On July 18 and 19, the international 3-on-3 hockey tournament "8 Nations Cup" will be held at the Xiaomi Arena. For the first time in Europe, a sports event of this scale will take place, in which professional hockey players from eight countries will participate.
Currently, the national teams of Finland, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia and Latvia are fully assembled.
Participation in the tournament has been confirmed by well-known NHL players, as well as participants of the World Championships and Olympic Games: Julius Honka (Finland), Marcel Müller (Germany), Leo Komarov (Finland) and many others.
Norman Hauner (Germany), Matej Beran (Czech Republic), Konrad Mölder (Estonia), Marton Nemeš (Hungary), Veli-Mati Savinainen (Finland), Roman Przykril (Czech Republic), David Timofejev (Estonia), Marko Pfleger (Germany), Zombor Garat (Hungary), Robert Arrak (Estonia), Bence Horváts (Hungary) will also go to the Xiaomi Arena ice. Julius Honka (Finland) and many other professional hockey players.
According to the organizers, the Latvian team is currently still in the process of coordination and approval, but it is already clear that the team will be made up of star players.
"It is a great privilege to receive such high-level hockey players. Until recently, the whole world followed them on television screens and sympathized with their games, but now they will play with us in Riga," said representatives of the Latvian 3-on-3 Hockey Federation.
The tournament is organized under the patronage of the Latvian 3-on-3 Hockey Federation. The game consists of three periods of seven minutes. Three outfield players and a goalkeeper from each team play on the field at the same time. The game takes place without power plays, but in case of a violation of the rules, a penalty kick is awarded, during which the hockey player attacks the goalkeeper one-on-one while the opposing team tries to interfere with him.
In addition to the 3-on-3 hockey games, there will also be "Glove Off" battles on the ice, in which athletes from different countries will take part. The fights will take place according to the rules of the tournament, with three rounds of one minute for each participant to show their skills.
An impressive light and sound show awaits the guests of the evening, competitions for the whole family and musical accompaniment throughout the event.