Latvia is better than the Netherlands, but there's too much redundancy to be able to defend the high line of Croatia

The Croatian men's basketball team has entered the second round of qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar with confidence, aiming to secure two victories against Latvia and the Netherlands in the upcoming matches. Coach Tomislav Mijatović will lead the squad through their first training session in Opatija ahead of these crucial games, which are scheduled for early September 2027. Croatia’s performance in the first round was impressive, with five wins out of six matches, placing them in a strong position heading into the new phase of competition. The team hopes to maintain its momentum and build upon its recent success, particularly given that the current roster includes players who have yet to experience a World Cup campaign. The path to the World Cup requires three top teams from each group in the second round to qualify, and Croatia currently holds a 5-1 record alongside Germany, while Poland leads with a perfect 6-0 record. This makes the upcoming matches against Latvia and the Netherlands critical for Croatia’s chances of advancing further. If they can secure two wins, they would significantly strengthen their position in the group standings. Latvia enters the second round with a 3-3 record, having won three and lost three matches so far. However, the Latvian team faces challenges due to several key absences. Players such as Rodions Kurucs, Rolands Šmits, Kristaps Porziņģis, Andrejs Gražulis, and Artūrs Kurucs will not participate in the match against Croatia. These absences leave Latvia with a weakened lineup, relying heavily on players like Artūrs Žagars, Kristers Zoriks, and Rihards Lomažs, who are less experienced compared to the absent stars. Despite these setbacks, Latvia remains a formidable opponent. Their head coach, Dairis Bertans, acknowledged the difficulties faced by his team, noting that many players had reasons for not being available for selection. While some of these reasons were unclear to him, he emphasized the importance of focusing on the players who are present rather than those who are missing. Croatia's preparations for the upcoming matches include a focus on maintaining high standards of performance. With the absence of three NBA players, such as Ivica Zubac, Karlo Matković, and Mario Hezonja, who will be unavailable during the winter and February matches, the team must rely on its current core. This means that securing victories in the initial matches is vital to building a solid foundation before facing tougher opponents later in the qualification process. The Croatian team has already begun its preparations, with Mijatović planning to conduct training sessions in Opatija. The coach expressed optimism about the team's prospects, emphasizing the need for consistency and resilience. The upcoming matches against Latvia and the Netherlands will serve as a litmus test for Croatia’s readiness to compete at the highest level. As the qualification process continues, the Croatian team aims to maintain its strong performance and avoid any slip-ups that could jeopardize their chances of reaching the World Cup. The results of these early matches will be crucial in determining how well the team can perform under pressure and whether they can continue their winning streak.