Croatia dominates Latvia in World Cup qualifier, closing in on tournament berth

Croatia's men's national basketball team delivered a dominant performance, overwhelming Latvia with a 115-70 victory in a vital World Cup qualifying game. This win propels Croatia closer to securing a spot in the upcoming World Cup.

The team showcased exceptional offensive prowess, with Mario Hezonja leading the charge with 28 points and Karlo Matković contributing 17. Luka Božić also impressed with 17 points, earning ovations from the home crowd. Despite strong performances from key players like Hezonja and Matković, Croatia's victory was achieved even with lower scoring outputs from their primary big men, Šarić and Zubac.

This marks Croatia's third consecutive win, with all three games featuring triple-digit scores. The team's efficiency was notable, shooting 81 percent from two-point range and a solid 42 percent from beyond the arc, while limiting Latvia's three-point attempts.

With this significant win, Croatia now holds a three-game lead over Latvia and a four-game advantage over the Netherlands in the standings. A victory against the Netherlands in their upcoming match in Amsterdam would virtually guarantee Croatia's qualification for the World Cup, placing them in a very strong position in the competitive group.