Lomazs reflects on his journey, his connection to Klaipeda, and why the EuroCup was always on his radar.
Rihards Lomazs, Neptunas: 'I always wanted to play the EuroCup'
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At age 29, Rihards Lomazs is finally living out a long-held dream: competing in the BKT EuroCup. After years of playing across Europe — from France to Turkiye — the Latvian sharpshooter is thriving in his debut season with Neptunas Klaipeda, just a short drive from home. In this exclusive interview with Javier Gancedo, Lomazs reflects on his journey, his growing impact, and why the EuroCup was always on his radar.
Let's start by talking about the win against Manresa, one of the best teams in the group. You dominated the game from start to finish. What allowed you to play so well and to play such a good game?
"I would say we are in good shape now. We've found a really good rhythm lately, both here in the EuroCup and domestically. We had one loss, but I could probably say that this was a mistake from our side, but other than that, we have a good rhythm and were really focused on that game, because we knew if we want to achieve something, we have to protect our home court. So we did that and pretty much the whole game, we were up, and there weren't any big ups and downs like we had earlier in the season. So yes, this was good and a really important victory for us."
And you are on a three-game winning streak after a 0-3 start. It is understood that you needed an adjustment with so many new players and going into the EuroCup, right?
"For sure, especially because Velicka and I were with our national teams and missed the entire preseason. We arrived like one week before the season started. We both played, I think, one pre-season tournament, which was playing Saturday and Sunday, with one practice behind us, and I think Velicka didn't even have that practice. We just had two games with the team, which was like nothing. Everyone needed to adjust to each other and to understand what is what, but now, during the season, I think it's just getting better and better, and me personally, too. I had to catch the rhythm with the new team, and in the start, I kind of struggled too because of the EuroBasket, all the tiredness, all the little injuries, but now when you're fully focused and healthy, it's much easier. Now, when you catch a good rhythm and you feel your teammates trust you and you trust them, it's much easier, for sure."
You have played everywhere and at every level, but this is your first EuroCup season. How do you like it so far?
"I like it! Like you said, I have been everywhere, but I like it, I really like it, because it's different countries. You play against a team in Spain, Slovenia, Germany, and so on, so it's really competitive, and what I like... It's 18 games, so it's really important to have a good rhythm in general. You play two games a week, one in the EuroCup and one in the Lithuanian League, so it's perfect and I really love it. It is tough and every game, already from the start of the season, especially for us, its really important, and if we want to achieve something, like making it to the playoffs and going even further, then we have to be focused. So far, I really love it."
We had a lot of Latvian teams in the EuroCup when you were growing up. You played for Ventspils Augstskola when the team was in the EuroCup. VEF Riga, ASK Riga and Barons also played the EuroCup. Did you follow the competition?
"Yeah, I followed the Latvian teams. I remember that VEF Riga was really close to making it to the top eight. They lost two important games, one against Valencia, a tough game that went to overtime [editor's note: 96-103 in overtime, February 12, 2013] and the second one in Bilbao [the next week, February 19, 76-65]. So yes, I knew the competition. I always followed it. I always wanted to play the EuroCup, but somehow, I never had a chance. I never had the opportunity to come here. There was interest from some teams, but it never kind of worked out in the end for me to sign a deal. So now, when I had the chance, I for sure said, 'I want to come here and compete in the EuroCup, to try how it is', and there are really good teams here, really good quality players. It's super nice."
You are also playing in Klaipeda, a very underrated basketball city. Many good players have come out of this city. How big is basketball in Klaipeda?
"I think people in the start were kind of shy, I would say they forgot the feeling of how it is to compete in a European competition, because it's been some time since they were in a European competition. And last season was really tough for them, so people were kind of waiting to come to the games and everything. But now, since we've started winning games, and they really see the sun behind the clouds, people are getting more and more to the games, and they really support us more and more. And you can tell that people love basketball here. This is Lithuania, so it is not a big surprise that they love basketball, and their support is good. I am sure it will get even better and better during the season. We will have more sell-outs, for sure, but it depends on us, too. We have to win games and play really good basketball, and then people will want to follow us more and more. It is a win-win for both."
And after playing everywhere, you are a three-hour drive from home. You were born in Tukums, Latvia, so...
"[interrumpting] That's right, but I was only born there, that's it, I have no connections there at all. I come from a small city, and at that time, when my mother had to give birth, the hospital was closed. But Tukums is very close to home, so they drove my mother to the closest hospital. Anyway, I have been living in Riga for some years now and have lived my whole life there. So yes, it is a three-hour drive home, and this year, I never had a feeling that I'm going somewhere, and I don't feel like I'm abroad, maybe that's why the transition was really that easy, and I really love it. All the culture is the same, and whenever you need... I mean, with this schedule, it's hard to go home, but at least my wife and the kids can easily drive home if we go on a one-week trip, and our grandparents can help her. It's perfect, I really love it, I love the location here."
We talked about Velicka earlier. He has been fantastic so far, getting 14 assists against Manresa. How great is it for a shooter like you to have a pass-first point guard like him?
"Well, the problem is he's just passing the ball to the roller, but I'm struggling with that! Nah, I am kidding. It's great! I think from the start, we have a really good connection, and he can really pass the ball. Not only that, he can score and create for others. I think we are a really good backcourt duo, me scoring-wise and him creating. I can create too, so having both of us at point guard and shooting guard is really good. I love playing with him. He has been playing really well. It's easy. It's great."
You will face Jerusalem next week. How much of a challenge is it to play this team after it beat Bahcesehir last week?
"For sure, it's going to be a tough game. Like you said, they just beat Bahcesehir, a team that had not lost before, a tough opponent. That is going to make it even tougher for us, because our main center [James Karnik] is leaving us due to family reasons. But then again, we are in good rhythm, and we are going to be fully focused and locked in. Hopefully, we can keep our winning streak going. It would be good to finish strong before the FIBA break. But for sure, this is a really tough opponent with really high-quality players. Probably half of their team could easily play in the EuroLeague, so it will be a tough one, especially in Belgrade."
Would you say that Jerusalem is one of the favorites to win the EuroCup?
"I think so, yes, especially of how they are playing. It will be very important for the top teams to skip the first playoff round and play only one do-or-die game at home before the best-of-three series in the semifinals and finals. It is really tough to say, but I would say Jerusalem, Bahcesehir, Besiktas and even Buducnost, which just beat Besiktas, are the favorites and they are kind of not hiding this. They are talking about this by themselves and really want to win the competition."
How about Neptunas? What would be a good season for your team?
"For sure, playoffs, to make it to the playoffs, I would say that it would be great to make it to the playoffs, and then from there on, we could see what we can do, and what's the situation there. It is very early, we have just played six of 18 regular-season games, so there are a lot of games to be played. But to make it to the playoffs in our first EuroCup season in a while, it would be great for us."