What about BSK Dižvanagi Rēzekne? I never heard about this team... the town is on the east of Latvia if I'm not wrong, is it a "mainly Russian" team? Let's hope they'll do better than Venta, while it's nice to see Ditton back in Virsliga, better than a team like Olimps.
Great start anyway with Skonto-Metalurgs!

 

Coach moves

Ex-Russian international Sergei Yuran is to take charge of Latvian top-flight newcomers FK Ditton. The 36-year-old former SL Benfica and FC Spartak Moskva striker will sign a contract lasting the 2006 season with the option of a 12-month extension. "There are just some minor details to iron out," said Ditton president Vladislavs Driksne. Ditton won promotion by beating FK Olimps Riga in a relegation/promotion play-off. Yuran has coaching experience with FC Dinamo Stavropol, Spartak's reserves and the Russia youth teams.

Finally, Sergei Agashkov has quit as FC Torpedo Moskva's reserve-team coach to take charge of Latvian outfit FC Dinaburg. Agashkov's new employers finished fourth in the Virsliga in 2005 to qualify for the UEFA Intertoto Cup. The 43-year-old will be assisted by veteran midfielder Jurgis Pučinskis.

 

Friday, 13 January 2006

Latvia blow off the cobwebs​

by Mihail Korolev
from Riga

Latvian sides are returning to action after the winter break with a pleasant surprise for the organisers of the Virsliga.

Stable winter​

While recent seasons have too often seen the second division champions refuse to accept promotion because of financial problems, BSK Dižvanagi Rezekne have bucked the trend, confirming their participation and giving the city of Rezekne an élite club for the first time since 1999.

Russian backing​

Meanwhile, SK Ditton Daugavpils - back in the top division after being relegated in 2004 - are also making big plans. Russian investors have arrived at the club, installing former Russia striker Sergei Yuran as the new coach, meaning there should be no changes to the eight sides due to compete.

Professional body​

With the clubs seemingly in good shape, the Latvian Football Federation has founded a new professional football league body in collaboration with the top-flight clubs. The date has been set for the start of the new season, with Skonto FC facing FHK Liepajas Metalurgs - the side who wrested the title off them in 2005 - in the first round on 8 April.

Metalurgs busy​

Champions Metalurgs are the first side to end their winter break as they prepare to make a debut appearance at the Commonwealth Cup in Moscow, which brings together the champions of all the former Soviet republics. Metalurgs have parted company with their charismatic captain Viktors Dobrecovs, the striker joining the champions of Kazakhstan FK Aktobe.

Skonto determined​

Skonto's English coach Paul Ashworth is keen for the Riga side to steal back their crown and has reinforced his squad with two experienced defenders, Slovakian Jozef Piacek and Latvian international Vladimirs Žavoronkovs, who has joined from FK Ventspils.

New signings​

Ventspils have also parted company with Aleksandar Gruber and Jirí Krohmer but have signed former Latvia midfielder Mihails Zizilevs and goalkeeper Andris Vanins. Andrei Agafonov and Deniss Romanovs are still waiting to see whether they will stay at the club after their contracts expired.

Coaching change​

There has been just one coaching change in pre-season as former FC Torpedo Moskva player and reserve-team coach Sergei Agashkov took charge of FC Dinaburg. He is the third Russian to work with the Daugavpils side in the six months following Roman Grigorchuk's departure to Ventspils.

 

Some friendlies

Skonto - Ekranas (Lietuva) - 5:0 (1:0) ​

Skonto: Doroševs, Žavoronkovs (Usanovs 46.), Isakovs (Kožans 46.), Zakreševskis (Pjačeks 46.), Eliava (Gamezardašvili 46.), Sluka, O.Laizāns (Blanks 46.), Štolcers (Perepļotkins 46.), Labukas (Višņakovs 46.), Semjonovs, Kalniņš (Čaladze 46.).

Goals : Žavoronkovs penalty kick, Perepļotkins 2, Čaladze, Kožans.

Ventspils – Ditton – 3:0 (2:0)​

Ventspils (3-4-3): Davidovs, Gorkšs, Ndeki, Soleičuks, Bička, Ziziļevs, Kačanovs, Rimkus, Sļesarčuks, Butriks

Ditton: Pavlovs (Naglis, 75.), Laško (Kaļiņins, 46.), Al. Ivanovs (Abramenko, 46.), Golubevs (Laško, 85.), Kļicovs (N. Poļakovs, 46.), Maksimenko, Afanasjevs, Tolkačs, Vaņušins (Zarudnijs, 46.), Pertija, Daņilovs (Solovjovs, 61.)

