January 12th, 2009

In seven years we can keep up with the Swedish

During Euro Floorball Cup in Winterthur, Switzerland in October 2008 worldfloorballnews had the opportunity to talk to Janis Anis, defender of Latvian champion Latvijas Avize. He is optimistic that Latvian club teams are going to be able to defeat teams from Sweden in five or seven years time.

wfn: How many matches do you play in a play off series in the top league of your country?
Janis Anis: We used to play three matches (play off best of three) until last year. But know we will play five matches (play off best of five).

wfn: Are there many people following the matches in Latvia’s top league?
Janis Anis: There are usually between 200 and 400 supporters in the sports hall. But in the final series we had between 1000 and 2000 spectators watching the matches.

wfn: Is there any progress regarding the number of players in your country?
Janis Anis: Floorball is very popular at school because it’s cheap. Women also like to play. Floorball is progressing quickly in Latvia. I’m full of expectations towards the new generation.

wfn: How long does it take until clubs from Latvia can keep up with teams from ‘Svenska Superligan’?
Janis Anis: After five or seven years time, I think. But we need further growth in the number of l players.

Interview by Matthias Dudli
Photograph by Matthias Dudli