The USA national team will face Latvia in the match for the bronze medals of the Ice Hockey World Championship. Our sports portal evaluates the teams' chances of success.
USA
In the group stage, the "stars and stripes" won seven victories in seven matches and entered the playoffs from the first place. David Quinn's team beat Finland (4:1), Hungary (7:1), Germany (3:2), Austria (4:1), Denmark (3:0), France (9:0) and Sweden (4:3 OT). In the quarterfinals, the Americans had no problems in the match with the Czech Republic (3-0). But the semifinal game with Germany turned out badly for the USA. The Americans won with a score of 2:0 and 3:2, but eventually lost in overtime — 3:4. Alex Tak, Rocco Grimaldi and Mikael Aissimont scored pucks in their composition.
Latvia
The Latvian national team has become one of the main sensations of the current World Cup. For the first time in history, the team of Hariys Vitolins reached the semifinals, and there they imposed a serious struggle on the Canadians. Latvia led the score twice, but still lost — 2:4. At the group stage, Vitolins' wards took third place. They started with two defeats from Canada (0:6) and Slovakia (1:2), after which they won five in a row. They coped with the Czech Republic (4:3 FROM), Norway (2:1), Slovenia (3:2), Kazakhstan (7:0) and Switzerland (4:3 FROM). In the quarterfinals, Latvian hockey players sensationally sent home the Swedes — 3:1.
Statistics and figures:
- Bookmakers consider the USA the favorites of the match.
- In the last five face—to-face meetings, the Americans have won four victories, the Latvians - one.
- The previous game ended with a score of 4:1 in favor of the USA.
Forecast
I think that the Americans will still celebrate the victory, although the opponent will certainly put up serious resistance. I will bet on the victory of the Americans with a score of 3:1. In my opinion, it is the "stars and stripes" who will leave Tampere with bronze.
