Dzika Varshava secured a 102-95 victory over VEf Riga in the Champions League on Wednesday, extending their recent winning streak while Riga's struggles continued. The Polish side outperformed the Latvian hosts across most statistical categories, particularly in ball security and field goal efficiency. And here's the thing — Riga attempted 38 three-pointers but converted only 12, while Varshava managed 8 from 29 attempts with greater overall impact.
The visitors' advantage came from better shot selection and fewer mistakes. Varshava committed just 3 turnovers compared to Riga's 8, and their 35 successful field goals outpaced the hosts' 30. To be fair, Riga did generate more offensive rebounds — 9 versus 12 — but couldn't convert that second-chance work into a win.
Looking at the broader picture, Riga sit fourth in the table with 1 win from 6 games and 5 defeats. They had beaten Lviv Absheron 105-88 just three days earlier, but that victory offered little comfort against a side that played with more composure. The hosts' defensive rebounding of 23 was respectable, yet they couldn't contain Varshava's 38 total rebounds or limit their 19 assists.
Varshava come into this fixture with momentum, having beaten Opava 116-99 on their last outing. Their 4 steals and 0 blocks tell a story of active hands rather than shot-blocking presence. They converted 24 of 33 free throws, a margin that often decides close games. By then, the result was clear — efficiency over volume won the day.
The victory leaves Varshava with a positive record while Riga's gap in the standings remains unbridgeable. With 5 losses already, the Latvian side faces mounting pressure. The statistics don't lie — 102 points conceded without a fight is difficult to accept. The season is young, but the message is loud.
