The poll was conducted between April 23 and May 1, quizzing 1,006 respondents. The data are representative of Latvian residents aged 18-74 who use the Internet at least once a week.
When asked about the prospects of the Latvian men's ice hockey team at the world championships, the most polled - 42% - predicted the team ranking from 4th to 8th. Not getting to the quarter-finals is expected by 9% of poll participants.
Only 2% of respondents estimate that after last year's bronze awards, Latvia's team will fall out of the world championship elite this time, while 37% of respondents replied that they do not know how the country will succeed in the world championship or whether it is difficult to say.
The ability of Latvian hockey players to win medals is believed most in the group of 18-29-year-old respondents (14%), with 40-49-year-old survey participants (13%) remaining far behind. The ranking of Latvia's national unit from 4th to 8th is expected by 51% of those surveyed aged 30-39.
The World Championships in the Czech Republic will start on May 10, while the Latvian team will start the group tournament on May 11 in Ostrava with a match against Poland. The group's sequel will have to play against France (May 12), Kazakhstan (May 14), Germany (May 15), Sweden (May 18), Slovakia (May 19) and the U.S. national team (May 21). The group's four strongest teams will enter the quarter-finals.
Medal winners at the world championships will be known at the finals in Prague on May 26.
