History
BK Ventspils was founded in 1994. In first years Ventspils proved themselves as relevant part of Latvian basketball, but major step came in 1997 when Ventspils Olympic Center was built. At that time Ventspils started to play in international competitions playing in 1997-98 edition of Korać Cup, which was followed by playing in Saporta Cup. Meanwhile in the Latvian League Ventspils reached finals in both 1998 and 1999, but in 2000 they won their first domestic title and then went on to win seven consecutive from 2000 to 2006. The team won its eight Latvian League championship in 2009.
During that championship run Ventspils also had great performances in European competitions. In the 2002-03 season Ventspils reached FIBA Champions Cup Final Four, where they finished third. In the 2003-04 season Ventspils debuted in the ULEB Cup competition, making Eighth-finals. In 2003-04 ULEB Cup season Ventspils reached new heights and missed Semi-finals after losing by one point in two game series against KK Hemofarm.
Ventspils has been place for many players to establish themselves on European stage such as Mire Chatman, Marijonas Petravičius, Jānis Blūms, Brent Wright and others, who later had successful careers on Euroleague level.
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“The disadvantage of men not knowing the past is that they do not know the present. History is a hill or high point of vantage, from which alone men see the town in which they live or the age in which they are living.”
—Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936)
“The custard is setting; meanwhile
I not only have my own history to worry about
But am forced to fret over insufficient details related to large
Unfinished concepts that can never bring themselves to the point
Of being, with or without my help, if any were forthcoming.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“The history of reform is always identical; it is the comparison of the idea with the fact. Our modes of living are not agreeable to our imagination. We suspect they are unworthy. We arraign our daily employments.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)