“The level of the World Cup without the Russian team is not high, but the Latvian team jumped over their heads. It’s a miracle on the ice” – Tambiev

Vladivostok head coach “Admiral” and all-time top scorer Latvia national team hockey Leonid Tambiev told that the Baltic side had performed a miracle on the ice by winning bronze at the 2023 World Championship.

In the match for third place, the Latvian team beat the American team in extra time (4:3) and for the first time in history became the winner of the World Cup.

– It is worth noting the work of the head coach of the national team Harijs Vitolins. The team was very well prepared physically. And that was enough for the whole championship. The Latvian national team was constantly on the move, in struggle, did not sag in martial arts. There was a good minority – the best figure in the World Cup (93.75%). After each game, the right conclusions were drawn. And the sports motivation was very high. This was particularly evident in the final group game against the Swiss national team, when Latvia were forced to win to reach the playoffs – and they did so, confident.

Even if I have a double impression of this World Cup. Of course, without the Russian team, the level is low, very few stars have arrived. At the same time, the Latvian team jumped over their heads. What can I say – well done. There was also a ghostly chance to beat Team Canada in the semi-finals. But if the teams of Germany and Latvia had met in the decisive match, the World Cup would have become a fantasy in general. The ending is like the icing on the cake.

I know half of the guys from the Latvian national team. Someone I played in the youth team, someone played in the “Admiral”. And for me, it’s a pleasant surprise that they shot like that. Now there will be vacations in Latvia. For the country, it’s a miracle on the ice,” Tambiev told .