“Who would have thought after the first two games of the tournament that we can do it. We, all of Latvia, our fans. They pushed us forward. We proved to the whole hockey world that with huge hearts, with huge dedication, you can achieve great things and perform miracles. I’m in seventh heaven right now. I just want to enjoy the moment. I hope it never ends. I’m happy. Thank you everyone, everyone, everyone,” said Kristaps Zīle.
The 25-year-old defender pulled out another medal from his equipment during the conversation. After the semi-final against Canada, Zīle gave his stick to a small fan, but today he received the gift himself. “One little boy gave me a medal and said that we already deserve it, that in his eyes we are already champions. I said that after the game I will take another medal to Latvia. I am glad that we were able to get it for Latvia. Tomorrow we will meet at the Freedom Monument and celebrating!”
“Before the game, I told them to throw me in the face at least three times – I’m ready for it, that only we win. It’s worth it. When you give everything and see that the team is doing the same, and at the end you hang a medal around your neck… All the blood , all the X-rays that have gone through are worth it,” said the selfless Zīle, whose blocked shots were one of the keys to Latvia’s minority.
Kristaps Zīle: Before the game, one little boy gave me a medal and said that in his eyes we are champions. I told him that after the game I would take another medal to Latvia pic.twitter.com/kZHetPDw8E
— Ulvis Brozhe (@UlvisBrozhe) May 28, 2023
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