2025 World Junior Championship Quarterfinal Highlights: Sweden vs Latvia

[@JustaMountainbiker]

Great performance by Latvia but holy shit they were out played. Goaltender had a hell of a game. 8-2 any other day.

[@MSeraph]

they were not outplayed the referees made a really bad call. Shouldve been 2-2 and OT

[@dominicpenner5084]

Sweden earned the win, but what a journey for Latvia. Mateiko was outstanding at both ends, Feldbergs could easily be the tournament's best goalie, and the whole team played the game the way it should be played, as a team. Greetings from Finland, the future of hockey in Latvia looks bright!

[@ЗВЕРОБОЙ-л6к]

Like in finland. finland used to be outsiders just as latvia only for few years ago, but you see them being better lately

[@silmupelaa6349]

​@@ЗВЕРОБОЙ-л6кFew years ago huh?? Finland won 2014, 2016 and 2019. 2 years ago in final...

[@philt77]

very good, very lucky too 3 times he does know if he saved the puck and som play it when under him away to the other side. But he was good too. Swedes had total domination, puck possession 95% for 60 min it looked like. Swedes goalie not so good, but if you standing still a whole game it impossible not to get cold and blasé

[@jrgenmidtsianjohnsen4241]

@@ЗВЕРОБОЙ-л6кFinland is one of the big hockey nations in my opinion always has been. The big 6 hockey nations are Canada, Russia, USA, Sweden, Czechia and Finland

[@alekseymiluk3098]

@ЗВЕРОБОЙ . Насчёт "Финляндия аутсайдер" ты явно ошибся ! У Финляндии всегда была одна из лучших хоккейных школ,которая из года в год выдаёт игроков мирового уровня,чего не скажешь о Латвии! Но будем надеятся хоккейная школа Латвии тоже к этому движется!

[@habibbalbino8968]

What a game huh. Congrats to sweden you guys deserved this one for sure but the battle and tenacity of this Latvia team during the entire tournament was really special very excited about the future of these young fellas

[@TheLegends86]

Ref kinda gave it to them missed called leads to a goal and then another right after when it should have been a pp for Latvia

[@TheDaar97]

Bro sweden smoked latvia anyways. Latvia should be greateful for the 2 goals they even got cause it didnt reflect the game.

[@NIGHTLV6]

@@TheDaar97 how is that smoking someone with score 3:2?? You Swedish people are getting really easy to hate.

[@kenneththorberg6914]

@@NIGHTLV6 Hate as much as you like , nobody cares. It´s a bloody hockey game and if you can´t handle that the Swedish team outplayed your guys ; pity you.

[@suomiprkle]

@@NIGHTLV6 The shots were like 50 to 10

[@ViktoriaTabermanBradford1]

Swede here. What a nerve-wrecking 3rd period, and what an effort by Feldberg! I'm glad we won as we dominated.

[@oldrichwenke4737]

Vše rozhodl první unfair gól Švédů! Nejraději bych ty Švédy,kteří byli v tu chvíli na ledě, bestiálně podříznul nebo vykuchal!!!!

[@Editz7Footz]

Congrats sweden And I cant wait to see Mateiko and Feldbergs At the world championship at may!!

[@Sagosmurfen]

Holy crap Feldbergs...

[@Mandalor10]

Latvia has nothing to be ashamed about. Those boys faught hard until the bitter end.

[@tallesttreeintheforest]

insane game progression, the swedish dominance, feldberg making saves.. this game was a flukey point shot of going to overtime. no question the better team won. but it was pretty incredible watching latvia giving themselves a chance with the first goal coming when the shots were 29-3.

[@scottsderbygarage]

Latvia very impressive and entertaining to watch this year. Hopefully Canada can take some notes for next year lol.

[@RTS_Fleur]

As a canadian I can say I was cheering way more for the latvians than the joke that is team Canada.

[@vviewerv915]

Latvia outperformed themself this year! Congratulations to Sweden! 🇱🇻✌️🇸🇪

[@ЗВЕРОБОЙ-л6к]

Ain't it going home again?

[@Sencess]

Respect to Latvia for the solid effort.

[@joesnare]

Congrats on the 2 Latvian goals by Capitals prospect #9 Eriks Mateiko Congrats to team Sweden on the win

[@lindqvistelias]

Latvian goalie is a beast, well played!

[@hockey_rules]

Our Canadian forwards could learn from Latvia - even being outshot by so much what few shots they had they capitalized on.

[@DrPolSc]

For those unfamiliar with Latvian ice hockey, here’s a short explanation of why this was a great performance from the team. Latvia is always the underdog playing on the elite stage against big countries with much larger talent pools and more money going into the sport. That leaves them at a disadvantage, and on the ice it looks like it did: if there’s a stronger team with more early talent (I believe SWE had some NHLers) vs Latvia that needed to draft several 16 yo guys just to play at the u20 championship, it will look like one side is defending and usually not in control of the puck. That’s why other people here are saying that the shots on goal statistic doesn’t matter. And although of course it would be preferred to have more shots on goal, it is in fact the final score on the board that dictates the winner. And the final score couldn’t have been closer. Latvia’s style of play not by choice but by necessity is to OUTLAST their opponent. Two things need to be present to achieve this: a solid goalie which it seems the Latvian program is somehow generating more of every year (thanks Irbe); and for the other players to capitalize on every single little chance they get at the goal. If those two things coincide, you can even win a medal as the Latvian men’s team showed a couple years ago. If not - the result will be low-scoring and many goals against. But if they do survive and drag it into OT, it seems Latvians have an advantage due to them having more experience at this point. Playing in less-than-5-on-ice is turning into a specialty that Latvians have a chance to practice more of: because of penalties during games and also the sheer number of OT plays. So that’s why it’s important for them to just keep up with the stronger opponent until OT if possible and if winning straight up in the regular is not an option. They have to wait it out - sure, early goals are great but once the other team starts making mistakes due to overconfidence or just by getting tired from all that puck control and shots on goal that usually lead to nowhere, that’s when a disadvantaged team can strike. And believe me, it certainly takes a lot of courage, discipline and sheer willpower for a team to execute this strategy. They did it successfully against Canada, and almost managed to pull it off again here against Sweden. So by conventional metrics - yes, Sweden was the better team, and yes, Sweden dominated. But… why then did they almost lose? I see Swedes commenting here attribute it to issues with their organization. But guys, your team rocks, it’s very talented and one of the best in this tournament! Let’s instead appreciate team Latvia’s achievements, talent and unique strategy to get as far as they have while being at a disadvantage almost in every game.

[@matsinilsson9578]

Nobody is taking anything away from the performances of any nation, except Swedes can indeed complain about their own team and the state of its nation. These kids have been playing subpar since the beginning of the tournament and is also showing immense weakness when it comes to facing North American teams. I blame it on the new, lazy social media generation and wimpy parenting. Don't expect us to not complain at our team. The only thing that matters with the kind of history that Sweden has is gold and always gold. If they don't win gold they can take the boat home and peel potatoes to pay for the trip.

[@DrPolSc]

@ yikes.. lots to untangle there.. I kind of understand where you’re coming from but disagree. I can’t comment on the specific circumstances of being a U20 player in Sweden but I doubt it’s much different than the situation in any other country participating in the tournament, no? Second, they literally had a flawless group stage, won every game with a 24:10 goal ratio. How is that subpar? And setting expectations that it’s only gold or “peeling potatoes” is frankly ridiculous. Yes, Sweden has been strong at times, and is always playing at a very high level. But your talent pool is only 10M people, a lot less than Canada or USA. There will be years when the team just can’t perform the way previous generations could. And frankly, that sort of “only gold matters” approach might be the very reason SWE usually is stuck with silver or less. You should be proud and supportive of your team’s performance, whatever the result, especially at the junior level. That’s whan being a fan is: supporting the team through thick and thin. Your approach just creates unnecessary pressure and will bring in worse results as a consequence. I hope that’s not how Swedish society in general views this.

[@matsinilsson9578]

@@DrPolSc Buddy: 1. The Nordics are fans of winning first and foremost and doing whatever it takes to win but the right way. Joy also comes first but not at the expense of winning. If you take a look at Olympic gold medals per capita in both summer and winter sports you will understand why we have high standards. Don't ask us to lower them. 2. Also, we n.e.v.e.r. lie. We are honest. For example, do you know why we don't have fat people in the Nordics? Beyond just taking the bike and eating healthy that is. Because we fat shame. Honesty. Not pussy-footing. Bottomline is this: MEDALS PER CAPITA and yes, we should have high standards! 3. Lastly, don't be too hard on the Canadian team. They played great and to their capacity. Sweden has not and did not. Potato peeling and boat. That is what they deserve.

[@DavidRJones82]

Hey, Latvia... we fucking see you! Excellent play!

[@bruhdude6712]

So happy I made the Maleiko fantasy card😂

[@KS__99]

As a Swede Heldberg gave me headaches. Sweden got a gift goal at the beginning. Hats off the Latvia what a tournament showing

[@philt77]

Gift? Look att replay. Latvian player backing into a player, No penalty

[@KS__99]

@ I’m not complaining I’m rooting for Sweden

[@vmsstar5477]

Unless Latvia challenges the decision, there's not much the referees can do because none of them saw the tackle/hit

[@bandava]

It was not a single case. Check previous games - penalties was not seen by referees even it happened next to them. But it is what it is ...

[@ritvarsberzins9426]

It seemed like the coach was willing to challenege the goal, so it is more about what can or cannot be challenged.

[@philt77]

Look att replay. Latvian player backing into a player, No penalty for you if you skating into a person

[@einher1]

Can the coach even challenge on decisions like this? I hope the refs just didn't see it, because it was a nasty, clearly intentional hit to the head. The Latvian was skating backwards, and the rat seized the opportunity. A classic case actually.

[@MCEdziits]

Best underdogs by far. Mazs cinītis gāž lielu vecumu

[@zwenz365]

Get Feldbergs a contract for cryin out loud

[@tbwright7304]

🇨🇦 will blow the game against CZE.

[@Jytaani]

😂😂 3-1 end of first period

[@RalfsEriks]

its just sad to wach 😂​@@Jytaani

[@Jytaani]

@@RalfsEriks 3-2 so it's not over for Canada yet but I am really hoping that Czech wins.

[@razzey3367]

Adios amigo 🤪

[@borano2031]

That didn´t age very well, did it?? Rgr

[@headshotfisken104]

This commentator has no clue what he is talking about. the incident before the first goal the latvian player changes direction last second, none of them saw the other but if he didnt make that turn last second they wouldnt collide, the swede couldnt really do anything there. Anyways it was a nice game and Latvia did really good the entire tournament, and what an insane goaltender they have!

[@shades5333]

Since when it's okay to target the head of an opponent without the puck on open ice? Interference or game misconduct, that first goal should come back and Latvia put on PP. It's suddenly a completely different game. Refs were really poor.

[@arvismile]

Exactly my thoughts

[@kennyg1358]

They'll review an offside but not a play like that. It makes no sense.

[@kvassman_]

Canadian ref👀 somebody a bit butthurt mby😂😂

[@dumbo701]

its not a different game.. its 50 shots to 13, no matter how you twist and turn one opportunity sweden would win this.

[@kenneththorberg6914]

@@kennyg1358 That´s because the offside was challenged by Latvia but not the collision , for some reason. Swedish TV interviewed the Latvian captain after the game and even he said that it was nothing to talk about.

[@MichaelRoff]

The first goal was interference clearly. If that guy never got hit that would have prevented a goal and possibly Latvia upsetting Sweden.

[@perm9352]

Sorry, but the Latvian player changed his direction and backed in to the Swede, who had his eyes on the puck...

[@JustaMountainbiker]

Thats not interference, its a collision. Latvian player shifts direction and is just as responsible for the contact.

[@RobertssU]

hell no

[@headshotfisken104]

finally someone with common sense

[@andreipetrenko2422]

You obviously know nothing about hockey (as per TSN). A collision is when a Canadian player repeatedly rams into a non-Canadian player's knee. If a non-Canadian player does the same to a Canadian one - that's five and game. The episode you're referring to (seeing as it happened in a game between two European teams) is called depending on which decision makes Hockey Canada look less full of seagull droppings.

[@robertslorups4539]

Latvia

[@perm9352]

Latvia fought hard and did it well but had two lucky goals, Sweden was a lot better though and should have closed the game much earlier... (Btw I don´t think it was an interference, none of the players actually saw each other, just bad luck if you catch it frame by frame).

[@axuli99]

That missed interference call was bad

[@brooksbfh]

and feldbergs isn't drafted, what a miss

[@Quole1234]

Sweden will make it to the gold medal game and then lose like they always do lol.

[@whateverpbk]

Not this time we will beat the US

[@Expertcouch.]

А что там произошло? Почему латвиец упал?

[@arvismile]

Пересмотри 1:09 в правом верхнем углу

[@smithbarney8164]

The IIHF needs to incorporate a replay team of Officials to Review all Major Called Penalties. The Classic example of this Officiateting error just happened to night re Canada/ Chez. Neither Ref should be considered fir further International Games With respect to Canada. It us obvious Hockey Canada needs a deeper Overhaul !

[@sa21dlinusandersson41]

Complete brainrot by the swedish coach putting the worse goalie in net for the playoffs

[@erikhermansson6028]

Thelin is best golie Sweden have in the team

[@MelinaJamiee]

The Latvian goalkeeper was insanely good, wish he had a better team, Sweden had a better team but worse goalkeeper. Sweden won cause they didn’t let Latvia have the puck in the 3rd round, Sweden should had won at more goals given how many chances they had. Wish Latvia would have played another team. 😅

[@philt77]

Well that was a weird game. Looked like a power play for 50 minutes. First goal, no penalty. In some replays you see latvianplayer backing into a player.If you skating into another player you will not getting a penalty with you.

[@borano2031]

Look at the interference in the Latvian zone just before their first score, just after the face off... Rgr

[@AKAKATTACK_YT]

Ref screwed Latvia with the first goal; latvia deserves better!

[@erikhermansson6028]

Because he is from Canada and wanted the underdog win always when underdogs play people from Canada wants underdogs to win i am from Sweden and in going to looking on Swedens match against Finnish sisu tonight front of my tv with beer and snacks. And knowing that Sweden playing for medals and are much better than Canada this year also like last year.

[@erikhermansson6028]

I am from Sweden

[@MrInvincibleTheOfficial]

If that germany player wouldn't hit latvian player Osmanis in the eye, he would be on ice and we could've pulled a tie. Lost cuz of a german player. 😭

[@thomasburke7995]

SWEDISH alomst lost that one.

[@borano2031]

Everybody alomst lose... Rgr

[@ragaw3212]

Wow well played refs for winning game for sweden. These refs are trying to make sweden win whole tournament. Latvia got this game stolen with that allowed first goal.

[@borano2031]

Watch it again... Rgr

[@matsforsberg6287]

They collided at 1-0. Open your eyes. Or are u a basket boll referator?

[@peo9180]

Old news this game - KZbin shame on you

[@The.nib69]

What a disaster first goal for the swedes. Shameful reffing lol. No room for dirty play like that

[@ddd123-v3d]

You can clearly see the Latvian player changing direction turning in to the Swede. Unfortunate

[@Banzaci]

Sweden vs goaltendef

[@Evan-hockputer]

Oh how the Mighty Latvia has fallen. Sorry, not sorry.

[@aronjohansson5294]

Least salty canadian🤣🤣🤣

[@laucknessm]

Canada would've got 5 and a game for that interference

[@kenneththorberg6914]

Maybe , and if that would be the case then Kharma finally catched up to you. I have watched hockey since mid-seventies and has seen the ugly face of Canada controlling international hockey , making sure to give themselves all the advantages possible in order to win. I have nothing but despise for the Canadian national team since then.

[@hampusjohansson-s7o]

Lol, keep telling yourself that. Canada have had it's separate rule-book for decades.

[@philt77]

Look att replay. Latvian player backing into a player, No penalty. No interference. Yeah Canadian teams never get the calls hahahaha. Have you any idea what it is to play Canada? Fire alarms and no showers, no heating for Canadas opponents yeah it is horrendous being Canadian

[@philt77]

@@kenneththorberg6914 yeah truth every nation teams can testify to those ugly shi. t. But few Canadians will agree, Blind eye.

[@dillonpaul8404]

This game should have been 3-2 for Latvia if only was overturned

[@TheDaar97]

Lmao latvia was dominated all game. You should be happy you even got 2 goals. Another day and ots 8-1 to sweden

[@philt77]

OK

[@philt77]

@@TheDaar97 never mind he is trolling