RIGA (Latvia) - Wandering around the streets of Riga, basketball could probably be perceived in the air on those days. Hosting International competitions both in 2024 and 2025, Latvia wants its people to enjoy, starting from the first obstacles in Group A.
The Favorite: Latvia
As said, Luca Banchi's team will count on major support from Latvian fans. Debuting on Baltic the national team's bench when pandemic restrictions were still a thing back in 2021, he will now fully enjoy the carmine red-and-white flags all over the Arena Riga.
Home-crowd push is already a big reason to stand by the following thesis: "Latvia is the clear favorite in Group A of the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga". But what about a 23-3 run that goes way back to the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Pre-Qualifiers?
Despite not having on board its biggest star, the recently-crowned NBA Champion Kristaps Porzingis, this is the same core of players that delivered upsets over upsets in Jakarta and Manila. Shocking the world, they're now fully prepared for the Olympic road.
The Underdog: Philippines
If Latvia is the favorite to stand on top of Group A and Georgia follows immediately next, the Philippines seems to be the least likely to qualify for the Semi-Finals. Even grabbing a last-minute 2nd spot looks uphill on paper in this solid three-team cluster.
One of the few reasons to hope for Tim Cone's national team is resting one day more approaching the competition. Reversing the medal, however, two back-to-back tough matchups with Latvia (03/07 at 18:00 CET) and Georgia (04/07 at 14:30 CET) expect them.
However, positivity is the right attitude to head over Riga to pull off a surprising upset against either of the two national teams. So why are the Philippines considered valuable underdogs in this seven-day Olympic appetizer in Latvia?
Well, they're the only of the three capable of getting to the Olympic stage multiple times in the past - the last one came at Munich in 1972. Finally, this could be Kai Sotto's leading tournament against strong opponents. What if he brings them back to contention?
The Pivotal Game: Georgia vs Latvia
Starting with a bang on July 2, this must be the encounter to follow. Latvia, as we previously said, is the favorite to win Group A for a whole bunch of reasons, but the upset may be just around the corner. If that happened, then Georgia would clearly grab that 1st position.
The two teams haven't had a lot of head-to-head clashes in the past but unofficially went after each other before heading to Asia last year. At the beginning of August 2023, the Baltic side enjoyed an 82-57 win domestically.
It's a game full of interesting matchups, including the upcoming Andronikashvili-Ochkhikidze playmaking duo going at Arturs Zagars, the record-holder for most assists (17) shared in a single FIBA Basketball World Cup game.
Moving up the scale, both team's frontcourts are spot on. On one side there's versatility with Davis Bertans, Rolands Smits, and Rodions Kurucs, covering Kristaps Porzingis' huge absence; on the other, names say it all: Toko Shengelia and NBAers Sandro Mamukelashvili and Goga Bitadze.
If that's not enough, there haven't been many occasions in which a national team head coach has faced up against one of his club's players. In this clash, however, it will indeed happen: the Virtus Bologna's bond between Luca Banchi and Toko Shengelia is at stake.
The Open Question: Can Georgia emulate football heroes?
Georgians worldwide have been repeating certain names like a mantra: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georges Mikautadze. The country's heroes at Euro 2024.
Starting from Group A in Riga, they're crossing their fingers about potentially doing the same with Tornike Shengelia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Goga Bitadze.
After beating Portugal and gaining access to a historic qualification to the Round of 16 of Euro 2024, the Georgian football team made history. In a few days, an even crazier achievement could be collected by the basketball side.
If hundreds of thousands of people have reversed on the streets of Tbilisi and other cities throughout the country, let's expect millions if Georgia will be an Olympic bond.
More?
Don't forget to check the Team Profiles for: Latvia, Georgia, and the Philippines.
FIBA