Games between Latvia and the Czech Republic are often tight, but still this result was unexpected. Just like in Zurich in 2012 where the Czech Republic lost against Latvia 4-5. The Latvian defender Morics Krumins scored twice, while on the other side only two players were in charge of all Czech goals – Tom Ondrušek (2+1) and Adam Delong (1+2).
Tom Ondrušek opened the score at 3:38 and it seemed that Czechs have forgotten their unconvincing performance from the opening day. But that wasn’t the case. The Latvians played really well and it was an absolutely balanced match for the first two periods. At the beginning of the second period Latvia turned the score with two Krumins’ goals and went into a 2-1 lead.
In the 32nd minute Bitmanis netted the third Latvian goal and surprised all fans in the O2 Arena. And it was a well-deserved two-goal lead because Latvia had a lot of scoring chances. The Czechs managed to reduce Latvia’s lead with Delong’s goal shortly before second intermission. The pace of the game changed in the last period. The Latvians focused on defense and the Czech team controlled the ball for most of the time. At 42:47 the Czech duo Ondrušek-Delong tied the game at 3-3, Ondrušek scoring his second goal and Delong posting his second assist of the night.
It seems Latvia is Tom Ondrušek’s favorite opponent – at the WFC in Riga two years ago he also recorded three points (2+1) in the 9-3 victory. But this time his effort was not sufficient. Exactly one minute later Atis Stepans scored from a quick counter-attack and the Latvians were up by a goal again. He was assisted by the 35-year-old Latvian legend and all-time scoring leader Atis Blinds. Despite a huge domination in the rest of the match the Czechs were not able to score the much wanted equalizer and lost 3-4.
DAY 4: Group Stage Culminating, Czech Republic to Face Switzerland – 4.12.2018
Germany Saves Czechs by Beating Latvia, Nordic Powers Post Convincing Wins – 4.12.2018
Sweden Dominates Norway to Get Easy 9-1 Win – 3.12.2018
Estonia Beats Thailand 11-4 to End Group Stage Unbeaten – 3.12.2018
Great First Period Secures First Victory for Finland – 3.12.2018
Great Defense Gives Australia First Tournament Win over Poland – 3.12.2018
Data Analysis: Latvia vs Czech Republic 4:3 – 3.12.2018
Impressive Third Period Pushes Germany to First Win in Prague – 3.12.2018
Zubir‘s Two Goals Help Singapore Beat Japan in Front of 6,341 Spectators – 3.12.2018
Data Analysis: Finland vs Sweden 4:5 – 3.12.2018
DAY 3: Program Starts with Asian Battle, Fans to See Two Nordic Derbies – 3.12.2018
Latvia Stuns the Hosts, Slovakia and Switzerland on Scoring Surge – 3.12.2018
Estonia Wins Evening Thriller in Arena Sparta – 2.12.2018
First Tournament Surprise as Latvia Beats Czech Republic 4-3 – 2.12.2018
Battle between Canada and Singapore Ends in First Tournament Draw – 2.12.2018
Switzerland Outclasses Germany 13-1, Känzig Scores Four Goals – 2.12.2018
Japan Enters Tournament with 1-15 Loss against Slovakia – 2.12.2018
Norway Turns Score to Get First Tournament Win – 2.12.2018
Data Analysis: Germany vs Czech Republic 5:10 – 2.12.2018
DAY 2: Twelve Teams in Action, Czechs to Face Latvia – 2.12.2018