Playin'

The saturday's game between Russia and Kazakhstan was unbelievably easy: 10-1 for Russian Federation. The Team looked more than confident ,opponents, Kazakhs, looked weak. As simple as that. The fans at the Arena Riga, more than 7 000 of them - looked as usual- amazing. Russian team has plenty of supporters in Riga and we all wish them not less and not more- to win a title of the World Champions in 2006.
Today, at 16-15 p.m. Russia- Belarus, Arena Riga and on TV in Riga's bars and restaurants.

For Danish and Norwegian Fans

Hey guys,

Just want to let you know that I have bought two tickets to Norway- Danmark game (May 9, 16.16, Arena Skonto)and since I will not be able to make it to the game, I am selling two tickets at a lower price. Two tickets- 40 Lvl (each ticket costs 24 Lvl originally) the price is indicated on the tickets, so you may be sure there it is not a speculation or anything similar. The seats are in sector 107, I do not remember the exact seat numbers, as tickets are not in my office, but if you are interested, let me know and all information will be provided.
Please send me an e-mail or SMS + 371 29613971, in case you are interested.


See you all in Riga this week!!!

Sincerely

JK

Ozolinsh quits his career

Foto: www.hockey.lv

Sandis Ozolinsh, a legend that made us fall in love in Latvian hockey, has announced today, that after his NHL 800-th game, he is quitting his hockey career. Sandis is a great team player and with his help, Team Latvia has held some amazing games and victories.
Sandis is planning now to invest in a new golf club in Latvia. He has established the first golf club in Riga, in May 2002.

Just several days to go...

Hello Dear All!

I have not been posting anything for about a year now, which is upsetting, however, I will try to make it up now. I have been writing my Bachelor's Thesis and it took me lonfer than I expected.

Well, first of all, I want to say Thank You, to all who wrote me e-mails and considered my weblog useful. I appreciate your feedback.
The WHC starts in just three days, and Riga is starting to look like a true Hockey Capital. There are posters, adverts, events everywhere around the city, people are buying the last tickets to games. Swiss and danish teams are here already. Me, myself, I am totally excited about Russian forward Ovechkin coming to town. Go Russia!!!

All of you, who are coming to Riga this week- you are lucky as the weather is warm and there is no rain (so far so good).

There will be two opening ceremonies held on May 5. First, during USA-NOR game at 4.15 p.m. and the second one at 20.15 before LAT-CZE game. So, the opening ceremonies will be held at both arenas- Arena Riga and Skonto Halle.

We have been waiting for this for a long time and finally the Champs is about to start.

Good luck everyone!


Sincerely,

JK

Groups for IHWC 2006

Today in Riga Guild, the groups for 2006 Ice Hockey Championship were publicly announced.
Group A:
Czech Republic. Slovenia, Finland, Latvia.
Group B:
Italy, Ukraine, Switzerland, Sweden.
Group C:
Slovakia, Russia, Belarus, Kazahstan.
Group D:
Denmark, Norway, USA, Canada.

The teams were chosen according to the IIHF ratings. Teams were divided into 4 divisions first, and after a draw, the teams for each group, A, B, C or D were picked from each division.
Here are the mentioned divisions:
1. Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
2. Russia, USA, Finland, Switzerland.
3. Latvia, Ukraine, Belarus, Denmark.
4. Kazahstan, Slovenia, Norway, Italy.

The 2005 battle over for Latvia

Definitely, you watched the game. Latvia- Sweden: 1-9.
Such a tremendous score difference was unexpected, really. Team Latvia had a very hard game, and the players were uncomparable to Swedes, who were faster, stronger, more technical and most importantly-more precise.
Irbe, the goalie has a weak place, and it is widely exposed when playing with the team of Sweden. Masalsky, let out later in the third period, did not save the game.
The only goal scored by Latvia was made not by an experienced NHL or Russian league professional, but by a rookie player Ziedinsh.
The next game, I guess, will be the Turin Olympics 2006, where we will see Team Latvia in action, and after that, in the same year 2006, the Ice Hockey World Championship in Latvia will begin.
In 2005 Latvia has finished on the ninth place.

JK

Latvia - Finland

Today, Latvia will have the most important game so far. At 9-15, Latvian time. Latvia will play against Finland and in case of Victory, the way to the next Championship period is open for Latvia.
According to the players they are tuned in for the action and will do anything they can to win over the strong team of Finland.
JK

Qualified

The game on May 5 showed that Latvia is now qualified to continue fighting for a victory in the next group. A victory over Slovenia 3-1 was obvious, however we expected much more.
The opponents of Latvia will first be Ukraine, then Finland and Sweden. Tomorrow, on May 7, the game versus Ukranians will be held in Austria. They, most likely are the weakest of other two hockey pros, but Latvia still needs to fight to smash them down.
The mood of the players is quite optimistic, at least it was so before the USA game, and guys really were tuned in to the fighting spirit, saying that they would fight till the end. Unfortunately, did not happen.
The scandal broke down with the judge, who did not count two obvious goals made by Latvia.
Hope he will be dismissed from the IHWC 2005 from now, after Kirovs Lipmans and Leonids Beresnev have claimed to appeal aginst his judging the game.
Latvia vs. Ukraine Saturday, 7 May 17-15
Latvia vs. Finland Monday, 9 May 21-15
Latvia vs. Sweden Tuesday, 10 May 21-15

