Latvia national team

[rikhardur]

Latvia Appoint Kemzura As New Coach


Latvia have made a major decision before the Christmas holiday by appointing Kestutis Kemzura as the new coach of the men's national team.

Kemzura, who recently parted ways with BC Khimki Moscow Region, takes the reins from Nenad Trajkovic - the Serbian coach who steered the team to a second-place finish in their qualifying group earlier this year to reach the Final Round.

Former Lithuania coach Jonas Kazlauskas, the CSKA Moscow women's Latvian boss Gundars Vetra and Serbian Trajkovic were the other coaches the Latvian Basketball Federation spoke to before agreeing terms with Kemzura.

It is understood that Kazlauskas was more interested in returning to club coaching. He coached China this summer at the Olympics.

On the national team scene, Kemzura worked as an assistant coach with Lithuania - most recently at the 2006 FIBA World Championship under Antanas Sireika.

"I got an offer to work in Team Lithuania (after leaving Khimki), however the opportunity to work in Latvia in the head coach position seemed more interesting for me," Kemzura said on Friday.

"It offers a greater challenge.

"Team Lithuania already has great coaches, it`s in good condition. Now I will talk with the people I'd like to work with in the national team."

First up for Latvia in Group B next year in Poland will be a game against EuroBasket 2007 champions Russia, the team coached by Kemzura's good friend and former colleague at Benetton Treviso, David Blatt.

Kemzura was Blatt's assistant when he took over at Benetton.

Germany and the team that wins the Additional Qualifying Round will also be in Group B.

"Russia, it will be the second time to play against David Blatt`s side," said Kemzura, whose Khimki outfit took on Dynamo Moscow recently in the Russian Superleague and lost.

"I see it as a good opportunity for (revenge), however, we will always remain friends off the court."

Blatt actually invited Kemzura to work with Russia's national side, but since Kemzura had said no to Lithuania during the summer about an opportunity with them he did not think it was appropriate.

The new sports director with the Latvian Basketball Federation is Edgars Sneps, a former national team player. He was at the center of the talks with Kemzura and Kazlauskas and met with both in Lithuania nine days ago.

Another former Latvia player, Roberts Stelmahers, has been mentioned as a possible assistant for Kemzura.

Stelmahers played for the Baltic country on numerous occasions, including at EuroBasket 2005.

If Latvia qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, Kemzura will definitely remain in charge.

http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_2lb01...frontpage.html


Actually what happened with Trajković, was he sacked, did he quit,...?

[Get Rich Or Die Playin]

Trajkovic's contract just wasn't extended. Although he filled the goal to make European Championship, fans, board members and even players didn't like his style and working methods. Players criticised that he's too much focusing on Biedriņš, he forgot to involve other players in offense. After qualification tournament he recieved huge pressure from fans and media, they questioned his level, even his CV that it may be false... He wasn't the best choice and LBS redeemed error by making change of head coach.

[Mindozas]

K.Kambala said that will play for sure in Latvia NT this summer in EC2009, so with him and Biedrins latvians front-court will be great

[Greed]

Hey, Latvian bros. What do you think(our expect) about/from Kemzura? What are your opinions about all this "new coach" thing? Are you happy, that Kemzura is going to coach your NT team? Maybe you would prefer someone else?

It would be nice, if you share your thoughts. Cheers!

[Straight forward]

Originally Posted by Greed

Hey, Latvian bros. What do you think(our expect) about/from Kemzura? What are your opinions about all this "new coach" thing? Are you happy, that Kemzura is going to coach your NT team? Maybe you would prefer someone else?

There's no many Latvians around and those who are seems not to care much about NT, I guess I think, Kemzūra is great sign for Latvia NT, I would be happy to see Kestutis in Lithuanian NT head coach position (I'm not against Butautas, but to be honest he underachieved both in Eurobasket 2007 and specially in Olympics 2008). Kemzūra is known as great specialist and seems to be still very progressive.

With such players like Biendins, Kambala, Škele, Blums, Latvia might be very dangerous this summer. I think Latvia was lacking tactical discipline in last few years, it was something like a team which just runs and guns. Kemzūra might be very useful at this point.

More over, I think Lithuania is waiting for revenge after this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9CCrHZsmcw great game, so it will be very interesting preparation games

[Get Rich Or Die Playin]

Originally Posted by Greed

Hey, Latvian bros. What do you think(our expect) about/from Kemzura? What are your opinions about all this "new coach" thing? Are you happy, that Kemzura is going to coach your NT team? Maybe you would prefer someone else?

It would be nice, if you share your thoughts. Cheers!

Well, I gotta say that a lot of people (including me) are excited that Kemzura will coach our NT. He was candidate already back in 2008, but then NT board appointed Trajkovic. There was big saga about Trajkovic and his qualities (players questioned his knowledge and approach, because he's strong as individual coach, but not so good as head coach) and that was mistake to hire Trajovic, except that he made goal and qualified for European Championship.

