BKT EuroCup: Latvian Basketball Footprints in Ljubljana. Now in Riga.

On October 14 at 19:00, “Rīgas Zeļļi” will host Slovenian basketball powerhouse “Cedevita Olimpija” at Xiaomi Arena – a club whose history is closely connected to Latvian basketball.

Although the “Cedevita Olimpija” name has existed only since 2019, the club’s story goes back much further. Its predecessor, “Olimpija Ljubljana”, was founded in 1946, while “Union Olimpija” spent more than a decade as one of the established names in European club basketball. The Ljubljana team played in the EuroLeague for 12 consecutive seasons, from 2000/01 through 2011/12.

Several of Latvia’s most prominent basketball names have also played on this club’s court.

In 2002, Roberts Štelmahers joined “Olimpija”, spending two seasons in Ljubljana. He played in the EuroLeague in both seasons and in 2004 helped the team win the Slovenian Championship. During Štelmahers’ time at the club, “Olimpija” also reached the EuroLeague Top 16.

Almost a decade later, Ljubljana became an important chapter in the career of Dāvis Bertāns. The Latvian national team forward spent the 2010–2012 seasons with “Olimpija”, winning the Slovenian Cup and establishing himself at the highest level of European basketball.

But the Latvian connection to the Ljubljana club goes beyond Štelmahers and Bertāns. Kaspars Cipruss and Ronalds Zaķis have also worn the “Olimpija” jersey.

Today, “Cedevita Olimpija” is one of the flagship clubs of Slovenian basketball and a regular EuroCup participant. Meanwhile, “Rīgas Zeļļi” are only beginning their European journey, making their debut in European competition this season.

Now, these two stories will meet in Riga.

Štelmahers. Bertāns. Cipruss. Zaķis. Four Latvians who left their mark on Ljubljana basketball. Now — “Rīgas Zeļļi” vs “Cedevita Olimpija”. October 14, 7:00 PM, Xiaomi Arena.