Football in Latvia
| Football in Latvia | |
|---|---|
| Country | Latvia |
| Governing body | Latvian Football Federation |
| National team(s) | Latvia national football team |
National competitions | |
Latvian Cup | |
Club competitions | |
International competitions | |
Champions League Europa League Super Cup FIFA Club World Cup FIFA World Cup (National Team) European Championship (National Team) UEFA Nations League (National Team) | |
Football is the number one sport based on participation, but the third sport in Latvia after ice hockey and basketball based on popularity.[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.
History[]
The Latvian Football Federation was founded in 1921. In 1922 The Latvian Football Federation joined FIFA.[6] In 1940-1991, Latvia was part of the USSR and as an independent state did not take part in the World Cup and European championships. After gaining independence in 1992, membership was restored.
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.[7][8][9] Latvian football is rife with corruption and bribery.[10] FK Ventspils is the only team from Latvia which has played in the group stage of the UEFA Europe League (2009–10). No Latvian team has ever reached the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
League system[]
| Level | League(s)/Division(s) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Latvian Higher League | |||||||||
| 2 |
Latvian First League | |||||||||
| 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[]
The Latvia national football team in 2003 qualified to Euro 2004.[11][12] This resulted in being the first and currently only Baltic national team to do so.
See also[]
National teams[]
- Latvia national football team
- Latvia national under-21 football team
- Latvia national under-19 football team
- Latvia national under-17 football team
Women's teams[]
Competitions[]
Leagues[]
Women's leagues[]
Cups[]
Clubs[]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "A German aims to improve the state of football in Latvia". dpa International. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Daugava's recipe for title success". UEFA.com. 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ^ "Hard work bearing fruit for Latvia –". Uefa.com. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ^ "When Saturday Comes - Riga mortis". Wsc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ^ "BBC SPORT | Football | Euro 2004 | Latvia | How they qualified: Latvia". BBC News. 2004-05-21. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ^ "Latvian football survives setbacks | Inside UEFA". UEFA.com. July 9, 2018.
- ^ Bousfield, Jonathan (13 March 2019). Baltic States. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781858288406. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Fuller, Stuart (17 October 2016). The Football Tourist: The Second Half. Ockley Books. ISBN 9781912022519. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Skonto FC declared insolvent". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ O'Connor, Robert (26 September 2016). "Match-Fixing and Money Laundering: The Bitter Demise of Latvian Soccer". Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ uefa.com. "UEFA EURO 2004 - History - Latvia". UEFA.com. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Johnson's vision provides cause for celebration in Latvia and Yeovil". The Independent. 22 November 2003. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
External links[]
- League321.com - Latvian football league tables, records & statistics database (in English)
| National Teams | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League System |
| ||||
| Domestic cups |
| ||||
| |||||
 | This association football article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
  | This article about sports in Latvia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- Football in Latvia
- Association football stubs
- Latvian sport stubs