Latvia takes eighth in women’s basketball

Latvia finished eighth overall in the under 21 women’s basketball championship, which concluded Aug. 3 in Sibenik, Croatia. A total of 12 teams, including China, Russia and the United States, competed in the tournament.

Latvia, led by top scorer Anete Jēkabsone, surprised other teams in early games, rising to the top of Group B with five straight victories and earning a spot in the quarterfinals. But then, according to media reports and official International Basketball Federation results, the Latvian team stumbled.

In decisive games, the Latvians lost 45-55 to hometown favorites Croatia, 60-68 to Russia and, in the match that finished it, 77-85 to China.

The championship was won by the United States in 71-55 victory over Brazil.

The Latvian team nonetheless left its impression on the tournament.

Jēkabsone, a 19-year-old guard, finished as the top scorer overall, according to basketball federation statistics. She averaged 24.25 points per game, earning a total of 194 points in her team’s eight games.

Teammate Ieva Kubliņa finished sixth overall, averaging 15 points per game for a total of 120 in eight games.

Jēkabsone and Kubliņa also ranked in the top 10 in free throws.

Andris Straumanis is a special correspondent for and a co-founder of Latvians Online. From 2000–2012 he was editor of the website.

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