Goals: Rimkus (40.), Sļesarčuks (43.), Butriks (61.).

 

I wonder if Stolcers is just training with the team or has he signed a contract with Skonto ?

 

They have updated the latvian football federation website :
http://lff.hosting.lv/lv/news/

It looks better, imo.

 

Website : http://sport.metalurgs.lv/football/home.html​

Colors : Home : Red Away : Blue
Coach :
Squad :​

--------------------------​

Website : http://www.dinaburg.com/​

Colors : Yellow and black​

Coach :
Squad :​

--------------------------​

Website : http://www.dittonsk.lv/​

Colors :
Coach :
Squad :​

---------------------------​

Website : http://www.dizvanagi.lv/​

Colors :
Coach :
Squad :​

------------------------------​

Website : http://www.interunico.lv/lv/sport.htm​

Colors :
Coach :
Squad :​

------------------------------------​

Website :​

Colors :
Coach :
Squad :​

-----------------------------​

Website : http://www.skontofc.lv/lat/​

Colors : Home : Red Away : Blue
Coach :
Squad :​

-----------------------------​

Website : http://www.fkventspils.lv/​

Colors : Home : Yellow and Blue Away : Red
Coach :
Squad :​

 

Friendly

Skonto – Šahtar 2:3 (0:1).​

Skonto: Doroševs, Žavoronkovs, Isakovs (Zakreševskis, 65.), Pjačeks, Eliava, Astafjevs, Sluka (Miholaps, 65.), Semjonovs, Perepļotkins (Višņakovs, 54.), Labukas (Čaladze, 46.), Štolcers

 

The calendar of the new season has been unveiled :

http://www.lff.lv/lv/virsliga/kalendars/

 

Friday, 10 February 2006

Ditton set for Latvian top-flight return​

by Mikhail Korolev

The Latvian Virsliga starts in two months time and preparations for the season are already under way as squads are strengthened and new coaches appointed.

Ditton progress​

The biggest surprise of last season surely came from SK Ditton Daugavpils as they sealed a place in the top flight for only the second time in their history. Russian Sergei Juran is inexperienced as a coach, but his achievements as a player for FC Dynamo Kyiv, SL Benfica, FC Porto and FC Spartak Moskva command instant respect.

Experience needed​

Juran wasted no time in signing experienced Ukrainian midfielder Yuri Gritsyna. Gritsyna has already played in the Latvian league for FHK Liepajas Metalurgs, also having had spells at FC Dynamo Kyiv and Russian sides FC Uralan Elista and FC Arsenal Tula.

Spanish friendlies​

Meanwhile, Skonto FC took part in a pre-season international tournament in Spain. Paul Ashworth's team met FC Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Spartak Moskva and Fredrikstad FK, beating Spartak but losing their other two games. Trialist Andrejs Štolcers, formerly of English Premiership side Fulham FC, was prolific in Spain, scoring three goals- he is widely expected to sign for Skonto soon.

Stepanovs interest​

A big story for followers of Latvian football was the recent appointment of Igors Stepanovs as captain of Grasshopper-Club in Switzerland. The current Latvian Player of the Year was appointed by new coach Krassimir Balakov.

 

Famous names return to Skonto​

Skonto will surely get a lot of experience from Astafjevs and Stolcers.
I have added a poll aswell.

 

Lights, cameras, latvian Action (Uefa.com reports)​

 

Day 1 :

FK Riga 0 - 1 FK Ventspils

FC Dinaburg 2 - 1 RSK Dižvanagi

FK Jurmala 0 - 1 FC Ditton

Skonto FC 0 - 0 FHK Liepājas Metalurgs

Platoche at work.

 

I hope Skonto, but we missed the first chance to beat Metalurgs, damn

 

Skonto is not the same anyomore!

 

Day 2 :

FK Ventspils - FK Skonto : 1-0

RSK Dižvanagi - FC Ditton : 0 - 3

FC Dinaburg - FK Rīga : 1 - 0

FHK Liepājas Metalurgs - FK Jūrmala : 3 - 2

 

Good work Fobal klub! :thumbsup:

Btw,what about this Ditton team of Serguei Yuran,does they have a chance to win the league?and why is Skonto so poor....and Metalurgs,are they still the favourites to win the title?
Finaly,what is the last news about the baltic league,that will be a great idea for the tree countries,i believe! :thumbsup: ,tk....

