Kocēnu, Latvia – Lielvārdes SC/Ogre delivered a commanding performance Thursday, defeating Kocēnu Rubene/KSS 13-4 in the opening game of the Latvian Floorball League (LFL) men’s first division playoff semifinals. The victory gives Lielvārdes SC/Ogre a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
The match, played at the Kocēnu Sports Hall, saw a competitive first half, but Lielvārdes SC/Ogre seized control in the middle stages of the game, ultimately securing a decisive win. This marks the beginning of the playoff round for both teams, having each navigated five-game quarterfinal series to reach this stage. Rubene/KSS advanced after securing a victory over Lekrings/CPSS on March 8th, earning their spot in the league’s second bracket of the semifinals.
Gvido Grjunbergs led the scoring for Lielvārdes SC/Ogre with a remarkable four-point performance, netting three goals and adding one assist. The Latvian Floorball Federation reported the final score as 13-4.
This isn’t the first meeting between these two teams this season. According to information from Valmieras Novads Sports, Rubene/KSS and Lielvārdes SC/Ogre had previously faced each other twice, with each team securing a victory on their opponent’s home floor. This prior history added an extra layer of anticipation to Thursday’s matchup.
The second game of the series is scheduled for March 14th at the Kocēnu Sports Hall. Rubene/KSS will be looking to even the series and force a decisive third game, while Lielvārdes SC/Ogre will aim to close out the semifinal and advance to the championship round.
The atmosphere at the Kocēnu Sports Hall was reportedly lively, with fans eager to support their local team. Jānis Lārmanis captured the action with photographs throughout the game.
For fans following the Latvian Floorball League, the outcome of this semifinal series will significantly impact the championship picture. Lielvārdes SC/Ogre’s strong start puts them in a favorable position, but Rubene/KSS will undoubtedly be motivated to defend their home court in the next game. The league’s website, floorball.lv, will continue to provide updates and results throughout the playoffs.
The next match on March 14th promises to be another exciting contest as Rubene/KSS fights to stay alive in the playoffs. Floorball fans in Kocēni and across Latvia will be watching closely to see if the home team can respond to Lielvārdes SC/Ogre’s dominant performance.
Photo: Jānis Lārmanis
