The Latvian basketball team is gearing up for two crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Poland on February 27 and March 1. After lackluster performances in previous games, coach Sito Alonso has decided to implement some changes in the team's defense to enhance their gameplay. Alonso's assistant, Artūrs Visockis-Rubenis, mentioned that focusing on precision and quality in their approach is key for this qualifying cycle, hinting at a strategic shift to bolster the team's performance.

Visockis-Rubenis elaborated on Alonso's defensive strategy, which pushes players into the game but requires time for adaptation. He believes that Alonso's past success with this defensive style could translate into better outcomes for the national team as they face Poland. The assistant coach emphasized the importance of mastering this mechanism, as effective defense can significantly influence the game's outcome, which the team hopes to showcase against the Polish squad.

Furthermore, forward Artūrs Strautiņš expressed the importance of making their presence felt as the home team during the match against Poland. He emphasized the need for the opposing team to feel the strength of the home court, indicating that an aggressive and confident approach is critical. For Strautiņš, this match also marks a personal comeback after recovering from a severe knee injury, adding another layer of motivation for both him and the team as they strive for success against Poland.