From 21 to 26 August, Valmiera came alive with the spirit of basketball as the city hosted the international youth basketball tournament Bertans Valmiera Summer Cup 2026, bringing together young players from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Over several days, the basketball courts were filled with excitement, emotion and competitive spirit. This year, teams competed across five age groups, featuring boys born in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2012.
The Bertans Valmiera Summer Cup is about much more than the final score. The tournament provides young players with an opportunity not only to compete, but also to gain valuable experience, build new friendships and experience the sense of community that basketball creates.
The Hesburger Skills Challenge has become an integral part of the tournament tradition, giving young players the opportunity to put their individual skills and abilities to the test. During the first stage of the tournament, representatives of DSN Riga and Gulbenes BJSS were among the top performers, while in the second stage, the best results were achieved by players from DSN Riga and SK Ezerzeme.
The coaches also had a challenge of their own. In the Sporta Bode Coaches Challenge, they put their shooting accuracy to the test with shots from the half-court line. The most accurate shooters across the two stages of the tournament were Bertānu Valmieras Basketball School coaches Jānis Kaufmanis and Elvijs Švēde.
The tournament was organised by the Valmiera Summer Cup association in close cooperation with Bertānu Valmieras Basketball School and Valmiera Glass VIA, continuing their commitment to creating an environment where young basketball players can develop, compete and gain valuable international game experience.
Six basketball-filled days concluded with the final standings determined across all five age groups.
Tournament Results
2017 Age Group
1st place – DSN Riga
2nd place – Bertanu Valmieras BS
3rd place – RBS Jugla
4th place – Marupes NSS
5th place – Vilniaus krepsinio mokykla
6th place – A. K. VEF
2016 Age Group
1st place – Gulbenes BJSS
2nd place – Bertanu Valmieras BS
3rd place – RBS Jugla
4th place – Rujienas SS
5th place – Rae SK/Kiili SK
6th place – University of Tartu BS
2015 Age Group
1st place – Madonas BJSS
2nd place – Saldus SS
3rd place – BK Kekava
4th place – Bertanu Valmieras BS
5th place – DSN Riga
6th place – Liepajas SS
7th place – Rujienas SS
8th place – University of Tartu BS
2014 Age Group
1st place – DSN Riga
2nd place – BS Zemgale
3rd place – Tartu
4th place – Cesu PSS
5th place – KV Basketball Academy
6th place – Bertanu Valmieras BS
7th place – DSN Riga
8th place – Rujienas SS
2012 Age Group
1st place – SK Ezerzeme
2nd place – Tartu Black
3rd place – DSN Riga (2013)
4th place – Tartu White
5th place – Rujienas SS
6th place – Bertanu Valmieras BS (2013)
7th place – Bertanu Valmieras BS
8th place – Cesu PSS
9th place – Tartu (2013)
10th place – Gulbenes BJSS
11th place – BS Zemgale
12th place – SK Ezerzeme (2013)
“Bertans Valmiera Summer Cup 2026” is made possible with the support of Valmiera Municipality, VALMIERA GLASS VIA, Bertanu Valmiera basketbola skola, Hesburger and Aimasa.
Special gifts and surprises for tournament participants will also be provided by Tymbark, Sporta Bode, Rūjienas Saldejums, Avène, Saules Klingeris, Muesli Graci and Musdienu virtulis (Valmieras Bulanzerija).
Professional photographers Emīls Vanags, Elīna Andersone and Jānis Lārmanis captured the tournament’s most memorable moments and team photo sessions, ensuring that the emotions and memories of the event will live on long after the final whistle.
The organisers also extend their appreciation to Valmieras ūdens for providing high-quality drinking water to the tournament participants throughout the event.
