Latvia candidates reduced to 18 prior to French trip
RIGA (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) – As Latvia are about to face France in their first warm-up games of the summer, head coach Ainars Bagatskis has informed that his preliminary list
RIGA (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) – As Latvia are gearing up for their first warm-up games against France, head coach Ainars Bagatskis has informed that his preliminary list of candidates for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament [OQT] in Belgrade has been reduced by two players.
| Latvia 18-player preliminary squad for OQT in Belgrade |
|||
| Dairis Bertans | Janis Berzins | Kaspars Berzins | Janis Blums |
| Rolands Freimanis | Ingus Jakovics | Martins Laksa | Davis Lejasmeiers |
| Martins Meiers | Mareks Mejeris | Anzejs Pasecniks | Zanis Peiners |
| Ojars Silins | Aigars Skele | Rolands Smits | Janis Strelnieks |
| Janis Timma | Kaspars Vecvagars | ||
Laboral Kutxa Baskonia forward Davis Bertans who recently returned to action from the second ACL injury in his career, has been advised that he will need a couple of weeks rest following his team's last game of the season, last Friday.
Since the versatile sharp-shooter would consequently have to join the Latvian training camp with practically only a week remaining to the Belgrade OQT, he has been ruled out for that tournament but could become available for Rio, should Latvia achieve qualification to the 2016 Olympic Games. Likewise, 21-year-old shooting guard Kristaps Gluditis has also had to pull out of the team.
The motivation among the group is high, the players did not spare effort and that is a key thing. Qualifying to the Olympics is a new challenge for us, so everyone is exceptionally motivated - Ainars Bagatskis
Latvia will play against France in a scrimmage game behind closed doors on Wednesday and the two sides will then face off on Thursday night in Pau in what will be their first public friendly game of the summer.
Point guard Janis Strelnieks, who was crowned German champion with Brose Baskets Bamberg just on Sunday as well as Ojars Silins, who is still involved in the Italian Serie A finals with Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia, will join preparations after the team returns from France. The same applies to Zanis Peiners who is battling a dental infection and forward Janis Timma.
Latvijas izlase uzsāk gatavošanos Olimpisko spēļu kvalifikācijai. https://t.co/YeOAVF7Ywl pic.twitter.com/8Cvzxri01j
— Basket.lv (@basketbols) 6 June 2016
Notwithstanding the fact he still does not have all 18 players at his disposal, Bagatskis was very satisfied from what he saw in the first training sessions in Riga, before his team boarded the plane to France.
"As expected, the players' form and mood was affected by their club season, which was successful for some and unsatisfying for others, so each player arrived in a different physical and psychological condition," Bagatskis explained. "We tried to freshen up the emotions, and the latest practices show that everything is moving in the right direction."
"We focused on basketball only during the last two practices, refreshing a bit our memory of tactical sets and of our basic principles of team work. The motivation among the group is high, the players did not spare effort and that is a key thing. Qualifying to the Olympics is a new challenge for us, so everyone is exceptionally motivated."
After their return home, Latvia will go up against Tunisia, New Zealand and Iran in the warm-up games that will conclude their preparations for the OQT. In Belgrade, Latvia will square off against Japan and the Czechs in Group B of the OQT. If they advance, they will go up in a semi-final against Serbia, Angola or Puerto Rico. The Semi-Final winners will meet in the game which decides which team gets the coveted ticket to Rio.
FIBA