Latvian basketball players defeated the Estonian national team in a tense match in Riga on Friday with a score of 72:70, winning their first victory at the 2025 European Championship.

Porzingis became the main hero of the match – he scored 26 points (2p. 8/8, 3p. 0/4, free throws 10/13), grabbed seven rebounds, committed seven fouls and blocked two shots.

The very next day, the Latvian national team will face the tournament's main favorite, Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Jokic.

The 30-year-old Jokic, who is the same age as Porzingis, won the NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023 and also earned the MVP award.

Jokic has helped the Serbian national team win two Olympic medals – silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and bronze in Paris in 2024.

TVNET asked at the press conference if Porzingis wanted to take on a defensive role on Saturday to play against arguably the best basketball player in the world?

"It's a challenge - he's very difficult to fight. We've been playing against each other for several years (in the NBA). I know him well, he knows me," Porzingis said.

"It's clear that it won't be easy. With a basketball mind like his, you need several people there, you need help," the Latvian basketball player continued.

"We'll have something to fight him with tomorrow. As you said, we have a chance to do something interesting. Maybe surprise him somehow. We have to go for it."

The Latvians fight against the main favorites of the European Championship, Serbia, is scheduled for Saturday at 18:00.