WATCH: Latvia fans gather in massive numbers to welcome hockey team after bronze medal win at IIHF Worlds

A sea of joyous Latvians flooded the streets of Riga, gathering around the iconic Freedom Monument. They are celebrating their country's historic bronze medal victory over the United States in the IIHF Men's Hockey World Championship. The jubilant atmosphere was palpable as thousands of passionate fans patiently awaited the arrival of their triumphant players.

Latvia celebrated its historic bronze medal win at the IIHF Men's Hockey World Championship, with over 50,000 people gathering at the Freedom Monument in Riga. Despite some businesses being caught off guard by the last-minute declaration of a national holiday, the passionate fans didn't let that dampen their spirits.

Latvian fans waiting for their team at the Freedom Monument, Riga. This achievement is unbelievable for the whole country. by u/GuyWithManyThoughts in hockey

It marked their first-ever bronze medal at the Men's World Hockey Championship, a monumental achievement for a nation deeply passionate about the sport. The impact of this victory resonated far beyond the ice, uniting the entire country in a shared sense of joy and pride.

Latvian Crowd Celebrating 3rd place in Riga by u/PolarPandaOG in hockey

The Latvian government recognized the historical significance of the triumph and declared a national holiday to honor the team's accomplishment.

Latvian team circling around crowd of people by u/PolarPandaOG in hockey

The celebrations around the Freedom Monument symbolize not only the team's success but also the collective pride of the citizens. It is a momentous occasion that will be etched in the nation's history. This bronze medal win will forever hold a special place in the hearts of citizens, serving as an inspiration for future generations.

Latvia's performance in the IIHF Men's Hockey World Championship

Latvia's journey in the IIHF Men's Hockey World Championship was filled with incredible moments and a historic bronze medal victory.

Despite a challenging start with two consecutive losses, they remained undefeated for the remainder of the round-robin stage. This impressive performance secured their place in the quarterfinals, where they shocked Sweden to reach the tournament's final four for the first time at any level.

Continuing their strong run, they faced formidable opponents in Canada in the semifinals. Despite taking the lead on two occasions, the eventual tournament champions managed to overpower Latvia in the closing stages of the game. Although they missed out on a spot in the final, The team's performance against such a strong team showcased their growing prowess on the international stage.

In the bronze medal game against the United States, they once again demonstrated their tenacity and ability to take the lead. However, as the match neared its conclusion, they found themselves trailing.

It was then that defenseman Kristians Rubins, playing for the Calgary Wranglers, stepped up with two crucial goals. His game-tying goal and the eventual medal-winning goal not only secured the bronze medal for the country but also etched his name in the country's hockey history.

This year's tournament marked a significant turning point for the country's hockey. Prior to this achievement, Latvia had never finished higher than seventh place in the World Championship.

However, recent years have seen notable successes for the country, including a victory over Canada on home ice in 2021, qualification for the 2022 Olympics, and advancing to the quarterfinals of the summer world juniors for the first time by defeating Czechia.