Spain’s FIBA World Cup Hopes Hang in the Balance After Shocking Loss to Latvia
The game against Iran served as a warning, but Spain chose to ignore it. The Spanish Selection now finds itself on the brink of elimination in the FIBA World Cup 2023 after a disappointing 74-69 loss to Latvia. Sergio Scariolo’s team delivered their worst performance in recent memory, lacking consistency, struggling to find their rhythm, and appearing lost on the court.
Latvia, who had previously eliminated France, caught Spain off guard. The Spanish team failed to match the necessary intensity and mentality required for the match. The game quickly turned into a battle of outside shooting, and Latvia displayed composure and made crucial decisions without hesitation. Spain, on the other hand, squandered a strong third quarter performance with a disastrous start in the final quarter, allowing Latvia to take a decisive 15-5 lead.
Davis Bertans, with 16 points on 4 of 9 field goals, and Rodions Kurucs, with 13 points and 5 of 7 from beyond the arc, were instrumental in Latvia’s unexpected victory.
Spain struggled to find a reliable scoring option, as Willy Hernangómez had a poor game, struggling defensively and failing to dominate in the post. Despite his 14 points, Hernangómez’s 6 of 11 free throw shooting proved costly. Sergio Llull also had an off day, shooting 9 baskets but only converting 5 of them, while contributing 7 assists.
The strong performances of Rudy Fernández, Darío Brizuela, and Usman Garuba in the third quarter were in vain as Spain faltered in the crucial final period.
This victory marks Latvia’s first win over Spain in 88 years, ending Spain’s 12-game winning streak against the Latvian team. Spain now faces a must-win situation against Canada to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, or they will have to rely on other results to advance.
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Spain vs. Latvia: Result and Final Score
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 16 | 16 | 26 | 11 | 69 |
| Latvia | 17 | 12 | 18 | 27 | 74 |
Spain vs. Latvia: Highlights and Key Plays
Final Quarter
Final Score: 69-74 – Spain collapsed in the final quarter, as expected, greatly jeopardizing their chances in the World Cup. Kurucs, Bertans, and Zagars played vital roles in Latvia’s surprising victory.
Score: 65-68 (2:35) – Davis Bertans delivers a crucial blow to Spain, sealing their fate.
Score: 63-63 (4:00) – The match is tied, and the tension is at its peak.
Score: 61-58 (5:45) – Latvia goes on a 3-11 run, causing significant problems for Spain, especially with Willy Hernangómez on the court.
Score: 59-52 (6:56) – Spain struggles to score, failing to find their rhythm in the half court.
Score: 58-50 (8:28) – Latvia starts the quarter with a 3-0 run, taking control of the game.
Third Quarter
End of Third Quarter: 58-47 – Spain makes a strong comeback in the second half, taking the lead after a disappointing first 20 minutes. Rudy Fernández and Darío Brizuela provide a much-needed boost for the team.
Score: 54-42 (2:00) – Latvia’s collapse is complete as Spain goes on a 24-15 run, with Rudy Fernández leading the charge.
Score: 49-42 (3:20) – Two difficult three-pointers by Brizuela and Rudy break the tie, giving Spain momentum with their small-ball lineup.
Score: 43-42 (4:41) – The game intensifies as both teams step up their defense. Alberto Díaz once again proves vital for Spain.
Score: 35-40 (7:50) – Latvia responds with another three-pointer, causing problems for Spain.
Score: 32-37 (8:50) – Latvia starts the fourth quarter strong, going on an 8-0 run. Scariolo calls a timeout to regroup.
Second Quarter
End of Second Quarter: 32-29 – Spain manages to stay ahead with 10 points from Willy Hernangómez and 7 points from Juancho. However, their offense struggles, shooting only 22% from beyond the arc and committing 9 turnovers.
Score: 27-25 (1:46) – Spain quickly responds with a 9-0 run after a timeout.
Score: 18-25 (4:00) – Spain goes over three minutes without scoring, struggling to find their rhythm.
Score: 18-23 (6:00) – Latvia gains some breathing room with Zagars leading the way. Spain opts for a small-ball lineup with limited success.
Score: 16-17 (8