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.
WFC 2018 in facts and figures – 10.1.2019
Data Analysis: WFC Summary – 12.12.2018
Data Analysis: WFC Summary – 12.12.2018
Data Analysis: Finland vs Sweden 6:3 – 12.12.2018
Data Analysis: Sweden vs Switzerland 5:4 ps. – 11.12.2018
Data Analysis: Czechia vs Switzerland 2-4 – 11.12.2018
Final Day of WFC: Gold Goes to Finland, Silver to Sweden, Switzerland Takes Bronze, Czechs Again without Medal – 9.12.2018
Pascal Meier is the MVP of WFC 2018 – 9.12.2018
WFC 2018 All Star Team – 9.12.2018
Finland Beats Sweden 6:3 to Defend World Champions Title – 9.12.2018
Switzerland Overcomes Czech Republic to Win Bronze Medals – 9.12.2018
Another spectator record broken! – 9.12.2018
Data Analysis: Czech Republic vs Finland 2-7 – 9.12.2018
Latvia Beats Germany to Earn 5th Spot – 9.12.2018
Norway Again Outplays Denmark to Finish in 7th Place – 9.12.2018
DAY 9: Grand Finale Is Here! New Champions to Be Crowned Today! – 9.12.2018
Day 8 Summary: Sweden and Finland in Final Again, Switzerland and Czech Republic to Play for Bronze – 9.12.2018
Sweden Becomes Second Finalist after Thrilling Shoot-out Win – 8.12.2018
Finland Defeats Czech Republic Thanks to Brilliant Scoring Efficiency – 8.12.2018
Germany Beats Denmark 4-2 to Fight for 5th Place Tomorrow – 8.12.2018