Former basketball star Helmanis shared his insights following the Latvian national team's recent match against Poland, highlighting that despite the loss, the team displayed commendable effort throughout. He believes that the team played well overall and that there is no shame in losing to Poland, a team that has fared better in recent competitions, including the last European Championship based on their ranking. Helmanis stressed the significance of having the right lineup as a key factor going forward in the tournament and acknowledged the psychological impact of narrowly losing the first match against Poland in the last seconds.

Helmanis also dismissed calls for changing the team's coaching staff, asserting that the resilience and attitude of the Latvian players will be crucial in determining the outcomes of the remaining matches in the qualification cycle. He pointed out that playing two matches against the same opponent in quick succession can be challenging and reflects on the recent home game, noting that the team was leading at one point. Despite the disappointing end result, he pointed out the character shown by the team in fighting back during the final minutes of the game.

Overall, Helmanis's message encourages unity and support among team members in the face of adversity, urging fans and players alike to remain positive. This perspective comes at a critical time when the team needs morale boost and collective effort to improve in their upcoming games.