Latvia won a bronze medal at the IIHF World Hockey Championships and this video goes more into why this is such a major accomplishment for the country. #hockey
I have to say as a Finn, Latvia had by far the best fans while Finns sat on their asses in their home arena, and i'm happy for their bronze, they showed enthusiasm that many countries were lacking. Latvia played great tournament and hopefully the momentum continues to future, hockey community needs new countries that can beat established ones. When ever smaller hockey country beats bigger, i feel warm inside.
As a Latvian let me tell you: after Switzerland everyone was rooting for us, it was the topic of the day all day long, unbelievable. We may have won only bronze, but it feels like we've won gold. After winning against USA people even drove around the town with our flag sticking from windows, cheering and honking, long after our win. 29th May is now a holiday here, because of them.
With Latvia being only 2 million and having 24 indoor rinks, I'm pretty sure, those numbers match with the city of Montreal(who might have even more rinks). In terms of population, it is really similar with the City of Montreal alone being 1.79 million and Latvia being 1.88 million. So with the same resources as Montreal, Latvia has been able to get a 3rd place while Montreal itself had no players, only two players from the Montreal Metro Area(Levi and Veleno). This country is always seen as an easy win, but when you look at how they perform with their ressources and population, it is amazing, I'm happy to see the passion it brings, and you can see there that it is their national sport.
@@danielbremner4142 yeah it does not matter THAT MUCH how big some city is, there are really small places in Finland or Sweden that produce many talents, even in Latvia one rink in a small town can produce more than a rink in some other bigger town, it's important what coaching staff you have, how they can teach and motivate kids etc.
Why is the number of rinks and the size of the population important here? Wouldnt it be the capabilities of trainers and players? According to your view that only takes into consideration population and rinks finland could never play against the usa because there are so many more rinks in the usa and the population is a lot higher there as well
During the USA/LAT play, interestingly I noticed the difference in happiness levels after scoring the goal. While US players felt happy for scoring, for Latvians you could see how much the game means to them
Yeah, I think Grimaldi said it well after the game: "You could see what this means to them. I think they probably wanted it a little more than we did. We said after the first period, we have to want it as much as they do because they’re playing like it was for a gold medal, not just a bronze. I don’t think we matched their intensity for the full 60 minutes." When USA scored the 3rd goal, they played like they had already won, but the crowd started to chant "Latvia! Latvia! Latvia!", and you could see Latvian players just get a second wind (I might be wrong but it truly felt like the fans helped!). It was like some movie where a tired, injured hero gathers his last strength, the number of shots done after 2nd third was 21:10 (USA:LV), and the game ended at 29:26. USA did 8 shots in 3rd part and OT, while Latvia did twice as more (16) and more than in first two thirds. They were aggressive and bold, and used every little opportunity. They really played for gold, and the USA team did not have the energy to match it in the end. Latvian team fought so well, it was such a pleasure to watch their relentlessness be rewarded. This team was something else!
@@prisonbreakd i mean if the other team did not play with the same intensity and was more careless is that even a good win for latvia then? Or fair? Let latvia face the usa team when they are just as much motivated to win, maybe for gold, and then see what the result will be
@@dreamthedream8929 :D :D ok lets put your loser team straight up in the gold match :D :D this is a tournament buddy, if you fail to gather your abilities to every game then you a loser son
This is the hypest thing that happened in Latvia in my lifetime. And judging by what older folks are saying probably beyond that. A senior gent at the victory celebration in Riga was asked how the atmosphere was and he compared it to how it felt 31 years ago when Latvia won its independence back from Soviet Russia. Yeah, let that sink in.
I was living in Latvia the first time they beat Russia. The Russian ambassador had declared that the Russian team would murder the Latvian team and thousands of flowers were laid outside the Russian embassy after the victory. It was pleasing to see that the American Ambassador was much more gracious than the Russians were. I’m always so impressed about the tremendous support that the Baltic teams get from their avid followers and happy about this ray of sunshine in very difficult geopolitical times
Another sensational game of Latvian Hockey! Remember like it was yesterday! Irbe was the man of the match, i belive he did everything to help to bring the team to victory at that game!