Anyway, talking about Kemzura, personally I think that he's perfect fit. Players needed coach that is well respected and has worked in high level, because in previous years there was problems with few players' attitude. Kemzura also isn't foreign and unfamiliar with our style, players and whole mentality, so he can really be good for us.

[Mindozas]

Originally Posted by Get Rich Or Die Playin

Well, I gotta say that a lot of people (including me) are excited that Kemzura will coach our NT. He was candidate already back in 2008, but then NT board appointed Trajkovic. There was big saga about Trajkovic and his qualities (players questioned his knowledge and approach, because he's strong as individual coach, but not so good as head coach) and that was mistake to hire Trajovic, except that he made goal and qualified for European Championship.

Anyway, talking about Kemzura, personally I think that he's perfect fit. Players needed coach that is well respected and has worked in high level, because in previous years there was problems with few players' attitude. Kemzura also isn't foreign and unfamiliar with our style, players and whole mentality, so he can really be good for us.

Kemzura's strongest side as a coach is tactics, he can prepare team very well for a one or another game, still IMO he needs to improve his in-game skills as a coach, but that comes with time. He already improved a lot as a coach with Khimki and IMO for Latvia's NT he is excellent signing. IMO next step for him could be our NT

[re5pectas]

Latest Kemzura's interview:


-What was the main reasons of Lietuvos Rytas winning in final?
-Some players were found, who played well in cruitial moments.If Zavackas was missing all the tournament, he made "his" shots in the final.Babrauskas wasn't shaking.Eidson and Petravicius, as always, played wonderful. Jomantas made a cruitial block and takeover of the game. All made a big impact.

-There were 3 out of 8 teams you was coaching. Probably you met a lot of friends.
-Of course. It was spectacular show, many bbl related people, this is why I was there. I couldn't meet everyone, "Benneton" left home early, but still all those three teams were in the final 8.

-How are you doing on a new position?
-Now, as I say, is a creation phase. I wach the games, the players, creating ideas. I want to find that, what will be best to the team. I watched Bilbao games, with one of candidate Janis Blums. At this phase there is no active decidions.

-Did you planed a preparing phase?
-Preparing is planned, tournaments planned. All basic things are planned, just some small things are left.

-We heared that in Latvia, decidion of taking you as a headcoach was met very enthusiastically and associated high hopes.
-God help. It is a pleasure to me. I'll try my best, I'll help as much as I can, how it will work, we'll see.

-Wouldn't your hurt start to shake if you will face Lithuanian team?
-Until, that is still very far away. First we need to solve our own problems, and then we'll see, how it will be with my heart.




*** I skipped a part of analysing final 8. Translation was brief, might be with mistakes, but the main ideas are posted

[CroatianSensation]

stop talking about the men team
the women team is much more interesting
ever seen the u-18 and u-20 national team?!
they are just unhuman!!!
kristine vitola 1,97m!!!
GOOOO LATVIA!!!!

[rikhardur]

Preliminary list for Eurobasket:

Kristaps Valters
Jānis Blūms
Sandis Valters
Armands Šķēle
Aigars Vītols
Kristaps Janičenoks
Uvis Helmanis
Kaspars Bērziņš
Andris Biedriņš
Kaspars Kambala

Edgars Jeromanovs
Raimonds Gabrāns
Mareks Jurevičus
Ingus Bankevics
Ernests Kalve
Gatis Jahovičs
Artūrs Štālbergs
Rihards Kuksiks
Jurijs Aleksejevs
Artūrs Bērziņš
Rolands Freimanis
Ronalds Zaķis
Pāvels Veselovs
Raitis Grafs

Jānis Strēlnieks
Dairis Bertāns

[basketfann]

Kristaps Valters (FUENLABRADA SPA)
Jānis Blūms (BILBAO BASKET SPA)
Sandis Valters (AGET IMOLA ITA2)
Armands Šķēle (BARONS/LMT LAT)
Aigars Vītols (ASK RIGA LAT)
Kristaps Janičenoks (UMANA REYER ITA2)
Uvis Helmanis (ASK RIGA LAT)
Kaspars Bērziņš (BARONS/LMT LAT)
Andris Biedriņš(Warriors USA)
Kaspars Kambala(Enisey RUS)

Edgars Jeromanovs(VEF LAT)
Raimonds Gabrāns(Egaleo GRE)
Mareks Jurevičus(Ventspils LAT)
Ingus Bankevics(Valmiera LAT)
Ernests Kalve(ASK LAT)
Gatis Jahovičs(VEF LAT)
Artūrs Štālbergs(Lauvas LAT)
Rihards Kuksiks(Arizona USA(NCAA) )
Jurijs Aleksejevs(VEF LAT)
Artūrs Bērziņš(Ventspils LAT)
Rolands Freimanis(VEF LAT)
Ronalds Zaķis(Ventspils LAT)
Pāvels Veselovs(Ventspils LAT)
Raitis Grafs(ASK RIGA LAT)

Jānis Strēlnieks(Ventspils LAT)
Dairis Bertāns(Ventspils LAT)



Good team this year.

