Hosts get losing start in World Floorball Championships

After falling to the tournament favorites Sweden 2:7 on December 3, Latvia were mauled by the Czechs a day later, eventually losing 3:9 despite the best efforts of a partisan home crowd.

By the end of the first period, Latvia were already 1:6 down and despite improving, no miracle comeback was ever going to happen against a well-drilled Czech team.

The two losses mean Latvia is unlikely to qualify from the group stage to the knockout section of the week-long tournament, though a final group game against Norway on December 6 will offer a last-ditch opportunity for Latvia's players to show what they are capable of.

However, Latvia did manage something to be proud of with more than 8,000 people turning out for the opening game of the championships - a new record in floorballing history!