One of the biggest reasons why we can do what we can do is the nation as a whole. While in other countries, fans and citizens bash their team for doing "bad" in championships, we meet our guys with warmth and shouting "Malači" which means "Someone who did a great job". We always bring our heroes up and let them know we're thankful. I can see our hockey only improving, especially after this historic win. Our medals may be bronze-colored but we're the real winners of this tournament.
Its a medal, come on. Top 3. It doesnt matter much what color it is. Its good. There are so many strong hockey teams out there like sweden, czechia, finland, slovakia, switzerland and not everyone can be in top 3, its a high ranking good place to be
Oh let me tell you we're so proud. After Sweden, people would joke that you could go on a beach walk in Liepaja and hear Swedes crying across the sea, and the partying I've heard of, and how they're calling bronze the small gold. This is huge. It's so nice to see everyone so happy!
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Thank You! There is the whole adventure since 1991 when Latvia became independent, and before that players were able only to get out to the Olympic games in team USSR to match their strengths with rivals abroad. Balderis was one of the USSR stars back in the 70-80ies. There is a legend that after WW2 Latvians were those who thought Russians to play this game initially. and OG made this game popular with many backyard rinks in the 70ties. So Latvia finally got to the highest-level Championship in 1996. Since then 7yh place in 1997, 2004, 2009 was the highest achievement.. year by year from 2 to 24 indoor rinks were built. Yes - in 1991 - there were just 2 indoor rinks and no professional hockey at all. As comparably poor to USA, Latvian hockey kids 100% were fanatically sponsored by parents. And even now Latvian federation can not afford those programs that Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, and Norway(the wealthy countries have)... our national team is built totally on private resources - there could be movies made about their selflessness... And now... from our poor budget, they will receive gratuity - which I ethically don't support, but that is what society is ready to give back to players for their inspiration, and heroism - esp. of their parents. You might remember the phenomena in a real American sport - where a Latvian BMX racer won 2 gold medals in a row. Same story - parents, parents, parents. Love for the sport, no ambitions for the money, but to be the best, though inspired by sports stars from USA and other western countries where the sport is very developed.
Estonia and lithuania then too is struggling in the same way as latvia with hockey right? Only parents and no good hockey teaching programs like in finland and czechia?
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@@dreamthedream8929 Somehow, Estonia and Lithuania are not in hockey - traditionally. Lithuania has only 4 indoor icerinks now. Estonia - 3. So that means, they are not interested even in figure skating.
Even more feel good was the feeling in Tampere. And I don't mean the feeling of beeing with happy fans, but the reception and attitude towards us from other (mostly local) people and fans. They would come up to us and wish us luck before the game and congratulate after it. And many other fans had Latvian flags painted on their cheeks. It felt like the whole world was with us, just magical. And many journalists were also very pro Latvia and pointed out that our team showed what hockey should be about - playing as ONE team, giving everything and with passion and a heart.
Yes, I am Belgian and have been rooting for Latvia since the Olympic games last year ! I do love Latvian culture and language so I might be biased haha. But then again, I was also very happy when Slovakia won their olympic bronze medals (also for the first time in history) !! Same big celebration. Us Belgians don't even have many ice rinks, similar situation; your country is twice as big as ours, but we have 12 million people. But probably same amount of ice rinks. They even closed down an ice rink in my neighbour city because it cost too much to keep it open... I can only hope this will change in the future...
It's funny how long I was watching your videos about NHL and now watching this video about our 🇱🇻LATVIAN🇱🇻 hockey??!!! It's crazy like Biggie said - It was all a dream and if you don't know now you know! SARAUJ!!!!🇱🇻 🇱🇻 🇱🇻
It's a national holiday today in LATVIA. A paid free day. Meaning, you get paid for not coming to work, and you do what ever you want, but most people in the country celebrate the win by going to all kinds of hockey gatherings. There are exceptions, though. Don't be angry at me. Not everyone works 9-to-6, for example, fire departments, you're also heroes!
Very happy for them. The game is growing and it’s great to see. I know for a fact this will inspire many kids in Latvia to play hockey or get into hockey more. You love to see it.
Hopefully the game will continue to grow. Our country is only obsessed with boring ⚽️ 😒 hope young kids will pick up the puck 🏒⛸️🥅 and we get more ice rinks.
Best tournament ever! Enjoyed every second of it! I probabbly have lot more gray hair because all of the stress and cheering, but it was all worth it! Historical moment for Latvian Hockey! Congratulations!!! 🥳
24 rinks in Latvia is a ridiculously low amount (although not that low on per capita basis compared to some other nations), but then again back in 1999 when we were already playing in elite we had like 2 rinks in the country... basically whole hokey generation came from 1 rink in capital city Riga
I watched a video why UK hockey sucks, they compared ice rinks; Toronto as a city ALONE has 110+ rinks, UK has merely 54 in the entire country. I hope the sport will develop more in coming years. Even in my country 🇧🇪 we have almost no ice rinks.
10 extra planes were organised from Riga to Tampere out of usual schedule to let Latvians come and see the game thanks to AirBaltic. Most of fans were driving over the sea 🌊 by cars.
Latvians breathe hockey. We live the game. ❤🎉🏒We have the spirit of hockey more than any other.Canada may be the birthplace of hockey, but Latvia is undoubtedly the birthplace of hockey fans.
we dont need a gold medal (at the moment) - this bronze is more than anything we could dream of. what an unbelievable journey it was. I dont give a puck it's not a gold - weeeeee are the champions my friends
I think USA lost one game before the bronze game, hmm. But great job by Latvia, they came to Finland in a day to the final, some said that there was 8000 of them, including the president.
there was lots of latvians for sure, president of Latvia was there and lots of people rooting for Latvia from other nations. Thank you all supporting and saying nice things about our country, every single one of you - LEGENDS
THIS IS HISTORY FOR US... The best and most amazing that happened in a long time,Fans where in Latvia meeting players like more then 30k people in one place it was huge like the same when we got our independence back...
@@vilnisphoto well then hopefully kazahstan too will get to experience what latvia has and reach the top 3 one day. Felt bad when latvia was doing that to kazahstan in this championship. As far as i can tell they have not been doing that well for many years in hockey championships so hopefully like latvia one day they will rise
@@kvas_hause heroes bring people together which they did. If your definitions of heroes is different keep it to yourself and allow a nation of hockey to be happy
Joy for the bronze medal won by the Latvian national team. It is pleasant to observe that the number of hockey teams that the big hockey teams have to deal with on the field as serious opponents is starting to increase after many years in the tournament organized by the IIHF. In the past, Germany, Latvia, and Switzerland were perceived as the final underdogs who are only fighting to stay in the elite division. Of course, it must be admitted that hockey is still not the most popular team sport in Latvia, because practically the large army of fans is only for the time of the world championship, but during the local championship throughout the season, the local football league far surpasses hockey in terms of attendance. In North America of course NHL, AHL, ECHL etc. is much more popular than the tournaments organized by the IIHF, but in Latvia, on the contrary, the NHL is followed by a very small number of people (at the moment, the most attention is paid to the Las Vegas Golden Knights, because the Latvian forward Teodors Bļugers plays there). I hope that in the future, hockey will become more popular in highly populated European countries, which will most likely bring the popularity of this sport in the world. In recent years, Great Britain is beginning to progress and this is very positive.
At the same time, in my country they got rid of the ice rink in my nearest city because the money to keep it open wasn't coming in. We do have one in the other nearest city, but still... Hopefully that changes in the future.
