WATCH LIVE | Estonia's women's team concludes the European Championship qualifying series against Latvia
Estonia's women's basketball team is set to conclude their European Championship qualifying campaign against Latvia, with their performance so far being less than favorable as they've lost all five previous games.
Today's match, starting at 18:50, will be broadcasted live on ETV2 and the ERR sports portal, featuring the final game in Group B of the European Championship qualifiers against Latvia. Despite Estonia's team losing all five matches played, Latvia has secured a place in the next stage with four wins and only one loss. Previously, Latvia decisively defeated Estonia 89-47 in Riga, where Estonian players struggled, making only one in every four shots they attempted.
This match holds particular significance as it will be the swan song for Maaja Bratka, a key player for Estonia, who has announced that she will retire from international play following this game. Bratka expressed the difficulty of balancing her physical condition with the demands of the sport, stating that the recent schedule has been too taxing in the context of competing at this level. Her retirement signifies the end of an era for the Estonian women's basketball team and the need for upcoming players to step up and fill the void left by experienced athletes like her.
Overall, this final qualifying match serves as a pivotal moment for not only Bratka but also for the Estonia women's team, who are determined to finish strong despite the series of defeats. The outcome of the match may help galvanize the team for future tournaments and inspire younger players adhering to the collegiate system in Estonia's basketball circuit.