The Hockey Federation convincingly defeats the Saeima team, Balderis MVP, in a friendly match

Imants Paradnieks, Daiga Mieriņa, Aigars Kalvītis and Helmuts Balderis Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETA

Today, the team of the Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF) convincingly defeated the team of the Saeima with 11:2 in a friendly hockey game.

As the LETA agency was informed by the Parliament’s Press Service, the Saeima team wished this victory to the LHF as a way bread for the Latvian national team in the upcoming world hockey championship in the Czech Republic.

The Latvian Hockey Federation had invited the Saeima team to a friendly match. The event was opened by the Speaker of the Saeima Daigas Mieriņa (ZZS) and the President of the Latvian Hockey Federation Aigars Kalvītis.

Helmuts Balderis was recognized as the most valuable player in the match, Toms Broks as the best goalkeeper, Atis Švinka (P) as the best defender, Patriks Švinka as the best striker, Lauris Dārziņš as the most productive player, while Lauri Lizbovski (AS) was selected as the most attractive player.

MPs Lizbovskis, Švinka and Richards Shlesers (LPV), as well as former Saeima deputies Gaidis Bērziņš and Imants Parādnieks took to the pitch as part of the Saeima team. Among the players were also employees of the Saeima, as well as family members of MPs and employees.

On the other hand, the team of the Latvian Hockey Federation was represented by former hockey players of the national team, coaches, employees of the federation, as well as hockey organizers and enthusiasts – Ęirts Ankipāns, Artis Ābols, Balderis, Andris Bartkevičs, Broks, Ralfs Bukarts, Dārziņš, Edgars Gaross, Kristofers Jaks, Edvīns Lapinskis, Āriks Miļuns, Roberts Plūējs, Krišjānis Rēdlichs, Agris Saviels, Viktors Smirnovs and Raimonds Vilkoits. The captain of the team was Balderis, but he was assisted by Dārziņš and Bukarts.

The Saeima hockey team was established in the 10th Saeima and has played many friendly matches since 2011, previously competing with the Valmiera city council, musicians and farmers saeima teams.