The Danish tale continues: The newcomer to the Olympics defeated the Latvians and advanced to the quarterfinals – Športky.sk

BEIJING – Danish hockey players advance to the quarterfinals of the Beijing Olympics. In Tuesday’s qualifying match, they defeated Latvia 3: 2. The Danish, who are new to the Olympic tournament, will have a team from the Russian Olympic Committee in the quarterfinals.

Olympic Games 2022 in Beijing – hockey – qualification to advance to the quarterfinals:

Denmark – Latvia 3: 2 (1: 1, 1: 1, 1: 0)

Goals: 13. Poulsen (Jakobsen, M. Lassen), 37. Jakobsen (Meyer), 42. M. Lauridsen (Bödker, Nielsen) – 17. Darzins (Krastenbergs, Cibulskis), 23. Darzins (Balinskis, Krastenbergs). Judges: Bruggeman (USA), Schrader (DEU) – McCrank (CAN), Sišlo (RUS), disqualification: 4: 4 for 2 min, power-ups: 1: 0, weakening: 0: 0, 726 spectators.

Denmark: Dahm – Kristensen, O. Lauridsen, Lassen, M. Lauridsen, Nich. Jensen, O. Larsen, Bruggisser – Nic. Jensen, F. Nielsen, Bödker – Russell, Regin, Storm – Bau Hansen, Madsen, Meyer – Aagaard, Jakobsen, Poulsen

Latvia: Kalnins (8. Punnenovs) – Cibulskis, Freibergs, Jaks, Mamčics, Žile, Balinskis, Ozols, Kulda – Krastenbergs, Abols, Keninš – Daugavinš, Ďereršš, Darzinš – Indrašis, Smirnovs, Jelisejevs

From the opening minutes, the game was played at a fast pace and both teams could be seen striving for a quick goal. However, the teams also paid attention to the defense and the goals scored were minimal. The Danes took the lead when Poulsen came close to Jakobsen’s shot – 1: 0. Shortly afterwards, the Latvians defended the weakening and equalized in the 17th minute, when Krastenbergs pushed out the insensely defended Darzins – 1: 1.

The Latvians used their first power play when Darzins overcame Dahma for the second time – 1: 2. They did not increase their lead in two promising chances and in the 37th minute the defender Jakobsen equalized – 2: 2.

An important moment came at the beginning of the third period, when the two-goal scorer Darzinš fouled and used the Danish power play with a shot from the blue line by Markus Lauridsen – 3: 2. The Danes did not withdraw on the defensive, even balanced hockey continued to be played with chances on both sides. The Latvians tried to step up the pace, but the attentive goalkeeper Dahm thwarted several of the opponent’s goal opportunities. In the end, the Latvians also got to play with six players, but without a goal effect.

votes (source: IIHF):

Heinz Ehlers, coach of Denmark: “Our goalkeeper Dahm was a difference player, he played a key role today. We were not as good in the match as we wanted to be, but the goalkeeper’s performance helped us a lot to win. Latvia played really well and it was a difficult match for us.”

Frans Nielsen, forward of Denmark: “We’ve come a long way since we were in the top division of the IIHF World Championships. It’s an amazing journey, we’re constantly moving forward. No one is a favorite at this stage of the tournament, anyone can go to the finals. We were convinced of that four years ago. to be successful. We have nothing to lose against the ROC, so I’m sure we will come forward with great determination. “

Lauris Darzins, scorer of both goals in Latvia: “It is clear that if you want to be successful, you have to score goals. We led 2: 1 and we had enough chances to score more goals and lead to victory. We did not use them and therefore we have already finished in the tournament. We are at the Olympics and this is an important event for each of us. We wanted to succeed and we did everything we could. I know we feel bad about ourselves today. It can’t be otherwise. I believe I will be at the Olympics in a few weeks. to remember well. “

• The author: © List
• Source: TASR