His first effort would be in Division B. Latvia would finish second to Slovakia after 6 wins and 1 loss in 7 games. Znarok put up 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) in 8 games and 18 PIM. In his second effort, now as captain in 1996, Latvia would improve to first in Division B after 6 wins and 1 draw in 7 games. Znarok led the tournament with 6 goals in 6 games and added 2 assists with 18 PIM, making the All-Star team. In the last game of the tournament, Latvia needed a tie or a win against Switzerland, to gain promotion. A loss, would have give nSwitzerland the promotion. Down 1–0, Znarok scored to tie the game, 1–1. Latvia earned a promotion to the elite division for next year's championship. In his third effort, Latvia would now be facing some of the top national teams of the world, placed in a group with Canada, United States and Sweden. Not expected to show much, having just been promoted, Latvia would go on to greatly surprise the hockey world. Znarok lead the team with 10 points in 8 games. He was tied for 5th in tournament points and tied for 2nd in assists, with 7. Znarok led his team to a seventh-place finish, the highest ever finish for Latvia. In his fourth effort and secondnd as captain, Latvia would finish ninth. In the consolation round establishing 9-12th place standings, there were some highlights. A 5–0 win over Germany and a 3–2 win against United States, avenging the previous year's loss. This sent the American and German teams to next year's qualification tournaments to fight against relegation. The American team would be successful and remain in the elite division for 1999. The German team, however, would only be back in the elite division in 2001. Znarok put up 8 points (5 goals, 3 assists) in 8 games. The 1999 edition would mark Znarok's fifth and final effort (third as captain). Latvia would go on to finish eleventh. As a result, next year they would be forced to play a qualification tournament to remain in the elite group. At 36, Znarok would only manage 1 assist and be limited to only 6 games. After finishing his playing career, Znarok turned to coaching. In 2002–03, he was an assistant coach for the Latvian national team, while in 2003–04, Znarok was the head coach of the under-18 national team, as well as the head for Prizma Riga of the Latvian Hockey Higher League.