Football in Latvia

Football is the third sport in Latvia after ice hockey and basketball.[1] Many other sports are also more popular than football in Latvia, but in recent years it has gained more popularity.[2][3] The Latvian Football Federation (Latvian: Latvijas Futbola federācija) is the sport's national governing body.[4][5] There is a league system, with the Higher League and First League serving as the top leagues in Latvia. There is the Latvian Second League also, where mostly amateur teams play. There are also national cup competitions, with the Latvian Cup being the most notable.

Football in Latvia
CountryLatvia
Governing bodyLatvian Football Federation
National team(s)Latvia national football team
National competitions
Latvian Cup
Club competitions
International competitions

History


Domestic Football

Skonto FC were the most popular and successful football team in Latvia and have won the Latvian Higher League 14 times since independence from Russia.[6][7][8] Latvian football is rife with corruption and bribery.[9] FK Ventspils is only team from Latvia, which had played in group stage of UEFA Europe League (2009–10). There isn't team from Latvia, which had played in group stage of UEFA Champions League.

League system
Level League(s)/Division(s)
1

Latvian Higher League
9 clubs

2

Latvian First League
10 clubs

3 Latvian Second League
Region of Riga
13 clubs		 Latvian Second League
Region of Vidzeme
15 clubs		 Latvian Second League
Region of Kurzeme/Zemgale
10 clubs		 Latvian Second League
Region of Latgale
8 clubs		 Latvian Second League
Region of Northeast
5 clubs

National team
Main article: Latvia national football team

The Latvia national football team in 2003 qualified to Euro 2004.[10][11] This resulted in being the first and currently only Baltic national team to do so.

See also

National teams

Women's teams

Competitions

Leagues

Women's leagues

Cups

Clubs
Main article: List of football clubs in Latvia

References
  1. "A German aims to improve the state of football in Latvia". dpa International. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  2. "Daugava's recipe for title success". UEFA.com. 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  3. "Hard work bearing fruit for Latvia –". Uefa.com. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  4. "When Saturday Comes - Riga mortis". Wsc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  5. "BBC SPORT | Football | Euro 2004 | Latvia | How they qualified: Latvia". BBC News. 2004-05-21. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  6. Bousfield, Jonathan (13 March 2019). "Baltic States". Rough Guides. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via Google Books.
  7. Fuller, Stuart (17 October 2016). "The Football Tourist: The Second Half". Ockley Books. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via Google Books.
  8. "Skonto FC declared insolvent". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  9. O'Connor, Robert (26 September 2016). "Match-Fixing and Money Laundering: The Bitter Demise of Latvian Soccer". Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  10. uefa.com. "UEFA EURO 2004 - History - Latvia". UEFA.com. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  11. "Johnson's vision provides cause for celebration in Latvia and Yeovil". The Independent. 22 November 2003. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  • League321.com - Latvian football league tables, records & statistics database. (in English)
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