Let's give some credit to Latvia team main coach maestro Harijs Vītoliņš. It's was his dream to coach Latvian national hockey team and get some big medal and this is The Year he led this team to achieve this goal! it's not the highest goal but one big step forward to the main golden goal. And I still can't get over losing against Canada, it was really possible to win it but Fortune made it all her own way, but still great tournament. 🍻
@@dreamthedream8929 First game was awful, yes, but after first two losses LV team played whole different game winning it all but losing only to Canada being in lead two times in second game vs Canada and then that, whatever the hell that was, goal from goalkeepers helmet. But no doubt about Canada's team, of course they are good, they're always good, but that's not the point.
@@JohnnyBGoode-gh5ip that was a funny goal, from that angle too. It was impossible to aim for the net so probably the player saw an opportunity to bounce it off the helmet there into the net. Swiss team also had a funny goal against latvia when the puck bounced right off into the net from the players feet. The player seemed to laugh about it right after pointing at his feet
That canadian goal was realy creative, artwork of creativity, he was knowing the angles of a puck's movement and when to try to shoot it and shoot it! I liked that one. P.s. and the M. Dzierkals 3'd goal against Kazahstan! That was ridiculous.
As a latvian when Canada beat us I was pretry sad but when I heard that Germany had beaten th US litetally none of us still had hope left that we might get a medal. Never been more happy to be wrong.
Also, as a celebration, the Latvian government declared the following day a holiday. There were some school exams on that day that couldn't be skipped, but still..
As an Latvian.I would say.That the ref in the second game vs canada The ref was like wanting to canada win and they gave canada power play when Latvia didn't deserve it...
Just found out your video! I will give you some history! Latvians were teaching Russians how to play ice hockey after occupation in 1946, yes Russians didn't even knew such game existed. Latvia already were participating in olympics, and world/eu cups
You said USA hadn't lost all tournament before the bronze medal game but USA lost their semi-final to Germany or they wouldn't have been in the bronze medal game.
Congrats Latvia for this great tournament. 0:24 USA hasn't lost before this brancemedal game? I mean they lost against Germany and that's why they're playing the Brancemedal game and not the final. Lol
Latvia is not a small hockey country After +50 years of occupation, Latvia in 1997 ended up in the elite and since then there Belarus, Norway, etc. constantly fly to group B, but not Latvia Latvia is a Big Hockey Country, where hockey is very fond of +Probably few people know that Who teach russians to play hockey with a puck? ... in short, at first the Canadians taught Latvians to play hockey with a puck, and then Latvians taught russians ... Before that, they (russians) played hockey with a ball
World Cup has only a few times in history seen A teams. Many top players are either playing in Stanley Cup playoffs or don't come for other reasons. This wasn't a special year in that sense.
Maybe your are right but US alone based on stats in this video has round half a million male players to select from. Canada's hockey industry is huge, so same point. Latvia has around 25 indoor ice rinks so this alone says the selection of players is very, very limited. For big hockey nations even C or D teams should be well over others, but seems it is not. Guess why? I lived in Canada for few years and have been watching junior hockey games every week as they were playing in the rink we had our hockey games after, and was sincerely impressed on how good these guys were, having great skill and balling like no tomorrow. Where they did disappear if they did not form the depth of your top hockey level, why the depth is not three? The guys I played there in the beer league all went through juniors, but dropped out as competition was there. It's not only about the skill, it is about passion and heart. We have no choice, those guys are the only ones we have, but you have crowds of them (potentially). So this is what makes the difference. Hope this helps!
@@mariskan unfortunately for most US and Canadian hockey fans, the IIHF World Cup is a non-event, whereas for those of us in Europe, it's our Stanley Cup playoffs. The only international competition that matters to them is the Olympics. Same with track and field--the IAAF Worlds are a non-event. The US games in Tampere were among the cheapest ticket prices, and virtually no US fans made the trip.
