Latvia beat US hockey, so parliament met in jerseys to declare national holiday at midnight
The government of Latvia declared Monday a national holiday after its national hockey team beat the United States on Sunday in the third-place game of the world championship. The bronze is Latvia's first medal in International Ice Hockey Federation competition.
Hockey is the national sport of Latvia and the national team previously had not finished higher than seventh in the world championship.
After the game, members of parliament, wearing national team jerseys, congregated shortly before midnight for about 10 minutes to declare the country's holiday shutdown, according to Latvian Public Media. Latvia's parliament, Saeima, wanted to give its people the day off to celebrate with the team back in Riga at the Freedom Monument. Latvia won its independence from Russia in 1920 and hockey is a source of national pride.
"Celebrating the success of the Latvian hockey team could encourage everyone to strive for excellence in their work, in their skills," the bill stated. "Celebrating this day together would strengthen the national self-confidence and cohesion of the Latvian society."
People woke up to the surprise day off. Courts, businesses and schools were closed Monday, although there was some confusion given the quick nature of the announcement. National exams and graduations went on as planned and hospitals remained open to honor appointments. Teachers were promised holiday pay and the National Health Service said it would pay medical workers.
Latvia beats United States for first medal in hockey world championship
Latvia beat the United States 4-3 in overtime with a winning goal from Kristians Rubins, who also scored an equalizer that sent the game into an extra period at the Nokia Arena in Finland.
The team skated around joyously as soon as the puck went in, throwing up their hands. The coaches hugged and jumped up and down.
Canada, who won over Latvia in the semifinals, beat Germany 5-2 in the championship for its 28th gold medal.
"For the big teams like Canada, this is what they do," Latvian forward Miks Indrašis said after the game. "They win medals all the time. But for us, it's like a one-time opportunity. This is unreal."
"We are still learning from other teams, what we can improve, but at the same time, our team had a lot of moments and nuances where we were superior to all other teams, which was also noticed by foreign commentators," head coach Harijs Vītoliņš told the country's public television station. "If you see a kid fighting against a giant, you always want that kid to fulfill that dream, because that giant has already won medals, he already knows it. We had never experienced it, so everyone wanted to see the sensation."