Latvia men thrash Turkey 24-9 to open lacrosse sixes European Championship

Latvia's men's lacrosse team opened the sixes European Championship in Spain on Wednesday with a 24-9 win over Turkey (6-3, 6-2, 7-1, 5-3) in Group A, the Latvian news agency LETA reported. Latvia led after the first quarter and extended their advantage in each of the next three.

Vinsents Faciponti and Pols Tirnijs, as they are listed on the Latvian roster, scored five goals each. Andris Doktors had seven points (three goals and four assists), Džeimss Moens six (three and three), and Pents Eistrats added three goals. Taner Marusa led Turkey with four goals.

Three games in four days

Latvia have three more Group A games: against the hosts, Spain, at 11:00 Riga time on Thursday, against Great Britain at 18:00 on Friday and against Poland at 16:30 on Saturday. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarter-finals, followed by the knockout rounds and placement games.

Why the tournament matters

Sixes, six-a-side lacrosse, is a shorter and faster version of the game and the format that will be played at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The European Championship is the first stage of qualifying: all four semi-finalists qualify for the 2027 World Championship, while the losing quarter-finalists play for fifth place, which carries Europe's last place at the World Championship.

Four Olympic places will be awarded at the World Championship. Six men's and six women's teams will compete at the Games; the United States are guaranteed a place as hosts, and the final places will be decided at a special qualifying tournament in early 2028.

Latvia's squad for the championship: Raiens Rihters, Daniels Lucs, Džeimss Moens, Īlajs Lasda, Georgs Roziņš, Pols Tirnijs, Andris Doktors, Vinsents Faciponti, Daniels Zanders, Railijs Lasda, Harisons Najs and Pents Eistrats, with Deivids Lucs, Kristofers Doktors and Renārs Audze in reserve.