Two in a row for Finland

RIGA - Latvia lost two friendly floorball matches against the former world champions, Finland, who showed there is still a lot to learn for the Latvians.

In Bauska on March 24 Finland won the first game convincingly with a score of 8-1. Before the second game on the following day, Latvia's coach, Urban Nilsson from Sweden, made changes in the Latvian line up, letting quite a few youngsters go out and play.

"It is very good that the young players are doing well. The youngest one today I think is only 16. That is a good sign for the future," he said after the game.

You could almost smell the adrenaline when the players, Latvia in white and Finland in blue, lined up for the national anthems.

The Finns, however, needed only one minute and six seconds to take the lead. In the first quarter, the Latvian players were chasing the ball, trailing by two goals, and showing much respect for the former champions. Then Latvia went into a higher gear and managed to score twice in six seconds, giving the spectators a glimpse of hope, finishing the first period in a draw.

In the second period things went down hill for the Latvians missing a few chances to get back in the game. The Finnish goal keeper made some really incredible saves, discouraging the Latvians, leading the Finns to an easy 5-2 advantage when the period was over. In the last, one could sit back and watch the Finns let it loose. They even scored in the very last second of the match, making it 8-2 for the visitors.

"We never had a chance, but I feel good," said a sweaty Oskars Stepins playing for Latvia. He is really looking forward to the world championship in Norway in May this year.

"I have trained really hard and I hope I get to go," he said gasping for air.

Urban Nilsson was very optimistic after the game.

"We played the best floorball we can play at this stage. We mustn't forget that Finland is 15 years ahead of us, but it would be stupid to try and stress something out of our team. It won't lead anywhere," he said.

Janis Kivkulis, president of Latvia's Floorball Federation, met Nilsson in Sweden 1995 and asked if Nilsson would be interested in coaching Latvia's national team. Nilsson accepted, the two shook hands, and since then Nilsson has visited Latvia three to five times per year.

"It is very inspiring to work with this team. We are making big progress. I think we showed that when we won the B - world championship in 1998. Now we just don't want to come dead last so we can stay in the A - championship and I hope it will be the last time we will have that goal," said Urban Nilsson.

Latvia is facing a real challenge since they will have to play Denmark, Norway and Sweden, who are all in the same group.

Kivkulis was not as modest saying Latvia will reach the quarter final, beating the reigning world champions, Sweden, 3 - 2 after overtime.

There will be two more friendly matches against the Finns in a month, played in Finland, giving the Finns a slight advantage, since the crowd will be on their side. It will be another chance for Nilsson to see who he will select for the final national team to fight to stay in the highest championship or, if really successful, compete for the gold in Norway.