The Latvian men’s hockey team for two test matches against France includes four debutants, reports the Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF).
The team led by Hari Vītoliņš will compete with the French national team “Daugava” in Riga on November 9 and 10. Both matches will start at 19:00.
Three goalkeepers, eight defenders and twelve forwards are included in the Latvian national team during this break. Arginto Milbergs, Kristaps Roķis, Roberts Cjunskis and Anrī Ravinskis have not played for the Latvian national team before.
In December, the Latvian national team will compete in the “Kaufland” Cup in Slovakia, where the home team and the Latvians will also participate in Norway, while in April eight test matches will be played in preparation for the world championship.
It is planned that in the last stage of preparation for the world championship, the Latvian national team will play two matches against the Austrian team at home, one against Finland, with whom there is an agreement for friendly matches for two years, then there will be test matches in Switzerland, while the preparations for the championship will be concluded in front of their own audience against Norwegians.
The 2024 championship will take place in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26.
Latvian men’s hockey national team for the test matches against France:
goalkeepers – Ivars Punnenov (“Lausanne”, Switzerland), Erik Vitols (“KeuPa”, Finland), Arginto Milberg (“Kurbad”);
defenders – Kristiāns Rubīns (“MoDo”, Sweden), Kristaps Zīle (“Verva”, Czech Republic), Roberts Mamčić (Nove Zāmki “Mikron”, Slovakia), Mick Tumanov (JYP Jyveskile, Finland), Ernest Ošenek (“Hermes “, Finland), Arturs Andzhan (Keuru “KeuPa”, Finland), Nauris Sejējs (Kiesnachts “Lyon”, Switzerland), Patriks Ozols (Jihlava “Dukla”, Czech Republic);
forwards – Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Šlelefteo AIK, Sweden), Renārs Krastenberg (no club), Eduards Tralmaks (Kladno “Rytīrži”, Czech Republic), Haralds Egle (Liptovski Mikuláš “MHK 32”, Slovakia), Georgs Golovkov (Estešundas IK, Sweden) , Filips Buncis (Vesterviks IK, Sweden), Oskars Lapinskis (Langnavas “Tigers”, Switzerland), Daniels Bērzins (“Vsetin”, Czech Republic), Rihards Melnalksnis (“Olten”, Switzerland), Kristaps Roķis (Jelgava “Zemgale”/LBTU ), Robert Cjunskis (Lugano, Switzerland), Henri Ravinskis (Imatras “Kettera”, Finland).
