Latvia national football team
Encyclopedia
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation
, the governing body for football in Latvia
and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup
and the European Championships
. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup
, but have qualified for one European Championship, in 2004. The current head coach is Aleksandrs Starkovs
. The team plays its home matches at the Skonto Stadium in Riga
.
; the result was a 1–1 draw. Latvia are the only Baltic
team that has qualified for a European Championship and have won the Baltic Cup 10 times. Latvia in its pre-war period from 1922 to 1940 played 99 official games.
In 1937, the Latvian team participated in the first qualification tournament for the 1938 FIFA World Cup
. Latvia were seeded in Group 8 with Austria and Lithuania. Latvia beat Lithuania 4–2 in Riga (Goals: Fricis Kaņeps
9', 52', 83'; Iļja Vestermans
50' – Gudelis 79', Pavilionis 90') and then won 5–1 in Kaunas (Kaņeps 4', 45' (penalty); Vaclavs Borduško
11', 30'; Vestermans 67' – Pavilionis 72'), but lost 1–2 in the decisive match with Austria. Goals by Iļja Vestermans at the 6th minute for Latvia, and by Binders at 33' and Jerusalem at 15'. In April 1938 the Austrian Anschluss
relegated the Austrian team, but the team of Latvia was not invited by FIFA
as the group's runner-up.
In 1940, Latvia was annexed by the Soviet Union
; the country regained its independence in 1991 and played their first match as a new nation against Estonia
on November 16 of that year in the Baltic Cup
, and their first FIFA
-recognized match against Romania
on April 8, 1992, a 0–2 loss in Bucharest
.
Latvia were surprise qualifiers for the 2004 European Football Championship. After coming second in their qualifying group (ahead of Poland
) they defeated 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Turkey
in a playoff to reach the final tournament. They were drawn into group D with Germany
, the Czech Republic
, and the Netherlands
. On June 15, 2004, Latvia played the Czech Republic and took a half-time lead with a goal from Māris Verpakovskis
. The Czechs would later come back to win the game 2–1. Four days later Latvia earned a respectable no score draw against Germany to earn their first point in a major tournament. Latvia later lost to the Netherlands 3–0 and were eliminated with one point from their draw and two losses.
Vitālijs Astafjevs
has played for Latvia more times than anyone else, with 167 caps from 1992 to 2010. He also holds the European record for the most played matches in the national team. Astafjevs has netted 16 times. Andrejs Rubins
is the most capped active player for Latvia with 114 appearances, as of March, 2011. Māris Verpakovskis
is the nation's top goal scorer with 28 goals. Other high scorers include Marians Pahars and Juris Laizāns
, who both have scored 15 goals each for Latvia.
Opposition: &
Caps and goals correct as of: 11 October 2011
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Players in bold are still active.
Players in bold are still active.
Latvian Football Federation
The Latvian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Latvia based in the capital, Riga. It organises the Latvian football championship , Latvian Football Cup and the Latvia national football team. LFF became a member of FIFA in 1922, but following Latvia's annexation by the Soviet...
, the governing body for football in Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
and the European Championships
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, but have qualified for one European Championship, in 2004. The current head coach is Aleksandrs Starkovs
Aleksandrs Starkovs
Aleksandrs Starkovs is a Latvian football coach and a former footballer. Starkovs is currently in his second spell as manager of the Latvian national team and is also the manager of FK Baku, having previously managed clubs such as Spartak Moscow in Russia and Skonto FC in Latvia.-Playing...
. The team plays its home matches at the Skonto Stadium in Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
.
History
Latvia played their first match in 1922, a game against EstoniaEstonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
; the result was a 1–1 draw. Latvia are the only Baltic
Baltic states
The term Baltic states refers to the Baltic territories which gained independence from the Russian Empire in the wake of World War I: primarily the contiguous trio of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ; Finland also fell within the scope of the term after initially gaining independence in the 1920s.The...
team that has qualified for a European Championship and have won the Baltic Cup 10 times. Latvia in its pre-war period from 1922 to 1940 played 99 official games.
