The Latvian national football team (Izlase in Latvian) is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia, and represents the country in international football competitions, such as World Cup and the European Championships.
Latvia played its first match in 1922, a game against Estonia; the result was a 1-1 draw. Latvia are by far the most successful of the Baltic states, as well as being only team qualified to final stage of European Championship, they won the Baltic Cup 19 times.
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 the November 16th of that year.
Latvia was a surprise qualifer for the 2004 European Football Championship, after they beat Turkey in a playoff to reach the final tournament.
Vitalijs Astafjevs has played for Latvia more times than anyone else, with 112 caps currently. Eriks Petersons is the nation's top goal scorer with 24, with modern-day star Maris Verpakovskis is second with 18.
World Cup record
- 1930 - Did not enter
- 1934 - Did not enter
- 1938 - Did not qualify
- 1950 to 1990 - Did not enter, was part of USSR
- 1994 - Did not qualify
- 1998 - Did not qualify
- 2002 - Did not qualify
European Championship record
Famous players
Before 1940:
- Eriks Petersons
- Janis Lidmanis
After 1991:
Top Latvia goalscorers
| Player
| Latvia career
| Goals (Caps)
|
| Eriks Petersons
| 1929-1939
| 24 (63)
|
| Maris Verpakovskis
| 1999-present
| 18 (44)
|
| Marian Pahars
| 1996-present
| 15 (63)
|
| Alberts Seibelis
| 1925-1939
| 14 (54)
|
| Ilja Vestermans
| 1935-1938
| 13 (23)
|
| Mihails Zemlinskis
| 1992-present
| 12 (102)
|
| Vitalijs Astafjevs
| 1992-present
| 11 (110)
|
| Arnolds Taurins
| 1925-1935
| 10 (39)
|
Latvia coaches
Current roster
See the EURO 2004 squad.
External links
