Portugal Stuns Czech Republic in Riga, Signalling a Basketball Rebirth

Portugal’s men’s basketball team delivered a jolt to Group A of the EuroBasket in Riga, surprising most bookmakers—and even a few local fans—by dispatching the higher-ranked Czech Republic. The 62-50 result was built on a suffocating defense, timely three-pointers and one very large NBA center. For foreigners living in Portugal, the win offers a quick snapshot of where the sport stands nationally, why it suddenly feels different this year, and what to expect as the tournament unfolds.

Riga opens the Group A curtain

Under the vaulted roof of Arena Riga, a small but vocal cluster of Portuguese supporters waved green-and-red scarves while Latvian neutrals wondered whether the evening would produce an upset. It did. The Czech Republic came in as FIBA’s 19th team, Portugal as No. 56, yet the scoreboard never fully reflected that gap. Both offenses started cold—only 14-14 after one quarter—but Portugal’s ability to turn rebounds into transition chances tilted the pace. By halftime the outsiders led 32-29. From the stands you could hear Portuguese chants of “Força, força!” drown out the larger Czech contingent, a sign that the match was taking on significance beyond its modest ticket sales.

Neemias Queta towers above expectations

Every big tournament seems to create a breakout star for casual viewers. In Riga that headline fell to Neemias Queta, the 2.11-metre Boston Celtics center who authored 23 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks and two steals in just 30 minutes. His footwork in the low post forced double-teams, freeing Rafael Lisboa and Travante Williams to punish the perimeter. Queta became the first debutant since 1995 to post 20-plus points and 15-plus boards in an opening EuroBasket game—a stat that left even Czech coach Diego Gallardo admitting his plan was “shredded by sheer size.” For expats who follow the NBA, seeing a compatriot of your new home holding his own on a continental stage may add an unexpected rooting interest.

Why this upset matters for Portugal’s long-absent squad

Portugal last appeared at the EuroBasket 14 years ago; its entire modern diaspora of newcomers has never seen the men’s seleção in this spotlight. Historically the country owns just three previous entries—1951, 2007 and 2011—with a best finish of ninth. This win not only breaks an 18-year drought without an opening-round victory but also chips away at the psychological hurdle of competing against nations with deeper domestic leagues. Coach Mário Gomes told reporters the result “gives the locker room a sense we can trade punches with anyone.” Should the side add one more victory—against Latvia or Estonia—the path to the round of 16 becomes plausible, something unseen since the Golden Generation of 2007.

What foreign residents should know before the next tip-off

Travel logistics are straightforward if you fancy a quick Baltic getaway: direct flights from Lisbon to Riga run about 4 hours, and day-of tickets at Arena Riga still start near €20. If you stay put in Portugal, national broadcaster RTP2 streams games for free, while pay-TV provider Sport TV carries the English-language feed. Portugal faces Latvia on 1 September at 16:00 Lisbon time, followed by Estonia on 3 September at 12:45. Local watch parties have sprouted in Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré bar district, Porto’s Praça dos Poveiros and the Algarve expat hub of Albufeira; many venues are adding commentary in English precisely because the roster now features an NBA name casual fans recognise.

Expert voices see a turning point

Analysts from Spanish outlet Gigantes del Basket called the win “a blueprint for smaller federations: lean on one NBA-calibre anchor and surround him with fearless guards.” Portuguese former international Miguel Cardoso believes Queta’s presence “raises the collective IQ because shooters know the ball will come back out.” Meanwhile Czech legend Jan Veselý warned that Portugal “must prove consistency—one upset is memorable, two create a narrative.” Bookmakers adjusted their odds, slashing Portugal’s price to qualify for the knockout phase from 12-1 to 5-1 overnight, evidence that markets—and not just patriotic hearts—noticed.

Historic echoes and the road ahead

Basketball in Portugal has long lived in football’s shadow, yet moments like Riga echo the 2007 run that briefly captivated the nation. Back then nobody expected João Gomes and Elvis Évora to topple Israel; today a new era pins hope on Queta, Williams, Lisboa and Francisco Amarante. For expatriates choosing to plant roots here, the subplot offers a cultural footnote: a country synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo may soon attach equal pride to a center from Barreiro swatting shots in Riga. Whether the fairytale extends past group play remains uncertain, but for now the message is clear—Portugal is back on Europe’s hardwood, and the invitation to ride the wave is open to locals and newcomers alike.