The Latvian national ice hockey team will participate in the Kaufland Cup in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, from December 11th to 13th – the team’s last tournament before the start of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The national team has three goaltenders, eight defensemen and 13 forwards, including three brothers Roberts, Rihards and Rodžers Bukarts.
The team led by head coach Harijs Vītoliņš will start the tournament on December 11th against the Norwegian national team, while a day later they will play against the hosts, Slovakia. The team is scheduled to have an on-ice training session on Monday and Tuesday before leaving for Slovakia, the Latvian Hockey Federation announced.
In November, at a test tournament in Germany, the Latvian national team lost to the home team and the Slovakian national team , but defeated the Austrian hockey team.
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games will run from February 6th to 22nd, 2026. After the Olympic tournament, in preparation for the 2025 World Championship in Switzerland, the Latvian national team has eight friendly matches scheduled for April and May.
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