Lauris Dārziņš, former captain of the Latvian national hockey team and current coach, recalls the painful 2-3 loss to Denmark during the last Olympic Games in Beijing, where several of today's players participated. In an interview, he noted that while one can find various motivations in sports, including past grievances, elite athletes tend to focus on the future rather than dwelling on past defeats.

Ahead of a significant game against Denmark, Dārziņš expressed a strong sense of readiness within the team, highlighting their objective of improving their position in the tournament standings. He emphasized the necessity to stabilize their performance to approach crucial match stages in their best form. Dārziņš metaphorically described their desire to make their game flow harmoniously like a melody, showcasing his aim for precision and teamwork.

The coach also pointed out that in the Olympic tournament, every participating team is strong, including the Latvian team. With confidence, he prepared his players to face Denmark, underlining the competitive spirit required in such high-stakes settings. As the team gears up for the match, the focus remains on tactical execution and building on previous experiences to forge a path towards victory.