Ainars Bagatskis is expected to soon be confirmed as the new coach of Latvia.

Currently at the helm of EuroChallenge outfit Enisey Krasnoyarsk in Russia, the 42-year-old Bagatskis was a long-time player for the Latvians and played at four EuroBaskets - the last in 2003 in Sweden when he logged more than 26 minutes per contest and averaged 14.3 points.

"To become the national team coach is an honor and a challenge for any coach," Bagatskis said.

"At the same time, it is a very important responsibility because the team represents the whole country.

"It's always been special when playing for the Latvian national team and therefore, I would be proud to represent Latvia basketball in the future, this time as coach."

If confirmed by a vote at the Latvian Basketball Federation in Riga on February 3, Bagatskis will bring in former Latvia teammate Roberts Stelmahers as his main assistant.

Stelmahers is currently at the helm of Lithuania club Perlas Vilnius.

Gundars Vetra, UMMC Ekaterinburg's Latvian coach, was considered for the position before EuroBasket 2009 and was again a possibility for the position this time but he ruled himself out.

He has a contract with EuroLeague Women outfit Ekaterinburg through the 2010-2011 campaign.

"It`s not possible to wear two different hats, coaching a women`s club and the men`s national team at the same time," Vetra said.

Latvia had high hopes going into EuroBasket 2009 in Poland under Lithuanian coach Kestutis Kemzura but failed to progress from their Preliminary Round group after win one in their three games.

The Baltic country offered Kemzura a chance to continue in the job but he declined and was later appointed coach of Lithuania.

Latvia were on Saturday drawn in a ‘group of death' for their EuroBasket 2011 qualifying campaign.

They will take on Israel, Finland, Italy and Montenegro.