In 1937, the Latvian team participated in the first qualification tournament for the 1938 FIFA World Cup
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
. Latvia were seeded in Group 8 with Austria and Lithuania. Latvia beat Lithuania 4–2 in Riga (Goals: Fricis Kaņeps
Fricis Kaneps
Fricis Kaņeps was a Latvian footballer. He was one of the most powerful Latvian forwards of the 1930s who didn't have a very good technique but compensated it mostly by his physical strength...
9', 52', 83'; Iļja Vestermans
Ilja Vestermans
Iļja Vestermans was a Latvian football forward of Jewish origin.He was born in Riga. Most of his career he played with the Riga Jewish community sports club Hakoah...
50' – Gudelis 79', Pavilionis 90') and then won 5–1 in Kaunas (Kaņeps 4', 45' (penalty); Vaclavs Borduško
Vaclavs Borduško
Vaclavs Borduško was a Latvian international footballer, a two-time champion of Latvia.-Biography:...
11', 30'; Vestermans 67' – Pavilionis 72'), but lost 1–2 in the decisive match with Austria. Goals by Iļja Vestermans at the 6th minute for Latvia, and by Binders at 33' and Jerusalem at 15'. In April 1938 the Austrian Anschluss
Anschluss
The Anschluss , also known as the ', was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938....
relegated the Austrian team, but the team of Latvia was not invited by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
as the group's runner-up.
In 1940, Latvia was annexed by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
; the country regained its independence in 1991 and played their first match as a new nation against Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
on November 16 of that year in the Baltic Cup
Baltic Cup
The Baltic Cup is a biennial football competition contested between national teams from the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania every two years. During the Soviet era, Belarus also participated in some of the competitions...
, and their first FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
-recognized match against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
on April 8, 1992, a 0–2 loss in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
.
Latvia were surprise qualifiers for the 2004 European Football Championship. After coming second in their qualifying group (ahead of Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
) they defeated 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
in a playoff to reach the final tournament. They were drawn into group D with Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
, the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
, and the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
. On June 15, 2004, Latvia played the Czech Republic and took a half-time lead with a goal from Māris Verpakovskis
Maris Verpakovskis
Māris Verpakovskis , is a Latvian football forward, currently playing for the Azerbaijan Premier League club FK Baku in Azerbaijan and the Latvia national football team.-Latvia:...
. The Czechs would later come back to win the game 2–1. Four days later Latvia earned a respectable no score draw against Germany to earn their first point in a major tournament. Latvia later lost to the Netherlands 3–0 and were eliminated with one point from their draw and two losses.
Vitālijs Astafjevs
Vitalijs Astafjevs
Vitālijs Astafjevs is a former football midfielder from Latvia, currently the assistant manager for Skonto Rīga.- Club career :...
has played for Latvia more times than anyone else, with 167 caps from 1992 to 2010. He also holds the European record for the most played matches in the national team. Astafjevs has netted 16 times. Andrejs Rubins
Andrejs Rubins
Andrejs Rubins is a football midfielder from Latvia. He currently plays for FK Simurq Zaqatala in Azerbaijan. He also plays for the Latvia national team.-Club career:...
is the most capped active player for Latvia with 114 appearances, as of March, 2011. Māris Verpakovskis
Maris Verpakovskis
Māris Verpakovskis , is a Latvian football forward, currently playing for the Azerbaijan Premier League club FK Baku in Azerbaijan and the Latvia national football team.-Latvia:...
is the nation's top goal scorer with 28 goals. Other high scorers include Marians Pahars and Juris Laizāns
Juris Laizans
Juris Laizāns is a Latvian football midfielder, currently playing for Fakel Voronezh in the Russian First League and Latvia national football team.-Club career:...
, who both have scored 15 goals each for Latvia.
