RIGA (Latvia) - Basketball really is beautiful. A total of 10,291 fans were in attendance to watch the neighborhood duel between Latvia and Estonia, spread evenly in the stands, making it impossible to tell if there were more blue or burgundy jerseys in Riga.
With fans of both teams sitting next to each other and cheering after each good move from their respective teams, it was a 40-minute long party, one that will keep the noise ringing in our heads long after this game is archived.
It finished 72-70, Latvia picking up their first win, while Estonia dropped to 0-2 after two games in Group A.
Turning Point
While it was a colorful affair among the fans, the floor offered something completely different. A physical game straight out of the 1990s, where each possession felt like a bar fight, especially when it went down to the wire.
Estonia had a 61-54 lead late in the third, but Kristaps Porzingis fueled a quick 9-0 run with six points and the assist to Kristers Zoriks for a triple which saw Latvia take a 63-61 lead into the fourth stanza.
Remember the bar fight part? It was on full display in the final period, as both teams struggled to get a good look at the rim.
The first points of the fourth were scored with four minutes left to play, as Porzingis pushed Latvia's lead to 65-61.
Estonia, meanwhile, failed to score in Q4 until the 2:00 mark, when Kristian Kullamae's three cut their deficit to 66-64.
Porzingis responded with a dunk, while Matthias Tass missed both free throws, setting the stage for another Porzingis and-one move, sealing the deal at 71-64 with a minute to play.
TCL Player of the Game
Without big guys on their roster, Estonia opted to push Kristaps Porzingis with smaller guys, and it took him a bit to get used to the coverage, with three quick turnovers to start the game.
However, once he figured it out, it was always going to be his way. Latvia's big man finished the Baltic clash with 26 points, which felt like 52 in such a low scoring game.
Stats Don't Lie
Got to make your free throws. Estonia went 18-of-25 from the line, Latvia were 22-of-27, the fine margin between the teams that changed the outcome of the game.
Bottom Line
Latvia rose to 2-0, but not without drama, escaping from a -12 hole in this game. Coach Luca Banchi will need answers fast, as Porzingis remained his only player in double figures against Estonia.
The brave Estonians put up a beautiful fight, but find themselves down at 0-2. Matthias Tass and Artur Konontsuk scored 13 apiece, Kullamae had 12 with 8 assists and 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough.
They said
"It was difficult, but we're happy we won such a physical game, we almost played rugby, and not basketball. It's tough winning a game like this, but I'm happy with the way we played until the end. Winning by two, three or four, it doesn't matter." - Davis Bertans, Latvia
"We're expecting to face the best team of the EuroBasket. We need to play our best game, on defense and offense, we need to shoot a bit better than today, but the physicality needs to be almost on this level." - Bertans looking forward to facing Serbia
"It's not possible, I don't think so. This guy is a mastermind of basketball. We'll do our best, for sure, try to make it as difficult as we can for him, but we have a great challenge. A great opportunity, also. We're gonna leave it all out there and try to fight with this guy." - Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia, answering how to stop Nikola Jokic in the upcoming game
For more quotes, tune in to the official post-game press conference!
FIBA