Spain's national basketball team suffered a significant defeat against Latvia, with the final score standing at 83-66 during the Eurobasket qualifying match held on February 20, 2025, at the Riga Arena. This loss, albeit heavy, is largely inconsequential since Spain had already secured its spot for the upcoming Eurobasket.
Under the guidance of coach Sergio Scariolo, Spain entered the game with the aim to test younger players, knowing full well they did not need to secure additional points for qualification. Yet, the result would surely sting, especially considering how they were outperformed by the Latvians, who displayed impressive shooting and physicality, particularly through Rodions Kurucs, who led all scorers with 28 points.
Despite the team's overall poor performance, there were bright spots among the younger generation. Santi Yusta stood out for Spain, contributing 15 points, including several early triples which sparked initial hope for the visitors. Scariolo’s decision to showcase new talents like Hugo González and Guillem Ferrando paid off with the valuable experience they gained, even as the game slipped away.
The first quarter began with both teams exchanging three-point shots, with Spain briefly taking the lead at 12-5 thanks to Yusta's sharpshooting. Despite this strong start, it was Latvia who found their rhythm, responding fiercely with aggressive defense and effective shooting from deep. By the end of the first quarter, they had already surpassed Spain, leading 20-17.
The second quarter saw Latvia ramp up their defense even more, allowing them to expand their lead by leveraging both their physicality and speed. They finished the first half with a slight margin of 41-34. The paint dominance, paired with outstanding shooting from long range, proved detrimental for Spain, who struggled with ball handling—committing 20 turnovers throughout the game.
After the break, Latvia continued to assert their dominance, quickly capitalizing on España's mistakes, taking the lead to 47-34 early on. A concerted effort from the Spanish squad to mount a comeback was continuously thwarted by Latvia’s ability to score three-pointers. Even when Spain managed to close the gap somewhat, it often appeared they could never quite cross the psychological barrier of ten points consistently.
Scariolo had opted for rotation throughout the game, introducing players more familiar with international competition, but the strategy fell flat against the relentless Latvians. Latvia ended the third quarter leading by 13 points, with no signs of letting up.
The final quarter showcased Latvia’s complete control of the match as they pushed their advantage to as much as 23 points at one juncture. Spain continued to battle but found themselves unable to slow down Latvia’s torrential scoring, especially from behind the arc—the Latvians shot over 51% from three-point range, landing 14 of 27 attempts. Comparatively, Spain managed only 23%, making just 4 of 17 attempts from long distance.
Spain’s loss seemed more about tough lessons than competition, as Scariolo pointed out the need for improved defense on the perimeter and sharper decision-making going forward. He remarked, "The physicality and defense of the Latvians were decisive," highlighting where his team fell short. Spain's bench could provide the foundation for the future, but immediate adjustments are necessary before their upcoming match against Belgium.
The next meeting, on February 22, is just as important for Spain to regain momentum and confidence, aiming for victory to close out their Eurobasket qualifying window positively. The experience and growth under pressure, especially among the young players, could serve Spain well as they head to defend their title at the Eurobasket this summer.
While Spain may leave Riga with their heads down after this defeat, the focus shifts quickly to improvement and preparation. The time for rebuilding and learning is now, and each match serves as both challenge and opportunity for the nation's promising basketball future.