Berrouet's Masterclass Lifts Latvia Over Spain
Benjamin Berrouet delivered a commanding performance, steering Latvia to a hard-fought 92-87 victory over Spain at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket.
The contest in Oradea Arena saw both sides locked at 46-46 by halftime, with Latvia edging ahead by two points entering the final period (72-74).
Despite Spain holding a slim four-point lead after the initial exchanges (22-18), Latvia found their rhythm, shooting an efficient 56% from the field and a blistering 48% from three-point range. Their 20 assists highlighted superior ball movement, contrasting with Spain's 14 turnovers. While Spain’s bench provided a substantial scoring boost with 39 points, it wasn't enough to overcome the impact of Benjamin Berrouet, who recorded a double-double with 26 points and 15 rebounds, and the contributions from reserve Markuss Aleksandrovs, who chipped in 15 points. Rhys Robinson led Spain with 16 points, but Latvia's defence, despite only three blocks, proved decisive.
This win serves as a significant statement for Latvia in the European tournament, showcasing their resilience and offensive capability against a determined Spanish squad.