World Cup record
- 19301930 FIFA World CupThe 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
to 19341934 FIFA World CupThe 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
– Did not enter - 19381938 FIFA World CupThe 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
– Did not qualify - 19501950 FIFA World CupThe 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
to 19901990 FIFA World CupThe 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
– Did not enter, was part of USSRUSSR national football teamThe Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union... - 19941994 FIFA World CupThe 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
to 20102010 FIFA World CupThe 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
– Did not qualify
European Championship record
| UEFA European Championship record UEFA European Football Championship The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current... |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
| 1960 to 1992 | Part of | |||||||
| 1996 to 2000 | Did not qualify | |||||||
 2004 |
Group Stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2008 to 2012 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| Total | Group Stage | 1/13 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group F
Recent and forthcoming matches
| Date | Tournament | Location | Opponent | Result | Latvia scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 August 2011 | Friendly | Riga Riga Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,... |
0:2 | ||
| 2 September 2011 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualification | Tbilisi Tbilisi Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936... |
1:0 | Aleksandrs Cauņa Aleksandrs Cauna Aleksandrs Cauņa is a Latvian football player, currently playing for PFC CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premier League.-Club career:... |
|
| 6 September 2011 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualification | Riga Riga Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,... |
1:5 | Aleksandrs Cauņa Aleksandrs Cauna Aleksandrs Cauņa is a Latvian football player, currently playing for PFC CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premier League.-Club career:... |
|
| 7 October 2011 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualification | Riga Riga Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,... |
2:0 | Aleksejs Višņakovs Aleksejs Višnakovs Aleksejs Višņakovs is a Latvian football midfielder, who currently plays for Cracovia in the Ekstraklasa in Poland.-Latvia:... , Artjoms Rudņevs Artjoms Rudnevs Artjoms Rudņevs is a Latvian football forward of Russian origin. He plays as a striker for Lech Poznań.- Club Career :... |
|
| 10 October 2011 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualification | Rijeka Rijeka Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants... |
0:2 |
Players
Current squad
Match Date: 7 & 10 October 2011Opposition: &
Caps and goals correct as of: 11 October 2011
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Recent callups
Players called-up within last 12 months:| Name | Date of Birth (Age) | Club | Caps | Goals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||||
| Aleksandrs Koļinko Aleksandrs Kolinko Aleksandrs Koļinko is a professional footballer, currently playing for FC Baltika Kaliningrad in Russian First Division.- Club career :... |
June 18, 1975 (age 36) |  Baltika KaliningradFC Baltika Kaliningrad Baltika is an association football club based in Kaliningrad, Russia. Currently the club plays in the Football Championship of the National League.-History:The club was founded on 22 December 1954 as Pishchevik Kaliningrad... |
86 | 0 | ||
| Deniss Romanovs Deniss Romanovs Deniss Romanovs is a football goalkeeper from Latvia, currently playing for Cenderawasih FC in Liga Primer Indonesia.Previously he played for Skonto-Metals, FK Valmiera, FK Ventspils and FC Ditton in Latvia, Dinamo Bucharest in Romania, Slavia Prague in Czech Republic and Khazar Lankaran in... |
