Latvia's floorball team loses to world champions Finland in Three Nations Tournament opener

Latvia's men's national floorball team opened the Three Nations Tournament in Kokkola, Finland, on Friday, 16 October, with a 5:3 defeat (1:1, 1:2, 1:2) against the host nation. Finland are the current world champions, and the tournament also features Sweden's national team. The loss leaves Latvia with a game against the Swedes still to come.

How the game unfolded

Finland went ahead in the second minute through Lūkass Hivarinens. Pēteris Trekše levelled in the fourth minute to make it 1:1, which was the score at the end of the first period. Markuss Markola restored the Finnish lead in the 23rd minute, and Bruno Beķeris equalised for Latvia in the 35th minute, making it 2:2.

The turning point came in the 40th minute. Trekše was in the penalty box at the time, and Finland used the power play to make it 3:2. In the first half of the final period the hosts stretched the lead to 5:2. Trekše scored his second goal 16 seconds before the end of regulation time, but it was not enough to change the result.

Standout players

Trekše, the scorer of two goals, was named Latvia's best player. For Finland the award went to Antti Suomela, who scored the fifth goal. Niko Jonasons and Riku Hakanens each had two assists. Finland had 16 shots to Latvia's 14, and each team received two penalty minutes.

What comes next

Latvia will face Sweden on Saturday, 17 October, at 15:00. On Sunday, 18 October, at 12:30, Finland and Sweden will meet each other.