RIGA (Latvia) – Latvia arrived at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Final Phase with a heavy heart. Their talisman, Davis Bertans, had been ruled out of the tournament due to a season-ending injury just weeks before tip-off.
Yet, in his absence, the spirit of the Lions has only grown stronger—fueled by an electric home crowd that has transformed Riga’s Arena into a fortress and a shared determination to make history in honor of their fallen leader.
"This isn’t just our fight—it’s theirs too. Every roar, every chant, every flag waving behind us… that’s what keeps us going when our legs are gone."
— Kristaps Porziņģis
Latvia kept their Round of 16 hopes alive with a dramatic 85-81 victory over Slovenia in front of a sold-out, red-and-white-clad crowd—the loudest of the tournament so far. The win improved their record to 2-2 in Group D and placed them in a must-win scenario against Croatia for a spot in the next round.
But beyond the scoreboard, one factor stood out above all: the fans.
From the first buzzer to the final seconds, the arena pulsed with energy. Chants of “Lat-vi-ja!” echoed through the rafters, drums thundered, and giant flags swayed like waves across the stands. Players repeatedly pointed to the crowd after big plays, acknowledging the sixth man that never leaves the floor.
“This atmosphere? It’s indescribable,” said guard Dairis Bertāns, who poured in 18 points against Slovenia. “We knew we couldn’t let them down. They traveled from all over—some slept in cars just to be here. That kind of loyalty? You play for that.”
Head coach Ainars Bagatskis has called the fans “the soul of this team,” especially now, as they play without Davis Bertans—the veteran forward and emotional anchor who led Latvia to its first-ever EuroBasket quarterfinals in 2022.
Bertans underwent surgery earlier in the summer and watched the Slovenia game from home, live-streaming it with tears in his eyes as his teammates fought without him.
"He’s still on the court with us. We feel him every time we dive for a loose ball or take a tough shot."
— Edgars Kulda
“It’s super hard not having Davis,” admitted Kristaps Porziņģis, the team’s cornerstone and NBA All-Star. “He’s not just a player—he’s a brother, a leader. When he goes down, something shifts in you. But we promised him we’d keep fighting. And we’re doing this for him.”
Porziņģis led the way with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and a crucial block in the final minute to seal the win over Slovenia. But he was quick to deflect praise.
“We didn’t win that game because of me. We won because of them,” he said, gesturing toward the stands. “They were louder than the pain, louder than the pressure. They carried us.”
The Latvian faithful have become a phenomenon at this tournament. Over 10,000 fans made the trip from Latvia to Riga—many camping outside the arena days in advance—turning each game into a national celebration. Social media is flooded with videos of fans singing folk songs at midnight, painting faces in the team’s colors, and organizing marches through the city.
“I’ve played in big arenas in the NBA, in playoffs, in All-Star Games,” said veteran guard Artūrs Gudaitis. “But nothing compares to hearing 12,000 of your people scream your name in your homeland. It gives you chills. It gives you fire.”
Latvia now faces Croatia in a winner-takes-all clash for a place in the knockout stage—the same stage they reached five years ago, a run that united a nation.
And the players know what’s at stake.
"We don’t just want to win. We want to take them with us—to Prague, to the podium, to history."
— Kristaps Porziņģis
“We owe this to Davis,” added Edgars Kulda. “And we owe it to these fans. They deserve more than one great night. They deserve a run. They deserve to see us go all the way.”
As the countdown begins for the Croatia showdown, one thing is certain: win or lose, the Lions will not walk onto that court alone.
They’ll have a nation behind them.
Check out the game report:
Porziņģis shines as Latvia stuns Slovenia in overtime thriller
Sep 3, 2025
Latvia still faces a steep challenge. Croatia boasts a deep roster and tournament experience. But in Riga, with the stands shaking and hearts united, the Lions believe anything is possible.
“We’re not done,” said Porziņģis, wiping sweat and emotion from his face after the Slovenia win. “Not even close. We’re playing for more than medals now. We’re playing for pride. For family. For Latvia.”
And as long as the crowd roars, the fight continues.
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