The youth team lost to the Czechs in the match for third place in the group 0 7

In the quarterfinals, the Latvian national team will face the team from Sweden.

For the Latvian team, goals were scored by Kristers Ansons and Markus Sieradzki, with two assists from Bruno Osmanis. The best player of the match for the Latvian team was recognized as defenseman Mārtiņš Vītols.

Nils Robert Mauriņš saved 25 out of 28 shots on goal, with another goal scored by the Czechs into an empty net. The Latvian hockey players made 10 shots on the opponent's goal.

In Group B, Canada and the Czech Republic both earned eight points after three and four matches respectively, Finland has seven points from three games, Latvia earned four points in four matches, and Denmark remains without points.

At the beginning of the match, after a foul against Daniēls Serkins, the Latvian team received their first opportunity to play with a man advantage. In the sixth minute, Ansons capitalized on this advantage, knocking the puck into the net after a shot from Osmanis.

KRISTERS ANSONS GIVES LATVIA THE EARLY 1-0 LEAD ON THE POWER PLAY! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/1Ey2CyY6oz

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 31, 2025

In the middle of the first period, Tomáš Poleťin equalized, knocking the puck into the net. 75 seconds later, Adam Iržiček scored with a powerful shot during a power play, putting the Czechs ahead. Soon, Mārtiņš Klaučāns had a great opportunity to equalize after an individual run but hit the post.

In the third minute of the second period, after a shot from Maks Pšenickis, the puck deflected off Hāris Cūnski into the Latvian net — 1:3. In the second half of the period, the Latvian hockey players, playing shorthanded, did not allow the Czechs to increase their lead.

In the first half of the third period, the Latvians played with a man advantage twice and converted one of their attempts. In the seventh minute of the period, Sieradzki scored with a shot from a sharp angle — 2:3.

Markuss Sieradzkis with a beauty on the power play 🤩

Latvia is down by 1 in the third 👀 #WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/72No1bLyZ0

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 31, 2025

In the final minutes of regulation, the Latvian goalkeeper was replaced by a sixth skater, but 77 seconds before the final buzzer, Václav Nečas sent the puck into the empty net — 2:4.

In this match, the Latvian team was unable to be helped by defenseman Dāreļs Uļjanskis.

In their first match of the tournament, the Latvians lost to Canada in overtime 1:2, then suffered a defeat to Finland 0:8, and on Tuesday defeated Denmark 6:3, securing a place in the quarterfinals.

The Czechs started the tournament with a loss to Canada (5:7), then defeated Denmark (7:2) and won against Finland in overtime (2:1).

In Group A, Sweden, the USA, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany are competing.

The top four teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, while the teams finishing in fifth place will play a match to retain their spot in the top division. Next year, the youth team of Norway will return to the elite.

Preliminary round ☑️ #WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/xrwEfxYDJ8

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 1, 2026

In preparation for the tournament, the Latvian national team played two exhibition matches in Minnesota — losing to the Czech Republic U-20 2:3 and to Slovakia 1:3.

The Latvian U-20 national team has been competing in the elite division for the fifth consecutive year. In three of the four previous tournaments, the team reached the quarterfinals, and in 2023 fought to retain their place in the elite. In the last championship, the Latvians lost to their peers from Sweden in the quarterfinals 2:3.