On Thursday, May 9, at 19:45, the final series of the Pafbet Latvian Basketball League will begin in the Rimi Olympic Center, where two teams from the capital will compete after a 14-year break: “VEF Rīga” – “Rīgas Zeļļi”. The games will be broadcast by LTV7.
“VEF Rīga” – “Rīgas Zellļi”: up to 4 wins
| Dat. | Time | Place | The result | In the series |
| 09.05. | 19:45 | Rimi OC | ||
| 13.05. | 20:00 | DSN | ||
| 16.05. | 20:00 | Rimi OC | ||
| 19.05. | 15:00 | DSN | ||
| 22.05.* | 20:00 | Rimi OC | ||
| 24.05. | 19:00 | DSN | ||
| ??.05.* | ? | ? |
In the history of the LBL’s 33 seasons, this will be the 32nd final series (one was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020) and the 12th pair of finalists.
This will be the 14th final in a row for the “VEF Riga” team. Until now, the team of BK “Ventspils” has been the opponent 11 times (balance 9-2), but so far more original opponents have had to give up in seven-game series (in 2010 – BK “Barons”, in 2016 – “Valmiera/ORDO”).
“Rīgas Zellļi” reached the final in their first season. Previously, Artūrs Strēlnieks had the experience of six final series (23 titles), Mārtiņš Meier five (1 title) as part of other teams.
This season, in the main tournament of the Pafbet Latvian-Estonian league, the teams won one victory each in the mutual games (“Zeļļi” on December 27 with 93:86, “VEF Rīga” on February 14 with 98:77), but in the quarter-finals “VEF Rīga” won both matches – 87 :72 and 94:87). In addition, “VGEF Rīga” won the final game of the Latvian basketball Užava Cup (94:69).
*If necessary (the date, place and time of the seventh final game will be specified if necessary).
BK “Ventspils” – BK “Liepāja”: up to 3 wins
On Saturday, May 11, at 2 p.m., the first match in the Kurzeme derby for 3rd place will begin. The games will be available on Sportacerntrs.com and TV4.
| Dat. | Time | Place | The result | In the series |
| 11.05. | 14:00 | OC Ventspils | ||
| 14.05. | 20:00 | OC of Liepaja | ||
| 17.05. | 19:00 | OC Ventspils | ||
| 20.05.* | 19:00 | OC of Liepaja | ||
| 23.05.* | 19:00 | OC Ventspils |
BK “Ventspils” will play in the “small final” for the sixth time. Previously, they managed to win in four cases out of five, including the Liepāja team in 2016 (3:2).
Liepājnieci will fight for bronze for the 10th time, having previously managed to win four out of nine series (the last time was last year – 3:1 over BK “Ogre”).
This season, in the main tournament of the Pafbet Latvian-Estonian league, the teams each won one away game (on October 6, “Liepāja” was superior with 102:96, on January 24, “Ventspils” took revenge with 90:70).
*If necessary
