Latvia's 3x3 young guns backed to support superstar duo in Olympic gold medal defense

RIGA (Latvia) - A refreshed Latvia have backed young talent to complement superstars Nauris Miezis and Karlis Lasmanis in their gold medal defense at the Paris Olympics. 

Let's take a closer look at the first-ever men's 3x3 gold medalist. 

LATVIA

Ranking: 10th

Previous Olympic Appearances: 2021 (Gold)

Squad: Karlis Lasmanis, Nauris Miezis, Francis Lancis, Zigmars Raimo

Players to watch: Karlis Lasmanis/Nauris Miezis

We have to cheat and include both these Latvian legends because they are an inseparable duo. 'Batman' and 'Robin' are 3x3 superheroes, who combined to lift Latvia to the first-ever men's gold medal in Tokyo.  

While everyone else dreams of Olympic glory, Lasmanis and Miezis already have tasted the summit of sports. 

They are best when playing together because they can take turns wearing the cape.

Both are fearless in the clutch. Lasmanis hit the biggest shot in 3x3 history when he won the Olympic gold medal with a huge two, while Miezis - arguably the most clutch player to step on a half-court - did something similar to ensure Latvia qualified for Paris. 

Such is the respect for Miezis that he has been selected to be the flag-bearer for Latvia at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. 

They may already have gold medals, cemented as national heroes, but this deadly duo are still hungry. The partners-in-crime will be out to prove they remain the GOAT tandem and if they simultaneously fire then Latvia might go back-to-back. 

Qualification: Quite fittingly, the Olympic champs will be defending their gold medal in Paris.

And if you've followed Latvia - one of 3x3's powerhouses - over the years then you knew it would be filled with drama and insane finishes. Latvia did not have Lasmanis at the FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1, but sidekick Miezis put on the cape. 

Miezis stepped up big time against the Netherlands in the semis and hit the clutch 2-piece in OT to send Latvia into the final.

Latvia were on a roll and unstoppable against Austria in the final, with young guns Francis Lacis and Zigmars Raimo proving they are their country's New Gen.

Expectations: Latvia decided they needed to freshen up the team with gold medalists Edgars Krumins and Agnis Cavars making way for young guns Lancis and Raimo. 

It was a bold move considering Latvia have for so long relied on the chemistry of the four players who took them to gold in Tokyo. But the youthful exuberance of Lancis, an athletic marvel, and the towering Raimo rejuvenated Latvia in Hong Kong in a masterstroke. 

They will need to develop chemistry alongside the almost perfect pairing of Miezis and Lasmanis, but it looks like a nice blend of youth and experience. 

Three years after the Baltic country's famous sporting feat, Latvia will be hoping to once again make dreams come true. 

FIBA