Other events in Baltic States

The head coach of the Latvian national men's basketball team – Ainars Bagatskis, has announced the candidate list of those players who will be preparing for this year's European Men's Basketball Championships (EuroBasket 2011), the Latvian Basketball Association (LBA) informs.

20 players have been included on the candidate list, informs LETA.

The Latvian squad will gather for its first practice on July 20.

Included in the candidate list is ''VEF Riga'' small-forward Kristaps Janicenoks and NBA center Andris Biedrins (Golden State ''Warriors'').

''Janicenoks has said he would like to play at EuroBasket 2011, however, he has had a long season with several injuries. It is no secret that he played with an injured ankle during the Latvian league finals. Everything will be dependent on his rehabilitation,'' Bagatskis said. ''On the other hand, I met with Biedrins in April, and he was evasive at the time. Taking into account Andris' status, we must also take into account what his team and his agent says. The management of the Golden State ''Warriors'' have confirmed that they support Biedrins' participation on the national team and we are currently in discussion with the ''Warriors'' on insurance matters. During the FIBA World U-19 Men's Basketball Championships in Riga, there will be several scouts and team representatives also in attendance. The final decision will probably be made by Andris himself. Taking into account that many NBA centers will be playing at EuroBasket 2011 this year, we hope that his decision will be positive.''

Point-guard Kristaps Valters and shooting-guard Armands Skele will not play for Latvia this year, as they are still disqualified from the team for ongoing disciplinary reasons.

Furthermore, veteran shooting-guard Sandis Valters previously announced that he has retired from the national team, whilst small-forward Gatis Jahovics is still fighting ongoing injuries.

On the other hand, center Kaspars Kambala, who is seen as one of Latvia's key players but previously expressed he will probably not play for Latvia this summer, has not been included on the candidate list as well.

Several players who helped the national team during last summer's qualification tournament have also been left out.

''Shooting-guard Ingus Bankevics had a very unstable season. On the other hand, small-forward Ernests Kalve had a relatively good season in Lithuania, however, he mostly played at power-forward. The power-forwards we will be coming up against at EuroBasket will be bigger than Kalve. On the other hand, he is too slow on defense at small-forward,'' Bagatskis believes. ''Power-forward Ronalds Zakis continues medical treatment after his serious injury. It would be better for Ronalds to allow him to calmly prepare for next season and get his physical condition back.''

It is also possible that some players from Latvia's U-20 and U-19 squads will be called up to join the national team if necessary.

Bagatskis' assistant on the national team will be Roberts Stelmahers, who is currently the head coach of Lithuanian basketball club Vilnius ''Perlas'', as well as Agris Galvanovskis, who is the head coach of Latvian basketball club ''Liepajas Lauvas''.

The Latvian men's squad will play its first exhibition matches on August 2-3 in the Lithuanian city of Klaipeda against the Lithuanian student squad and Slovenia.

On August 12-13, Latvia will play two exhibition matches in Riga against Russia.

On August 20, Latvia will play an exhibition match against Lithuania in the Lithuanian city of Panevezys.

On August 22 and 24, Latvia will play two exhibition matches in Riga against Georgia.

On the other hand, Latvia will play its final exhibition match on August 27 at home against Great Britain.

As reported, this year's Eurobasket will take place in Lithuania from August 31 to September 18, and it will also be the qualification tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.

Latvia will play in Group B in Siauliai with Serbia, Germany, France, Israel and Italy in the tournament's preliminary round.

Latvia will play France on August 31, Serbia on September 1, Italy on September 2, Israel on September 4 and Germany on September 5.

The top three teams in each of the four groups will qualify for the tournament's second group stage.

The candidate list of the Latvian team preparing for EuroBasket 2011 is as follows: Janis Blums, Janis Strelnieks, Dairis Bertans, Edgars Jeromanovs, Rinalds Sirsnins, Kristaps Janicenoks, Mareks Jurevicus, Akselis Vairogs, Rihards Kuksiks, Davis Bertans, Arturs Berzins, Ivars Timermanis, Kaspars Berzins, Rolands Freimanis, Pavels Veselovs, Andris Biedrins, Andrejs Selakovs, Lauris Blaus, Raitis Grafs and Davis Rozitis.