RIGA (AFP) – Latvian ice hockey fans have a long tradition of bringing flowers to the embassies of teams they defeat at the world championship – an experience made all the more special this year.
“We do this every time… but this year, with the championship here in Riga, it is the greatest feeling ever,” Latvian fan Kristaps Kass told AFP.
“We exit the arena after a victory, walk straight to the embassy while picking some flowers along the way and then proceed to celebrate with other fans,” he said.
Kass was one of many Latvians in team jerseys to turn up, flowers in hand, at the Kazakh embassy in Riga following the Baltic state’s crushing 7-0 win on Saturday.
While it may look like an attempt to add insult to injury to the losing team, the tradition is actually a light-hearted acknowledgement of a worthy opponent.
Even the ambassadors are on board with the idea. Last week, after Latvia defeated the Czech Republic 4-3 in overtime in a historical first – the score usually goes the other way for the two – Prague’s top diplomat in Riga was on hand to welcome the winning fans.
“Of course they were happy, really excited, so I congratulated them,” said Czech ambassador Jana Hynkova, who even took selfies with the Latvians.
“But it’s only a minor balm for the defeat,” she told the hokej.cz website.
Canada’s former ambassador to Latvia, Kevin Rex, called the tradition his “favourite moment” and a “unique joy” in a tweet earlier this month.
He said he regretted that his successor was unable to enjoy the same experience as Canada scored the win over Latvia at this year’s championship.
Latvian fans say the tradition dates back to the 1990s, when their hockey team returned to the highest division of the championship.