September 02, 1978 (age 33) |  Cendrawasih PapuaCendrawasih Papua F.C. Cendrawasih Papua F.C. is an Indonesian football club based in Jayapura in the province of Papua. The team plays in Liga Primer Indonesia and was a founding member of the league.-Team Officials:-2011 Squad:-External links:... |
5 | 0 | ||
| Kaspars Ikstens Kaspars Ikstens Kaspars Ikstens is a Latvian footballer who currently plays for Virsliga club Skonto FC.Ikstens was taken to Skonto FC by Aleksandrs Starkovs after a successful season together with Olimps/RFS in 2009... |
June 05, 1988 (age 23) |  Skonto RigaSkonto FC Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team... |
0 | 0 | ||
| Defenders | ||||||
| Deniss Kačanovs Deniss Kacanovs Deniss Kačanovs is a football defender from Latvia, currently playing for Persema Malang in Indonesia Premier League.- Club Career :... |
November 27, 1979 (age 32) | Persema Malang Persema Malang Persema, an acronym for Persatuan Sepak Bola Malang is an Indonesian football club based in Malang, East Java. They play in Indonesia's breakaway football league, Liga Primer Indonesia . In the Indonesian media, the tautology Persema Malang is often used.- History :The club was officially... |
29 | 0 | ||
| Dzintars Zirnis Dzintars Zirnis Dzintars Zirnis is a Latvian football defender, currently playing for FK Liepājas Metalurgs and the Latvian national team.-Club career:... |
April 25, 1977 (age 34) | Liepājas Metalurgs |
68 | 0 | ||
| Igors Savčenkovs Igors Savcenkovs Igors Savčenkovs is a football defender from Latvia, currently playing for FK Ventspils in Virsliga.His previous club was FK Jelgava on loan from FK Ventspils. In 2010 he played 12 matches in the LMT Virsliga, scoring twice. After the season he was released by the club and it was stated that he... |
November 03, 1982 (age 29) | Ventspils FK Ventspils FK Ventspils is a Latvian football club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions in Ventspils city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament.... |
3 | 0 | ||
| Vladimirs Bespalovs Vladimirs Bespalovs Vladimirs Bespalovs is a Latvian footballer who currently plays for Virsliga club FK Ventspils and Latvia national football team.... |
June 22, 1988 (age 23) | Ventspils FK Ventspils FK Ventspils is a Latvian football club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions in Ventspils city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament.... |
1 | 0 | ||
| Kaspars Dubra Kaspars Dubra Kaspars Dubra is a professional football player from Latvia. He plays as a centre back and defensive midfielder. His current club is Skonto FC. Previously he played for Olimps/RFS. He has great scoring ability for defender.... |
December 20, 1990 (age 21) | Skonto Riga Skonto FC Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team... |
1 | 0 | ||
| Renārs Rode Renārs Rode Renārs Rode is a Latvian footballer who currently plays for Virsliga club Skonto FC. He previously played for another Latvian Virsliga club Olimps/RFS.... |
April 06, 1989 (age 22) | Skonto Riga Skonto FC Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team... |
0 | 0 | ||
| Valērijs Redjko Valērijs Redjko Valērijs Redjko in Jelgava is a football defender from Latvia. His current club is FK Jelgava.Redjko was signed by FK Jelgava in 2009, previously he had played for SK Blāzma in Rēzekne... |
March 10, 1983 (age 28) | Jelgava FK Jelgava FK Jelgava is a Latvian football club that is based in Jelgava. Its best results came when the team was named RAF Jelgava.-Automobīlists Jelgava:... |
0 | 0 | ||
| Igors Stepanovs Igors Stepanovs Igors Nauris Stepanovs is a Latvian football defender, currently playing for FK Jūrmala. As of April 2010 he has played 99 international matches and scored 4 goals for the Latvia national team. He made his debut in 1995, and played at Euro 2004.-Skonto:He started his club career at Skonto-Metāls... |
January 21, 1976 (age 36) | Jūrmala-VV |
100 | 4 | ||
| Midfielders | ||||||
| Jurijs Žigajevs Jurijs Žigajevs Jurijs Žigajevs is a Latvian football player, currently playing for the Ekstraklasa club Widzew Łódź in Poland.- Club career:... |
