After defeating Russia in 2000 in St. Petersburg, the hockey players had already gathered their supporters at the Freedom Monument, but the celebrations 23 years ago are not comparable to the one experienced in May this year, when tens of thousands welcomed the hockey team in the center of Riga on the holiday announced by the country after winning the bronze medals of the World Championship (WC). supporter. Basketball players followed the example of hockey players. The fifth place won in the World Cup by defeating several basketball superpowers was also a serious enough argument for the sports team to organize another grand celebration at the Freedom Monument.
Now the emotions have calmed down and the view is already turned in the direction of the next important tournaments. The hockey team will play the 2024 world championship games in the Czech Republic in May and will fight for a ticket to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan in Riga in August. Next year, the national basketball team will have to answer the Hamlet question – to be or not to be in the Olympics – at the July tournament in Riga.
START WITH USUAL TASK
After winning bronze medals at the world championship, the Latvian national ice hockey team did not significantly improve its position in the ranking of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Overtaking Denmark, Latvia rose from 11th to 10th position. The IIHF rankings take into account the results of the last four years in the world championships and the Olympic Games, thus more objectively reflecting the balance of power on the world hockey map. In one tournament, however, the factor of randomness can play a significant role, because when the playoffs begin, a win or a loss can be carried high and can also come down painfully.
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