Keep Track
JK

Decent start

Today, the second game of Team Latvia will take place in Austria. Team's opponents are not the weakest ones in the Group, but hopefully will be won and conquered today at 9 p.m. Latvian Time.
Latvia-USA had had some past experience. I believe that two games were won by Latvia and one was a tighty, several years ago. Today, the Americans are getting ready for the hard game. Latvia showed Canadians its eagerness to fight and win, sport spirit of Latvians was felt when watching the game. Americans, in their turn will attempt to tune into the spirit of the previous game with Slovenia, which resulted in a dry score of 7-0, in favour of the States.
Two noticeable goalies will oppose each other today: A. Irbe (called The Wall, for his outstanding defence) vs. T. Conklin, who actually was named the best Goalie of the Championship in Prague 2004.
Latvia lost Canada: 4-6
America won to Slovenia: 7-0

IHWC 2005 in Austria begins today!

Today, on April 30, 2005 in Austria, the Ice Hockey World Championship starts. The first games, that will open the Championship are Canada-Latvia, in Innsbruck, and Russia-Austria, in Vienna.
Both games start at 17-15 Latvian time and are expected to be watched by more than 50% of entire Latvian popullation.
Let's support the teams and watch them in action, today.
Welcome to Austria.
Yours
JK

Website

Hey guys! I have discovered that a new official website of the IHWC 2006 was established. Good Job! However, I would do some changes to it, but still, it's comprehensive and nice to visit. Tell me what you think?!How is the logo, guys? I personally think that it is really nothing new, and the one published on my weblog before looked better:)
Well, let's see what will they come up with next....

Flood of fans

Hey, it is official!
The ultimate majority of fans, who will visit the IHWC 2006 in Riga, is expected to be Russians and Finns. Being the next hosts of the IHWC and being the professional in world hockey for ages, Russian fans are expected to travel to Latvia. It is not far, it is not expencive as for instance Sweden may be, and it is almost homeland for many. Finns are known as really active hockey fans, who sing and dance their ritual hockey songs all the time before, during and after the game, and also are expected to arrive in thousands.
In spite of the numerous fans from all over the world, I bet Latvian fans will not let us down, and wil represent as they always did!!!
"We have our own hockey culture and we will show it during the championship, they will all see us and remember us!" Ivan, a very eager hockey fan said:)
Well, lots of time to rehearse, let's do it !!!
Yours
JK

Cheap travel to Latvia

Since the EU joining, Latvia became more accessable for everyone. After such discount companies have entered the local market, like Ryan Air and Easy Jet, it has become cheaper and faster, to get to Latvia.
Every month Air Baltic, a national Latvian air company, also offers major discounts to major European cities: Madrid or Berlin for instance. Want to save more? Order tickets online, it is as easy as it is everywhere in the world. Surely the travelling by bus is widespread. Eurolines and Ecolines, major bus transportation providers in Europe, have great deals to Riga two ways also from major European cities, like London or Paris. Finland has an advantage here, as the ferries from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia, go every 2 hours daily and busses from Tallinn to Riga embark around 6 times a day for the price of around 10 Euro. Swedes? Even better! The new ferry has been launched directly from Riga to Stockholm just recently! I hope and assume that transportation from all around Europe will be more frequent before and during the IHWC 2006.
Russians? Also easy! Train, bus, plane: anything from any city of Russia. Surely those from St. Petersburg are more lucky as they have the least distance to travel!
Americans or Canadians? A little bit more complicated, as it is far away, and kind of pricy, however still possible to get cheaper. You guys know the names of the most popular discounted tickets websites, however try to check some Russian, Ukranian or other immigrant press advertising pages: excellent deals to Latvia, cheaper than Orbitz or Travelocity will offer!!! That is a comment from personal experience, believe me:)!
Good luck folks!
Yours
JK

One more game

According to updates, Team Latvia, before going over to Austria 2005 Championship, will as well have one more game with team Finland, on April 27. The game will take place in Finland town Oulu. Right away after that game, the ultimate team composition will be determined by that date as well.
The pre-championship games of Latvia before the 70-th Ice Hockey World Championship in Riga is not yet known. The closer it gets, the more info will be available, I hope!
Yours
JK

A place to go

Not only Latvia is a country with beautiful landscape and historic old cities.
Most of the tourists that visit Latvia, say that the Latvian cuisine is very distinctive from the other baltic countries', and praise it for being old fashioned and traditionally served and made from ancestors' recipes.
Plenty of travelllers, who visit Riga or other Latvian cities, try our local beer. Latvian beer is a historical drink, like in most Old World countries it is too. One of the first breweries appeared in Latvia in the 16 century. Nowadays the beer market is huge. Latvia has many beer breweries, which export the beer outside over to Europe , USA, Russia. However one of the best beers is served in LIDO, the big old fashioned Latvian cuisine restaurant in Riga, which has their own brewery in it, and serves its guests only the freshest and the best quality strong, special and honey beer made locally. I suggest all who visit Latvia to go and try it there!
Beer is sold also on all hockey games in Latvia. There, you can buy Aldaris, Cesu and other sorts of local draft beer. Russian Baltika beer is also very popular in the country and is widely available.
Beer industry is the one that most benefits from the World Ice Hockey Championship. It is a tradition now in Latvia in many families, to watch the games out in the city bars at the mug of fresh local beer.
It is expected that in 2006 the beer industry will increase sales drastically due to numerous hockey fans, also beer drinkers, who will visit the IHWC in Spring.