Other events in Baltic States

Yesterday evening, last year's Latvian Women's Basketball League (LWBL) champions "Cesis" lost to Riga basketball club "TTT Riga" 53:77 in the third game of the LWBL finals, with "TTT Riga" going ahead 2-1 in the best-of-five series, informs LETA.

"Cesis" head coach Ainars Zvirgzdins left the team after Sunday's defeat, as well as physical conditioning coach Maris Bruziks and the key "Cesis" player, forward Kristen Mann.

"Cesis" President Krisjanis Klavins confirmed to LETA that Zvirgzdins had been fired, but insisted that Mann would have to continue playing, or else it would be a fundamental breach of contract.

On April 10, Klavins said that Zvirgzdins had a meeting with "TTT Riga" management, most probably to discuss an offer to become the "TTT Riga" head coach. Zvirgzdins denied the allegation.

Klavins said that Zvirgzdins would be fired if "Cesis" lost just one more game.

Speaking to reporters after yesterday's match, Zvirgzdins thanked the team for playing as hard as they could. He also said that he had last met representatives from "TTT Riga" in 2001.

"After the game, I wished the girls every success. We have had a successful season," said Zvirgzdins, adding that "Cesis" had defeated several favorites on more than one occasion this season, and the defeat on Sunday was just the seventh defeat for the club this season. "It is very sad that we have such a situation during the finals," he said.

Mann said that she would no longer play for "Cesis" in protest against Klavins' decision to sack Zvirgzdins.

Mann said that she trusted Zvirgzdins completely, and called Klavins' decision, to fire the coach at a time "Cesis" was 1-2 down in the final series, ridiculous.

Zvirgzdins said that he would not watch the next game in the LWBL final series, and would have to look for a new job. Zvirgzdins said he was prepared to take any job, be it men's or women's basketball.

Klavins said that a new coach had been already found for "Cesis", but did not reveal the coach's name.

The fourth game in the LWBL final series will be played in Cesis on Tuesday.