Other events in Baltic States

The head coach of the Latvian national men's basketball team Ainars Bagatskis has cut center/forward Andrejs Selakovs and young guard Haralds Karlis from the national team, informs LETA reffering to Latvian Basketball Association.

With this, 14 players remain on the roster, preparing for next month's qualification campaign for the 2015 European Men's Basketball Championships.

Last week, guard/forward Zanis Peiners left the squad due to health problems.

''As we near the qualification tournament, I have reduced the number of players fighting for a spot on the final roster, so that we can concentrate in practice and our exhibition games using our optimal roster,'' Bagatakis said. ''The decision was made due to the specific positions of the players. Kristaps Janicenoks and Janis Timma are better players at the moment than Karlis. Meanwhile, in like to see more versatile players underneath the basket, and Selakovs is not as versatile as Ronalds Zakis or Andrejs Grazulis.''

Karlis, who plays for Seton Hall University in the United States, made his debut for the national team this summer, and scored 17 points in four exhibition matches. Meanwhile, Selakovs has played on the national team since 2010, and has played in two European Championships.

It is likely that 13 players will play in Saturday's exhibition game against Lithuania, as Kaspars Berzins is only expected to join up with the national team at the beginning of next week.

The qualification tournament itself will take place from August 10 to 27. Latvia is in the same qualification group as Sweden, Romania and Slovakia. The winners of the seven qualification groups, as well as the six best second-placed teams will earn qualification for EuroBasket 2015.

The roster of the Latvian national team preparing for next month's qualification matches are as follows: Janis Strelnieks, Janis Blums, Dairis Bertans, Aigars Skele, Ingus Jakovics, Kristaps Janicenoks, Janis Timma, Mareks Mejeris, Rolands Freimanis, Kaspars Berzins, Andrejs Grazulis, Martins Meiers, Ronalds Zakis and Ronalds Smits.