[rikhardur]

Originally Posted by basketfann

Good team this year.

Definitely. Kambala's comeback to the NT is more than deserved.

[Gytaz]

What is Kambala's shape? Is he still as good as he used to be before his break from basketball?

[Mindozas]

Originally Posted by Gytaz

What is Kambala's shape? Is he still as good as he used to be before his break from basketball?

I saw him a bit in a game against CSKA few months ago and he looked good, he scored near 20pts in about 20min, but it's hard to make a full view from one game and which was lost by huge margin. However, his stats in superleague were good: ~15pts/6rebs in ~25min

[rikhardur]

Originally Posted by Mindozas

I saw him a bit in a game against CSKA few months ago and he looked good, he scored near 20pts in about 20min, but it's hard to make a full view from one game and which was lost by huge margin. However, his stats in superleague were good: ~15pts/6rebs in ~25min

He also had scored 42 points + 13 rebounds this season

[Picek]

Originally Posted by Gytaz

What is Kambala's shape? Is he still as good as he used to be before his break from basketball?

even better, Klicko bro's would have serious problem against him..
in any sport they pick

[Picek]

Latvia - Sweden 89:67

Latvian National team began test games as the part of preparations for the upcoming EuroBasket. They faced Sweden at the Arena Riga yesterday. Latvia showed excellent form rallying to a comfortable 22-point victory. Sandis Valters (193-G/F-78, agency: Arik Krayn Services) knocked down 16 points to lead the hosts.
The teams kept it close in the opening minutes before Sandis Valters helped Latvia to a 10:5 run as they earned a 28:20 advantage at the first break. Sweden got within one in the second period but Latvia reacted with a 7:0 run to take a 40:32 lead. Latvia arrived at halftime leading by 6 points 45:39. The home team opened the second half with twelve unanswered points to clear off. Soon the margin grew at 20 points as Latvia took over completely. Sweden woke up just late in the frame cutting the deficit to 14 points with ten minutes remaining. But Latvia did not allow the visitors to spark any sort of intrigue rolling to a comfortable win at the end.
Andris Biedrins (213-C-86) had 11 points, while Kaspars Kambala (206-C-78, college: UNLV) added 11 points and 11 boards for Latvia. Ernests Kalve (200-F-87) and Kristaps Valters (188-G-81) notched 10 points each for the winners. Jonathan Skoldebrand (203-C/F-83) responded with 14 points. Mats Levin (188-G-77) knocked down 11 points in defeat.

Latvia: Sandis Valters 16, Kaspars Kambala 11+11 boards, Andris Biedrins 11
Sweden: Jonathan Skoldebrand 14, Mats Levin 11

nice comeback by Kambala.. I really like this team.. ever since they beat us in Spain.. I guess no one is talking about them as a possible contender but I really think they are capable of beating almost any team on the EC..
hopefully lack of concentration won't kill them like it did in Spain..
maybe only Spain is out of their league until they meet in the final where spaniards would probably crack (they will crack no matter who they are playing )..
I expect them to be first or second in their preliminary round group and expect them to put up a huge a fight for one of the places for WC..

[rusher]

They played another game vs Sweden and won again. This time though they played 5X10 and without spectators.


Latvia – Sweden 92:69 (21:14, 20:16, 23:7, 8:17, 21:15)
Latvija: Kambala 14, Bērziņš 11, S. Valters 11, Blūms 10, Freimanis 9, Štālbergs 8, K. Valters 7, Biedriņš 6, Vītols 6, Helmanis 5, Šķēle 3, Kalve 2, Jeromanovs, Aleksejevs.

[Picek]

Lithuania - Latvia 66:66 (17:15, 21:17, 10:13, 18:21).


Lietuva: L.Kleiza 25, K.Lavrinovičius 11, T.Delininkaitis 10, M.Petravičius 7, R.Javtokas 6, J.Mačiulis 4, A.Jomantas 2, S.Jasaitis 1.

Latvija: K.Valteris 15, A.Biedrinis 12, A.Škelė ir K.Kambala - po 11.

If I understood correctly Kleiza hit a three in dying seconds to tie the game?

[Panco]

Originally Posted by Picek

Lithuania - Latvia 66:66 (17:15, 21:17, 10:13, 18:21).


Lietuva: L.Kleiza 25, K.Lavrinovičius 11, T.Delininkaitis 10, M.Petravičius 7, R.Javtokas 6, J.Mačiulis 4, A.Jomantas 2, S.Jasaitis 1.

Latvija: K.Valteris 15, A.Biedrinis 12, A.Škelė ir K.Kambala - po 11.

If I understood correctly Kleiza hit a three in dying seconds to tie the game?

The game is not over yet.

Latvia was ahead by 3 with ~15 seconds left. Jasaitis made the 1st free-throw but missed the second. Kleiza got an offensive rebound and made a layup. Latvia still had ~10 seconds but lost the ball.

Final score after an OT - LTU 77:75 LAT

It was a great game, though. Really entertaining.