A Guide to Skonta Riga
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Derry City travel to Latvia in a fortnight to face FK Skonto Riga, a club who completely dominated the 1990’s domestically. Founded just 18 years ago, Skonto started brightly winning the Latvian league in 1991. What followed is unlikely to be seen IN the Virsliga again, as they went on to win successive titles up until 2005- this included two years unbeaten in the mid-90’s.
Their 15th season in the league saw them finish in second place behind Metalurgs, though they haven’t returned to the summit since then. Skonto have been in 13 Latvian cup finals, winning out on 7 occasions.
They’ve also done relatively well on the European stage. A highpoint was beating Aberdeen on away goals in the 1994 UEFA Cup, while they also held Chelsea to a draw in 1999. Skonto have also met current European Champions Barcelona in recent times, though they were defeated 4-2 on aggregate.
The Candystripes will visit the Skonto Stadion, a 10000 all-seater stadium which also hosts Latvia’s national team, where they will be met by a small but passionate crowd. St Pat’s visited the Stadion last year when they met Olimps and dispatched of them easily, winning 3-0 on aggregate.
Skonto's most famous player is Marians Pahars. The former Southampton striker spent three years in the Latvian capital, scoring 30 goals in 81 appearances. However, Mihails Miholaps is the club's top scorer, with an impressive 106 goals from 139 appearances.
They’ve become a selling club though, and the side currently managed by Paul Ashworth is very inexperienced. Stephen Kenny will have to keep an eye on 22-year-old midfielder O?egs Laiz?ns, who has been a fixture with the first team since he turned 18.
Skonto’s main goal threat will come from Georgian international Vladimir Dvalishvili. Lativan international Andrejs Perep?otkins spent some time with Bohemians, though he only made three appearances for Derby County last season on a season-long loan which was cancelled by the end of Janurary.
On a side note, the League of Ireland is currently ranked 30th in Europe, with the Latvian Virsliga below it in 31st. Both countries are quite similar in the fact that football is not the first choice sport, with Basketball and Ice Hockey very prominent in Latvia.
Their 15th season in the league saw them finish in second place behind Metalurgs, though they haven’t returned to the summit since then. Skonto have been in 13 Latvian cup finals, winning out on 7 occasions.
They’ve also done relatively well on the European stage. A highpoint was beating Aberdeen on away goals in the 1994 UEFA Cup, while they also held Chelsea to a draw in 1999. Skonto have also met current European Champions Barcelona in recent times, though they were defeated 4-2 on aggregate.
The Candystripes will visit the Skonto Stadion, a 10000 all-seater stadium which also hosts Latvia’s national team, where they will be met by a small but passionate crowd. St Pat’s visited the Stadion last year when they met Olimps and dispatched of them easily, winning 3-0 on aggregate.
Skonto's most famous player is Marians Pahars. The former Southampton striker spent three years in the Latvian capital, scoring 30 goals in 81 appearances. However, Mihails Miholaps is the club's top scorer, with an impressive 106 goals from 139 appearances.
They’ve become a selling club though, and the side currently managed by Paul Ashworth is very inexperienced. Stephen Kenny will have to keep an eye on 22-year-old midfielder O?egs Laiz?ns, who has been a fixture with the first team since he turned 18.
Skonto’s main goal threat will come from Georgian international Vladimir Dvalishvili. Lativan international Andrejs Perep?otkins spent some time with Bohemians, though he only made three appearances for Derby County last season on a season-long loan which was cancelled by the end of Janurary.
On a side note, the League of Ireland is currently ranked 30th in Europe, with the Latvian Virsliga below it in 31st. Both countries are quite similar in the fact that football is not the first choice sport, with Basketball and Ice Hockey very prominent in Latvia.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile