Lükonen Calls Up 21 Latvian Floorball Players for Three Nations Tournament in Finland

Latvia's men's national floorball team set off on 14 October for a three-nation friendly tournament in the Finnish city of Kokkola. Head coach Heiki Lūkonens has called up 21 candidates: two goalkeepers and 19 outfield players. It is the first time in the history of the Latvian men's team that a friendly tournament features the two strongest teams in the world, Finland and Sweden, as opponents. The event serves as preparation for the upcoming floorball world championship.

Background

At the previous world championship finals, Latvia knocked Switzerland out of the world's top four and reached fourth place, its best result ever. That performance has raised the level of opposition it now faces. The next world championship finals will take place from 5 to 13 December in Tampere, Finland. Latvia has been drawn into Group A and will open against Norway, Switzerland and Finland.

The squad

Ten of the called-up players play for clubs abroad, in Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and Finland. Among Latvian clubs, five players come from Talsi, two from Kocēni, two from Cēsis, and one each from Valmiera and Ulbroka. The list also includes a player from FBC Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

Lūkonens is assisted by coaches Bengts Lodenius, Henri Luoma and Aigars Belasovs, along with physical conditioning coach Mikus Embrekts.

Schedule

On Friday, 16 October, at 18:00, Latvia plays Finland. On Saturday, 17 October, at 15:00, it faces Sweden. On Sunday, 18 October, at 12:30, Finland and Sweden meet each other.