November 14, 1985 (age 26) |  Widzew Łódź |
26 | 1 | ||
| Maksims Rafaļskis Maksims Rafaļskis Maksims Rafaļskis is a Latvian footballer, currently playing for Russian First Division club FC Baltika Kaliningrad.- Club career :... |
May 14, 1984 (age 27) | Baltika Kaliningrad FC Baltika Kaliningrad Baltika is an association football club based in Kaliningrad, Russia. Currently the club plays in the Football Championship of the National League.-History:The club was founded on 22 December 1954 as Pishchevik Kaliningrad... |
13 | 0 | ||
| Juris Laizāns Juris Laizans Juris Laizāns is a Latvian football midfielder, currently playing for Fakel Voronezh in the Russian First League and Latvia national football team.-Club career:... |
January 06, 1979 (age 33) | Fakel Voronezh FC Fakel Voronezh FC Fakel Voronezh is a Russian association football club based in Voronezh. Currently the club plays in the Russian First Division. The name of the club means "Torch" .... |
108 | 15 | ||
| Genādijs Soloņicins Genadijs Solonicins Genādijs Soloņicins is a football midfielder from Latvia, currently playing for Liepājas Metalurgs in Latvia.-Club career:Soloņicins played for Liepājas Metalurgs for 12 years, making his debut in 1997... |
January 03, 1980 (age 32) | Liepājas Metalurgs |
44 | 1 | ||
| Jevgēņijs Kosmačovs Jevgenijs Kosmacovs Jevgēņijs Kosmačovs is a Latvian footballer who plays for FK Ventspils.He is a midfielder and he has also been capped by Latvia.-Club career:... |
February 18, 1988 (age 23) | Ventspils FK Ventspils FK Ventspils is a Latvian football club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions in Ventspils city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament.... |
3 | 0 | ||
| Andrejs Kovaļovs Andrejs Kovaļovs Andrejs Kovaļovs is a Latvian footballer who currently plays for Virsliga club FK Daugava Daugavpils and Latvia national football team.He made his national team debut in a friendly match against China on November 17, 2010.... |
March 23, 1989 (age 22) | Daugava Daugavpils FK Daugava Daugavpils FC Daugava is a Latvian football club from the city of Daugavpils. In 2007 they renamed from FC Ditton to FC Daugava.... |
2 | 0 | ||
| Forwards | ||||||
| Ģirts Karlsons Girts Karlsons Ģirts Karlsons is Latvian football striker currently playing for Azerbaijani club FC Inter Baku.-Club career:Karlsons started his career at FK Liepājas Metalurgs in 1998. He spent the next six season with the club... |
June 07, 1981 (age 30) |  Inter Baku |
49 | 9 | ||
| Kristaps Grebis Kristaps Grebis Kristaps Grebis is a Latvian footballer, currently playing for FK Simurq Zaqatala in Azerbaijan Premier League.- Club career :... |
December 13, 1980 (age 31) | Simurq Zagatala |
13 | 2 | ||
| Daniils Turkovs Daniils Turkovs Daniils Turkovs is a Latvian footballer who currently plays for Soproni Liga club Zalaegerszegi TE in Hungary and Latvia football team.-Club career:... |
February 17, 1988 (age 23) |  Zalaegerszegi TEZalaegerszegi TE Zalaegerszegi Torna Egylet is a Hungarian football team from the city of Zalaegerszeg.ZTE traces its roots back to 1912, at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Its first match was a 4-2 defeat to a team from Vasvár. The team was first composed of members of a literary and debating society... |
4 | 0 | ||
| Oļegs Malašenoks Olegs Malašenoks Oļegs Malašenoks is a Latvian professional footballer, who plays as a striker for FK Jelgava in Latvia.Previously he played for FK Jūrmala. In the 2008 Latvian Higher League season he scored 13 goals and finished as the league's second top scorer. He has also played for FC Tranzīts and FK... |
April 27, 1986 (age 25) | Volgar-Gazprom Astrakhan FC Volgar-Gazprom Astrakhan FC Volgar-Gazprom Astrakhan is an association football club based in Astrakhan, Russia. In 2008, they won the Russian Second Division in the South Zone and were promoted to the Russian First Division for 2009.-History:... |
1 | 0 | ||
| Deniss Rakels Deniss Rakels Deniss Rakels is a Latvian footballer, who currently plays for I liga club GKS Katowice in Poland on loan from Zagłębie Lubin.-Early career in Latvia:... |
