Mogo vs France U20

France opened the scoring at 05:42 of the first period when Jolan Pfirter finished a crisp passing move orchestrated by Alexandre Monarque and Loé Turlure (FFHG match report, 2026). The score stayed 0-1 through the end of P1.

Mogo roared back in the second period. Elvis Zelubovskis levelled on the power play at 22:18, and Kaspars Ziemiņš put the Latvian champions ahead just 84 seconds later at 23:42 (TVNET, 2026). But France captain Mathis Dufour restored parity at 36:09, parking himself in the traffic in front of goal to bundle home, making it 2-2.

The hosts regained the lead early in the third — Rūdolfs Polcs, a former Synerglace Ligue Magnus player, fired an awkward-angle shot past France goalkeeper Thomas Boursier at 44:37 (Hokeja Ziņas, 2026). With time running out, Hector Martel deflected Mattéo Bertrand's long-range pass from close range at 55:00 to make it 3-3.

The decisive moment came in the fifth minute of overtime. Monarque's shot rattled the crossbar, and Zwikel was first to the rebound, tucking it past Jānis Sidašs in the Mogo net to seal a 4-3 French victory (FFHG, 2026; Hokeja Ziņas, 2026).

• Maurice Zwikel (France U20) — OT winner; the decisive touch in the extra period after Monarque's crossbar strike. Player of the match.
• Mathis Dufour (France U20) — Scored the 2-2 equaliser and led by example as captain.
• Rūdolfs Polcs (Mogo/RSU) — Gave Mogo their second lead with a clever finish despite having experience in the French Ligue Magnus.
• Elvis Zelubovskis (Mogo/RSU) — Started Mogo's comeback with a power-play goal early in the second period.

The betmana.co.uk page shows each team registered 28 shots on goal — identical shot counts, reflecting an evenly contested game. Mogo's offensive burst in the second period (22:18–23:42) gave them their only lead of the match, but France's ability to respond within minutes each time proved decisive. France capitalised on a late-game defensive lapse from Mogo goalkeeper Sidašs in OT — the sort of error that often separates teams in even pre-season contests. Both sides played without several first-choice players: Mogo rested veterans Kaspars Daugaviņš and Kristaps Sotnieks, while France were using the tournament to build cohesion after their relegation from U20 World Championship Division IA (Sportacentrs, 2026).

Mogo/RSU finished bottom of the LHF President's Cup group stage with three defeats from three matches. France U20, who lost their opener 4-2 to Latvia's "white" team on 14 August, earned a spot in the third-place play-off against Zemgale/LBTU on 16 August (FFHG, 2026). For Dimet's side, the win provided a valuable confidence boost ahead of the new U20 international season after their relegation from Division IA in December 2025.

• Competition: LHF Prezidenta kauss (President's Cup) — pre-season tournament held at Inbox.lv ledus halle, Piņķi, Latvia, 13–16 August 2026.
• Period scores: 0-1, 2-1, 1-1, 0-1 (OT).
• Mogo/RSU are the reigning Optibet Hokeja Liga champions (Latvian top division).
• France U20 were relegated from the IIHF U20 World Championship Division IA in December 2025 (Sportacentrs, 2026).
• Goal scorers (France): J. Pfirter, M. Dufour, H. Martel, M. Zwikel.
• Goal scorers (Mogo): E. Zelubovskis (PP), K. Ziemiņš, R. Polcs.
• Goaltenders: Jānis Sidašs (Mogo/RSU); Thomas Boursier (France U20).
• Full match video available via latvijashokejs.tv (LHF broadcast).

A classic pre-season rollercoaster: three comebacks, a crossbar, and a last-gasp winner. France U20 showed better composure in the clutch moments, while Mogo's inability to protect leads — twice — will concern the coaching staff. The scoreline flattered neither side's dominance; both had 28 shots in a genuinely even contest.

Sources: Betmana match page; FFHG (Fédération Française de Hockey sur Glace) — hockeyfrance.com; TVNET/LETA — sports.tvnet.lv; Hokeja Ziņas — hokejazinas.com; Sportacentrs.com; LHF.lv (Latvian Hockey Federation).