ÖBV women start EuroBasket qualifiers with defeat
Austria's women's basketball team suffer defeat against Latvia in their opener.
Austria's women's national team have started the second and final phase of qualifying for FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 with a defeat.
Head coach Jesper Sundberg's ÖBV side were beaten 66-81 (34-39) by world number 36 Latvia in front of 700 fans at the Sport Arena Wien.
Top scorer for the Austrians, who remained within striking distance of the favorites until the third quarter, was Sarah Sagerer (16).
First World Cup appearance since 1972 the goal
With five games still to play, the Austrians still have every chance of qualifying for their first European Championship since 1972.
World Cup participants Italy will visit Vienna as early as Saturday (6:00 p.m.), before the first window concludes with an away game in Slovenia on November 17.