August 20, 1992 (age 19) | Katowice GKS Katowice GKS Katowice is a Polish football club based in Katowice, Poland. The club currently plays in the Polish First League.-History:In 1963 in Katowice a special organizational committee was called with the purpose of uniting all the clubs and sporting organizations of city into one large club which... |
2 | 0 | ||
| Artūrs Karašausks Artūrs Karašausks Artūrs Karašausks is a Latvian footballer who currently plays for Virsliga side Skonto FC.-Olimps/RFS:He started his career in the local youth club JFK Skonto, joining Olimps/RFS in 2009. He played there for a year just being 17. He managed to score 10 goals in 18 appearances during his first... |
January 29, 1992 (age 20) | Skonto Riga Skonto FC Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team... |
2 | 0 | ||
| Kristaps Blanks Kristaps Blanks Kristaps Blanks is a football striker from Latvia. His current club is Skonto FC.-Playing career:* - played games and goals-External links:... |
January 30, 1986 (age 26) | Skonto Riga Skonto FC Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team... |
22 | 0 | ||
| Vladislavs Kozlovs Vladislavs Kozlovs Vladislavs Kozlovs is a Latvian footballer who currently plays for Virsliga club FK Jelgava.Kozlovs previously played for BSK Dižvanagi and FS Metta-Latvijas Universitāte... |
November 30, 1987 (age 24) | Jelgava FK Jelgava FK Jelgava is a Latvian football club that is based in Jelgava. Its best results came when the team was named RAF Jelgava.-Automobīlists Jelgava:... |
2 | 0 | ||
Most capped players
| # | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Vitālijs Astafjevs Vitalijs Astafjevs Vitālijs Astafjevs is a former football midfielder from Latvia, currently the assistant manager for Skonto Rīga.- Club career :... |
1992–2010 | 167 | 16 |
| 2. | Andrejs Rubins Andrejs Rubins Andrejs Rubins is a football midfielder from Latvia. He currently plays for FK Simurq Zaqatala in Azerbaijan. He also plays for the Latvia national team.-Club career:... |
1998– | 117 | 10 |
| 3. | Juris Laizāns Juris Laizans Juris Laizāns is a Latvian football midfielder, currently playing for Fakel Voronezh in the Russian First League and Latvia national football team.-Club career:... |
1998– | 108 | 15 |
| 4. | Imants Bleidelis Imants Bleidelis Imants Bleidelis is a former football midfielder from Latvia. He last played for FK Liepājas Metalurgs. He has made 106 appearances for the Latvia national team.-Club career:... |
1995–2007 | 106 | 10 |
| 5. | Mihails Zemļinskis Mihails Zemlinskis Mihails Zemļinskis is a former Latvian football player. Born in Riga, he didn't play for a club other than Skonto FC except for two short spells in Hungary and Israel... |
1992–2005 | 105 | 12 |
| 6. | Igors Stepanovs Igors Stepanovs Igors Nauris Stepanovs is a Latvian football defender, currently playing for FK Jūrmala. As of April 2010 he has played 99 international matches and scored 4 goals for the Latvia national team. He made his debut in 1995, and played at Euro 2004.-Skonto:He started his club career at Skonto-Metāls... |
1995–2011 | 100 | 4 |
| 7. | Māris Verpakovskis Maris Verpakovskis Māris Verpakovskis , is a Latvian football forward, currently playing for the Azerbaijan Premier League club FK Baku in Azerbaijan and the Latvia national football team.-Latvia:... |
1999– | 90 | 28 |
| 8. | Aleksandrs Koļinko Aleksandrs Kolinko Aleksandrs Koļinko is a professional footballer, currently playing for FC Baltika Kaliningrad in Russian First Division.- Club career :... |
1997– | 86 | 0 |
| 9. | Andrejs Štolcers Andrejs Štolcers Andrejs Štolcers is a former Latvian professional football player, currently a football coach at Concept 4 Football based in Chessington, Surrey.- Club Career :... |
1994–2005 | 81 | 7 |
| 10. | Marian Pahars Marian Pahars Marians Pahars is a Latvian former footballer, currently the manager of Skonto FC. He spent most of his career as a striker at Southampton in the Premier League and with Skonto in Latvia.... |
1996–2007 | 75 | 15 |
Players in bold are still active.
