Four home games for super talented Latvia to get ready for World Cup

RIGA (Latvia) - Latvia will tune-up for their first appearance at a FIBA Basketball World Cup with games against Sweden, Georgia, the Dominican Republic and Finland.

In a so-called "group of death" at the World Cup in Jakarta with Canada, France, and Lebanon, the Latvians will try to find their rhythm in important warm-up games.

First will come a home clash in Liepaja on August 2 with the Swedes, who are preparing for the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Turkey.

Latvia and Sweden faced off in the European Qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup, with the Baltic side prevailing in each encounter.

Latvia's Mareks Mejeris taking on Sweden's Viktor Gaddefors in the European Qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup

The other three preparation games will be at the Arena Riga.

Georgia, who have also qualified for the World Cup for the first time, will be Latvia's second friendly game opponent on August 5. Georgia have won their last four encounters against Latvia.

Latvia host the Dominican Republic on August 16. The Dominicans, who are coached by Nestor "Che" Garcia, will be formidable opposition. The team has played in the last two World Cups, finishing 13th out of 24 teams in 2014 after advancing to the Round of 16. With Garcia at the helm in 2019 in China, the Dominican Republic upset Germany in the Group Phase and ended up 16th out of 32 teams.

Another preparation game for Latvia will be against Finland on August 16. The Finns played at the 2014 World Cup, and missed out in 2019 but were the first European team to qualify for 2019. Led by NBA All-Star Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, the Susijengi reached the Quarter-Finals of FIBA EuroBasket 2022 before falling in a close game to eventual champions Spain.

If Latvia can get out of their First Round group, they could go on a deep run at the World Cup because the roster will be about as talented and exciting as any other from Europe.

NBA stars Kristaps Porzingis and Davis Bertans were among the players named in the preliminary squad and both are expected to play, along with other stars like European-based Rodions Kurucs, Mareks Mejeris, Dairis Bertans, Janis Timma and Rolands Smits.

FIBA