SKONTO FC RIGA (Skonto Stadium)

VIRSLIGA, SKONTO FC 2-0 FK VENTSPILS, ATTENDANCE: 200

I think this trip could be filed under mad!

My trip to Estonia was booked long in advance and in the meantime a few midweek games in Latvia appeared on the radar. One of the games was a clash between the current top two teams in the Latvian Virsliga, namely Skonto FC (2nd) and FK Ventspils (1st).

I looked online and there are around 15 buses a day going from Tallinn to Riga, taking around 4.5 hours. An evening kick off could have been tight but when the kick off was brought forward to 5pm local time then it was suddenly a no-brainer in my eyes!

Departing Tallinn at 8.30am and arriving in Riga just before 1pm. This allowed a few hours to have a look round the old town. Right in the centre of Riga is the Freedom Monument, which was was paid for by the people to honour soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence.

From here it is an easy 20 minute walk up to the Skonto Stadium. The ground has a capacity of 10,000 and was opened in 2000. It is the home of the Latvian national side and Skonto FC. The ground is three sided and has a training hall in one corner of the stadium. Only one half of one side of the ground was open today as there were only around 200 supporters present. Entry was €2 but no badges or programmes were available, much to my disappointment.

Skonto FC were formed in 1991 and won the Virsliga title in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence, though they have only won it once more (in 2010) in the last 9 seasons. They have had minor successes in Europe beating Aberdeen in 1994/95 before losing to Napoli. They also held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw before losing 0-3 at Stamford Bridge in 1999.

The club has provided the core of the Latvian national side for many years including  Marians Pahars (ex-Southampton) and Igors Stepanovs (ex-Arsenal). The latest youngster off the production line is Jānis Grīnbergs who became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Latvian league, aged just 15 years and 102 days, when he scored against a penalty in a 4-0 victory over FC Daugava Daugavpils last week.

The youngster started on the bench today (and was to come on final three minutes) as the teams fought out a rather insipid first 45 minutes of football. It was actually more interesting watching the antics of Skonto coach Tamaz Pertia on the touchline as he grew more and more animated as the half wore on.

Maksims Uvarenko takes his
walk of shame after being sent off

Whatever Mr Pertia said at the interval did the trick as Skonto claimed the victory to ensure they replaced Ventspils at the top of table. Having said that it still took the aid of two penalties, both converted by Vladislavs Gutkovskis (63 & 75). 

He beat a different 'keeper on both occasions as Ventspils skipper Maksims Uvarenko, who was beaten for the first penalty, was sent off after conceding the second penalty. Uvarenko received two yellow cards in a matter of seconds, one for conceding the penalty and the second for stupidly booting the ball away whilst arguing with the referee.

Skonto had a few efforts in the remaining minutes but they were unable to really test Ventspils young replacement 'keeper Reinholds Reinis.

Two Penalties, two goalkeepers, same spot, same result!

Vladislavs Gutkovskis beats Maksims Uvarenko (left) and 

Reinholds Reinis (right) before wheeling away in celebration (below)

The Skonto H-side Ultras

you can watch match highlights by clicking here