Beat Brazil 104-84, Latvia Advances To Top 8 FIBA World Cup 2023

The Latvian basketball national team that competed in the FIBA World Cup 2023 at the Indonesia Arena, Jakarta. (FIBA)

JAKARTA The Latvian Basketball national team managed to lock up one ticket to the last eight of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Group L. This certainty was obtained after Latvia beat Brazil's Basketball Team 104-84 at the Indonesia Arena, Sunday (3/9).

Andrejs Grazulis became the star of Latvia' victory over Brazil after contributing 24 points and becoming the highest scorer. Despite winning, Latvia's struggle to beat Brazil was not easy. In the early quarter, the two teams chased each other. However, Latvia, which is more effective in attack, was able to lead up to 13-7.

Brazil, who did not want to be eliminated, began to rise and cut the gap to 12-13 entering the final minutes of the first quarter. Bruno Coboclo's last four seconds even put Brazil ahead of 20-19. However, Arturs Kurucs' three-point shot left Latvia closing the first quarter with a 22-20 lead.

Entering the second quarter, the point by point contribution from Andrejs Grazulis made Latvia further away with a score of 32-22. Brazil, which is trying to improve their defense, is able to escape the pressure of opponents.

Lucas Dias was able to bring Brazil to equalize the score 40-40 with a three-point shot. However, Latvia responded with Davids Bertans' three-point shot and closed the second quarter with a 45-42 advantage.

In the third quarter, Latvia again moved away with a score of 57-49. Brazil cut the gap to 57-60 before a three-point shot from Davis Berans and Kristers Zoriks kept Latvian lead, 67-57.

Winning five balls, Latvians coached by Luca Banchi played more confident. Point by point they easily collected up to 73-59, and closed the third quarter with a score of 81-63.

The match in the fourth quarter was no different. Latvia was increasingly unstoppable and far ahead 93-72, before finally closing the match with a 104-84 win over Brazil and at the same time leading them to the last eight of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.