Top goalscorers
| # | Player | Career | Goals (Caps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Māris Verpakovskis Maris Verpakovskis Māris Verpakovskis , is a Latvian football forward, currently playing for the Azerbaijan Premier League club FK Baku in Azerbaijan and the Latvia national football team.-Latvia:... |
1999– | 28 (90) |
| 2. | Ēriks Pētersons Eriks Petersons Ēriks Pētersons was Latvian footballer and hockey player. In time between 1929–1939 he played 63 international matches and scored 21 goal for Latvia national team. He also played in Latvian national ice hockey team, where he appeared in 8 matches... |
1929–1939 | 21 (63) |
| 3. | Vitālijs Astafjevs Vitalijs Astafjevs Vitālijs Astafjevs is a former football midfielder from Latvia, currently the assistant manager for Skonto Rīga.- Club career :... |
1992–2010 | 16 (167) |
| 4. | Marians Pahars | 1996–2007 | 15 (75) |
| 5. | Juris Laizāns Juris Laizans Juris Laizāns is a Latvian football midfielder, currently playing for Fakel Voronezh in the Russian First League and Latvia national football team.-Club career:... |
1998– | 15 (108) |
| 6. | Alberts Šeibelis Alberts Šeibelis Alberts Šeibelis was a Latvian footballer, one of the most popular Latvian footballers in the era before World War II. In 54 matches for Latvia he scored 14 goals-Biography:... |
1925–1939 | 14 (54) |
| 7. | Iļja Vestermans Ilja Vestermans Iļja Vestermans was a Latvian football forward of Jewish origin.He was born in Riga. Most of his career he played with the Riga Jewish community sports club Hakoah... |
1935–1938 | 13 (23) |
| 8. | Mihails Zemļinskis Mihails Zemlinskis Mihails Zemļinskis is a former Latvian football player. Born in Riga, he didn't play for a club other than Skonto FC except for two short spells in Hungary and Israel... |
1992–2005 | 12 (105) |
| 9. | Vīts Rimkus Vits Rimkus Vīts Rimkus is a football striker from Latvia, currently playing for Finikas Ayias Marinas Chrisohus in Cypriot Fourth Division, after being released by FK Ekranas in Lithuania.... |
1995–2008 | 11 (73) |
| 10. | Arnolds Tauriņš Arnolds Taurinš Arnolds Tauriņš was a Latvian footballer, a seven-time champion of Latvia in 1920s-1930s.-Biography:... |
1925–1935 | 10 (39) |
| Imants Bleidelis Imants Bleidelis Imants Bleidelis is a former football midfielder from Latvia. He last played for FK Liepājas Metalurgs. He has made 106 appearances for the Latvia national team.-Club career:... |
1995–2007 | 10 (106) | |
| Andrejs Rubins Andrejs Rubins Andrejs Rubins is a football midfielder from Latvia. He currently plays for FK Simurq Zaqatala in Azerbaijan. He also plays for the Latvia national team.-Club career:... |
1998– | 10 (117) |
Players in bold are still active.
Coaches
| Coach | Latvia career |
|---|---|
| Jānis Gilis Janis Gilis Jānis Gilis , was the first general manager of Latvia national football team after Latvia regained independence.-Playing career:... |
1992–1997 |
 Revaz DzodzuashviliRevaz Dzodzuashvili Revaz Mikhaylovich Dzodzuashvili is a Georgian football manager and a former player.He earned 49 caps for the USSR national football team, and participated in the 1970 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1972... |
1998–1999 |
 Gary JohnsonGary Johnson (footballer) Gary Johnson is an English football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Npower League Two's Northampton Town.... |
1999–2001 |
| Aleksandrs Starkovs Aleksandrs Starkovs Aleksandrs Starkovs is a Latvian football coach and a former footballer. Starkovs is currently in his second spell as manager of the Latvian national team and is also the manager of FK Baku, having previously managed clubs such as Spartak Moscow in Russia and Skonto FC in Latvia.-Playing... |
2001–2004 |
| Jurijs Andrejevs Jurijs Andrejevs Jurijs Andrejevs is a former footballer who is currently the sporting director of Liepājas Metalurgs.Previously he was the manager of the team but was released in 2008 after an unsuccessful season.... |
2004–2007 |
| Aleksandrs Starkovs Aleksandrs Starkovs Aleksandrs Starkovs is a Latvian football coach and a former footballer. Starkovs is currently in his second spell as manager of the Latvian national team and is also the manager of FK Baku, having previously managed clubs such as Spartak Moscow in Russia and Skonto FC in Latvia.-Playing... |
2007 – present |
See also
- Latvia U-21Latvia national under-21 football teamThe Latvia national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Latvia and is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body of football in Latvia. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
- Latvia U-19Latvia national under-19 football teamThe Latvia national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of Latvia and is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation.The team competes in the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, held every year.-Coaching staff:...
- Latvia youth football teamLatvia national under-17 football teamThe Latvia national under-17 football team or Latvia U-17 represents Latvia in association football at the under-17 youth level, and is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation....