10.04.2014 |

Latvia steamrolled through qualifying stage

The European part of the qualifying stage had a clear winner. Latvia, another country where inline hockey is looking for a way to get as much attention as ice hockey, gave other teams no chance and steamrolled through the competition.

The Baltic country of Latvia will replace Bulgaria in the division, the team that failed to hang on to their place among the top sixteen last year in Dresden, Germany. The qualifying stage took place in Passau, Germany, last August and Latvia had to face Macedonia and Ireland.

Latvia proved that they are on a different level than their opponence. First they beat Macedonia 35-1 and then proceeded to lock up the advance to the elite division with a 14-0 win over Ireland. Arturs Batraks and Viesturs Cimermanis led their team in scoring with seven goals each.

There is no surprise coming with Latvian success as all of the players on the team are ice hockey players from the top Latvian league. We´ll see if the team can leave a mark on the results and become one of the contenders to advance to the top division.

There is no scheduled game.