 

Dunno if Ditton can win the league but they have earn a good result against Liepajas

FHK Liepājas Metalurgs - FC Ditton : 0 - 0

FC Dinaburg - Skonto FC : 0 - 2

FK Rīga - RSK Dižvanagi : 1 - 0

FK Jūrmala - FK Ventspils : 1 - 1​

 

1. kārta



07.05. 13.00 Ilūkste - Līvāni (Ilūkstē )

06.05. 15.00 Gulbene/Rubate - Preiļi (Gulbenē )

06.05. 14.00 Aizkraukle - Jēkabpils SC (Aizkrauklē )

06.05. 14.00 Pļaviņas - Kvarcs (Madona) (Gostiņos)

04.05. 14.00 Upesciems (Rīgas raj.) - Melnā roze (Rīga) (Ķekavā )

29.04. 11.00 Ādaži - Kauguri (Carnikavā )

07.05. 19.00 Super Nova (Rīga) - Ofriss (Rīga) (Rīgā, stadiona "Daugava" mākslīgā seguma laukumā )

Tukums 2000 - OSC/FK 33 (Ogre) (Tukumā )

07.05. 14.00 Iecava - Viesulis (Rīga) (Bauskā )

06.05. 18.00 Daugava-90 - Olanija (Olaine) (Rīgā, stadiona "Daugava" mākslīgā seguma laukumā )

04.05. 16.00 Hemats (Rīga) - Priekuļi (Cēsu raj.) (Carnikavā )

Rīnūži (Rīga) - Salaspils

05.05. Honda (Ventspils) - Autonet (Dobele) (Ventspilī )

Varavīksne (Liepāja) - Linde-N (Kuldīga) (Liepājā )

Miku/UPTK (Liepāja) - Saldus FK (Liepājā ) :star:

 

Saldus means "sweet" in Lithuanian

 

How has Pereploytkhin been doing for Skonto Riga?

 

He scored twice in his last game.

Skonto FC - RSK Dižvanagi : 6 - 0

The pitch is almost green ! :eekani:

FC Ditton - FC Dinaburg : 1 - 1

FK Jūrmala - FK Rīga : 3 - 0

FK Ventspils FHK Liepājas Metalurgs : 1 - 1

 

Usual suspects lead in Latvia​

 

Last week-end result :

FK Riga - FK Ditton : 0 - 0

FC Dinaburg - FHK Liepājas Metalurgs : 0 - 2

FK Jūrmala - Skonto FC : 0 - 1

RSK Dižvanagi - FK Ventspils : 0 - 3

 

Latvian cup :

1St Round :
Ilūkste - Līvāni 2:0
Gulbene/Rubate - Preiļi 2:0
Aizkraukle - Jēkabpils SC 0:7
Pļaviņas - Kvarcs (Madona) 0:4
Upesciems (Rīgas raj.) - Melnā roze (Rīga) 0:4
Ādaži - Kauguri 0:5
Super Nova (Rīga) - Ofriss (Rīga) 1:6
Tukums 2000 - OSC/FK 33 (Ogre) 1:3
Iecava - Viesulis (Rīga) 0:1
Daugava-90 (Rīga) - Olanija (Olaine) 3:2 (2:2)
Hemats (Rīga) - Priekuļi (Cēsu raj.) 1:3
Rīnūži (Rīga) - Salaspils 14:0
Honda (Ventspils) - Autonet (Dobele) 9:0
Varavīksne (Liepāja) - Linde-N (Kuldīga) 1:3
Miku/UPTK (Liepāja) - Saldus FK 4:2 :lazy:

2d Round
Ilūkste - Gulbene/Rubate
Jēkabpils SC - Kvarcs (Madona)
Melnā roze (Rīga) - Jaunība (Rīga)
Kauguri - Ofriss (Rīga)
OSC/FK 33 (Ogre) - Viesulis (Rīga)
Daugava-90 (Rīga) - Priekuļi (Cēsu raj.)
Rīnūži (Rīga) - Honda (Ventspils)
Linde-N (Kuldīga) - Miku/UPTK (Liepāja)