Latvians awake to surprise holiday after epic ice hockey result


Ice Hockey - IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship 2023 - Bronze Medal - United States v Latvia - Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland - May 28, 2023 Latvia players celebrate after winning bronze JUSSI NUKARI/Lehtikuva via REUTERS

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Latvians woke up to go to work on Monday morning, only to find they didn't have to. Their parliament had met at midnight to declare a holiday after the national ice hockey team chalked up its best-ever result at the world championship.

Latvia, where hockey is the national sport, was co-hosting the men's championship with Finland, and the Latvians' extra-time victory over the U.S. for third place was greeted with wild jubilation. Canada won gold, Germany silver.

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