Latvia wins its first medal at the World Ice Hockey Championships. The Latvian government and parliament declared a national holiday to celebrate.
Latvia won the bronze medal after defeating the United States 4-3 in the third-place game in the capital city of Riga on Monday. Ice hockey is Latvia’s most popular sport and national sport. However, Latvia has never finished on the podium at an International Ice Hockey Federation event, including the World Championships. Their best finish at the World Championships was seventh place. The first medal became a national highlight.
Shortly after the bronze medal was finalized, Latvian members of parliament donned their national team jerseys to celebrate the victory. The next day, the 30th, was declared a national holiday. Courts, businesses, and schools were closed, except for essential facilities and institutions such as hospitals. “Let us celebrate this joy and strengthen our national pride and bonds,” the Latvian parliament said.스포츠토토
Latvians enjoyed national festivities, and tens of thousands of people gathered in Riga’s Freedom Monument Square to welcome and celebrate the national team.