Liepāja, Latvia – The Ķekavas Bulldogs are off to a strong start in the Latvian U14 Floorball Championship, securing a 2-0 victory over FK Kurši X on March 18th in Liepāja. The win marks the beginning of the quarterfinal series for the Bulldogs in the U14 first division tournament.
The key to Ķekavas’ success was undoubtedly the stellar performance of goaltender Eidijs Džeimijs Feldmanis, who stopped all 17 shots faced from the Liepāja-based team. Feldmanis’s perfect game proved to be the difference, shutting down any offensive momentum FK Kurši X attempted to build.
Floorball, a fast-paced indoor sport similar to ice hockey but played on a smooth surface with plastic sticks and a lightweight ball, is gaining popularity in Latvia. The Latvian Floorball Association (Latvijas Florbola savienība) oversees the development of the sport at all levels, from youth programs to the national league. The U14 division represents a crucial stage in player development, fostering the next generation of Latvian floorball talent.
FK Kurši, based in Liepāja, has a long-standing history in Latvian floorball, boasting over 20 years of operation. The club encompasses both a sports society, “Florbola klubs Kurši,” and a specialized sports school dedicated to professional floorball education, currently nurturing over 200 young athletes. The team’s recent participation in the U14 championship highlights their commitment to youth development within the sport.
While the U14 matchup concluded with a decisive score, the broader Latvian floorball scene has been active recently. FK Kurši competed in a series of matches in March, including a close contest against KNSS/Linde Grupa, ultimately falling 5-6 in Kuldīga on March 20th. A rematch was scheduled for March 22nd in Kuldīga. The club also recently faced off against SK Leģions/GSC, winning 7-4 on February 28th, and FK Ulbroka, losing 6-11 on March 14th.
The Latvian Championship 1st League standings currently see FK Kurši in a strong position, holding the top spot with 45 points after 20 games. SK Slampe/Zevid follows closely with 40 points, while Masters Ulbroka and FBK Baloži are also in contention with 38 and 36 points respectively. The Ķekavas Bulldogs currently sit in 5th place with 34 points.
Liepāja itself is preparing to host its 28th annual city championship in florball on May 2nd and 3rd, offering another opportunity for local teams and players to showcase their skills. Registration for the tournament is open until April 20th.
The next step for the Ķekavas Bulldogs will be the continuation of their U14 quarterfinal series against FK Kurši X. The date and location of the next match have not yet been announced by the Latvian Floorball Association, but updates will be available on their official website: https://www.floorball.lv/lv/. Fans can also find more information about FK Kurši on their website: https://fkkursi.lv/lv/aktualitates-1/.
This victory for the Ķekavas Bulldogs sets the stage for an exciting quarterfinal series, and Eidijs Džeimijs Feldmanis’s outstanding performance will undoubtedly be a key factor as they continue their pursuit of the U14 championship title.
