RIGA — The Latvian national basketball team has come up short in two of its first three games of Eurobasket 2011 qualifying round, getting hammered 110-88 by Israel on Sunday and losing to Montenegro 96-66, both on the road.

The squad did manage a victory in its second game on Thursday at home, edging out Italy 69-68. Hopefully the Latvians will hold their own during the rest of their home matches, otherwise the team may not make it into Lithuania after all. Latvia is in Group A of Division A, along with a promising Israel, Montenegro and Italy.

Estonia is in Division B, Group A and will face Luxembourg, Netherlands and Austria starting Aug. 14. Since Lithuania is hosting the tournament this year, the basketball powerhouse is automatically entered.

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