Whatever happens in the quarterfinals in Manila, Latvia will never have the wonderful adventure of Jakarta, where in a week they knocked out the Olympic runner-up (France), the number one in the world (Spain); and, finally, to Brazil (84-104), to certify their qualification for the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Latvia has been a captivating team in the first two phases. Masterfully led by Zagars (17 points), the boy who spent five years at La Penya until Porzingis’s brother, Janis, took him to Nevezis overnight, has found his alma-mater in Davis Bertans , a highly renowned shooter who has put the team on his back (his triples broke the game against the verdeamarela) and has found some exceptional squires in Grazulis, who destroyed Brazil with 24 points, or Roland Smits, the former Barcelona player who is a Stakhanovite. Masterfully led by Luca Banchi, they have also been a tough and competitive team. Rodion Kurucks has hit a wall and even an anonymous player like Zoriks has been unleashed with triples, bombs…
Brazil, for its part, could not continue Canada’s feat. They tried to hold on to the game, but Yago Santos and Caboclo did not have as many legs as two days ago. And Latvia was not mentally Canada. At each reaction from Brazil, he counterattacked the rival’s jaw with new partials until he broke the game in the third quarter. Honors to Latvia, which in its first participation in the World Cup reached the quarterfinals when nobody gave up for the Baltics, especially without Porzingis. His fans, who did believe in the feat and traveled to far away Indonesia, have given color to the first two phases in Jakarta, without Spanish, French or Brazilian fans. He has his just reward. Now he has to decide whether to go back to Riga as he was planning to jump to Manila. The adventure deserves to continue in the Philippines. In this World Cup, the heroes wear garnet.
2023-09-03 11:42:48
#heroes #maroon
