Latvia organized a big surprise.
Artis Abols led Latvia to a big victory. EPA / AOP
Latvia sprung a big surprise in the Young Lions group when they beat Germany 6-2.
Latvia pushed Germany into the jumbo group. It means that if Germany doesn’t manage to squeeze points from Canada, it will have to play in the qualifying match. The loser of the qualifying match is relegated to the B series. Finland is likely to be third in Group A.
Latvia did not score a goal in the first three preliminary group matches, but scored three goals against Germany in the opening round.
Eriks Mateiko gave Latvia a 1–0 lead after just over two minutes of the match had been played. More came on either side of the middle of the set when first Rodgers Bukarts managed to score and a few minutes later Peter Bulans completed the 3–0 lead goal.
Germany got within two goals in the second period by Samuel Schindler by hitting The goal, however, was little consolation, because Rainers Dārziņš gave Latvia a 4–1 lead. Sandis Vilmanis scored a 5–1 lead at the end of the set.
Germany was able to start the final set with superiority, but the team’s playing continued to be of poor quality. Latvia was able to create the most dangerous scoring opportunity when Darzins escaped with an underpowered drive through. However, the Latvian striker did not succeed in scoring.
A moment later, Germany Luca Hauf the horrendous mistake became expensive. Latvia caught Hauf’s weak pass and took a 6–1 lead. The goal was completed by Vilmanis.
Defender of Germany Norwin Panocha scored another 2-6 narrowing goal, but in the end it was a thin consolation.
Germany received more bad news at the end of the match, when the team’s most important attackers Veit Oswald got sent off. Oswald tackled the Latvian captain from behind Dans Locmelis. Oswald may still face consequences for his tackle.
Latvia had lost the previous matches 0–6, 0–10 and 0–4.