OR Lithuania He prevailed with Latvia 88-79 in the Baltic derby for his “16” phase Eurobasket And he got the “ticket” for the quarter -finals, where he will face the winner of Greece – Israel.
With Veltska coming from … nowhere, after Yokubaiti’s injury and becoming a MVP of the match, Lithuania managed to “bend” the shocking porzingis and “fly” out of Eurobasket Latvia, celebrating a great qualification.
There, the Lithuanians will be called upon … if Greece’s national basketball is doing its duty against Israel and in turn secure a place in the 8th of the tournament.
The game
Lithuania began dramatically the game with Latvia in the Eurobasket ’16’ phase, with Velitska in the best possible way the gap of the injured yokubaitis and his team being unstoppable in attack, finding points in all ways. L. But the NBA champion with the Boston Celtics was quite… alone and the Lithuanians led 28-18 at 10 ′.
The Lithuanian Bald Mamba out there torching Latvia.#Eurobasket | #MakeYourMark pic.twitter.com/xsNVVzROLi
– FIBA EuroBasket (@Eurobasket) September 6, 2025
In the second quarter, Latvia immediately reacted, finding solutions from Lomaz and Smits, so even being found in the basket, away from Lithuania. The podium in Riga got fire, but a blackout at the end of the first half, allowed the Lithuanians to run a 9-0 series and escape again. With 5 consecutive points by Sirvidis, Lithuania led 47-37 at 20 ′.
After the respite, Latvia started with a quick 4-0, but its counterattack was no continuity. Lithuania “responded” quickly and then the two teams … broke on both rackets. The scoring in the third period remained low until the two teams from the … charity line found points. The race data, however, did not change until 30 ′, with Lithuania maintaining the lead with 66-54.
The Lithuanians thus entered the last and decisive period of the fight with a significant lead and continued at the same pace, as Latvia had only Porzingis to “fight” for the overthrow. The Latvian Nbaer was quickly charged with a fourth foul and had to cross the bench to find Lithuania at +15 in his absence.
Porzingis is doing everything he can to keep Latvia in this game!#Eurobasket pic.twitter.com/Fj0fUqTI0g
– FIBA EuroBasket (@Eurobasket) September 6, 2025
His return to the parquet and a crucial three -pointer of Bertans was a little bit lacking to bring the Latvians to claim the fight, but the Lithuanians again had a “answer”, with Velitska making a double double in points and assists and giving his team to his team. The final 88-79 even shows the image of the race in its longer duration, with Lithuania celebrating a highly qualification in the Eurobasket quarter-finals.
The quarters: 28-18, 47-37, 66-54, 88-79
Players’ statistics
Lithuania (Curtinitis): Blazevic 9 (3/7 two -pointers, 3/4 shots, 5 rebounds), Normantas 2, Veltska 21 (2/5 two -pointers, 3/5 three -pointers, 8/12 shots, 5 rebounds, 12 assists, 6 errors) 1/3 three -pointers, 3/4 shots, 12 rebounds, 2 assists), Valantsiou 9 (4/5 two -pointers, 1/3 shots), Gentraitis, Sartzunas 3 (3/4 shots), Sirvidis 18 (5/6 two -pointers, 1/5 three -pointers, 5/7 shots)
Latvia (Banky): Megeris 1, Porzingis 34 (6/14 two -pointers, 4/8 three -pointers, 10/15 shots, 19 rebounds, 2 blocks), Davis Bertans 3 (1 three -pointers, 8 rebounds), Dairis Bertans, Smits 8 (4/5) three -pointers, 7 assists), Kuruts 3 (1), Zaggers 6 (3/7 two -pointers, 0/5 three -pointers, 5 assists), Zoricks 3 (1)