The Latvian national men’s basketball team lost to Serbia in the European Championship game on Saturday in Rīga, 80:84 in a tense and unyielding battle.

The fans who filled the arena gave the Latvian team rousing support, and the Serbs – widely tipped as tournament favourites – could not be sure of victory until the final seconds of the match. 

Before the last two games in the group, the Latvian national team has just one win in three games, but still has good chances of a place in the round of 16 provided it can add to the ‘Win’ column in the remaining matches against Portugal on September 1st and against the Czech Republic on September 3. The four best teams in the group of six will advance to the round of 16, which will be held in Rīga – and the thought of the knock-out stages taking place minus the hosts is not one to be relished.

The champions will be decided on September 14th.

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