RIGA – My earliest memory as a child is the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow. I was three years old, caring more about a giant mascot of the games, Misha the Bear, flying up into the sky at the Closing Ceremony then about the United States’ decision to boycott the games because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Politics often takes over sporting events. Boycotts are in the past, but for a country like Latvia, the first hockey match against Russia in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver is as much about politics as it is about the game of hockey. Hockey for Latvians is like a religion, though sometimes, we’re overcome by our religious zeal. People here still talk about a 2000 Russia-Latvia game at the Ice Hockey World Championship in St. Petersburg, Russia. Ten years ago, the tiny Baltic country beat its former overlord and the all-star team.
“We are a small country, but we are tough. We have proven that over the centuries. We still exist.”
“I have the same feelings that I had 10 years ago when we stood on the barricades and pulled for independence. That was fantastic, and I think most people now have the same feelings,” people said at the time.
The inferiority complex would suffer a major blow if Latvia wins. Latvia’s victory over Russia could render Latvians incapacitated to mope in their own sorrow. Statistically speaking, Latvia is not doing too badly. The two teams met five times on major tournaments. Russia won 3 games; Latvia won two. In the last two games, Russia crushed Latvia with scores approaching double-digits. Most recently, Russia beat Latvia 6-1 at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Bern, Switzerland.
Now perhaps it could turn the same, if Latvia wins. If it doesn’t, Riga might turn into a loud chorus of “Rossiya, Rossiya.”
French goalkeeper Fabrice Lhenry looks dejected after his team lost at the end of his Group E qualification round game versus Latvia at the 2009 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships on May 2, 2009 in Bern. Latvia won 7-1. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI
