are very friendly with each other and kind of funny because we can understand each other even just from eye contact.

"Our goal in Zaragoza is to play as well as we can and to reach the highest possible place. The teams in our group are strong and we don't know what to expect from them."

Having led the way in both scoring and rebounding last year when harvesting 12.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, Gulbe has since been honing her skills outside of her homeland in Italy.

That is something which can only benefit her country when she carries a major chunk of their hopes into maiden games against Canada, Japan and Nigeria in Group A.

FIBA