FK Ventspils
Encyclopedia
FK Ventspils is a Latvia
n football
club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions
in Ventspils
city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament.
In total, the club has won four league titles and four Latvian Cups. At the end of the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011 seasons, they became Virsliga
champions.
In 2009, they became the first Latvian club to participate in the group stages of UEFA
competitions after beating BATE
football club from Belarus
.
Sergei Podpaly
has been the manager
of the club since 17 January 2011, replacing Nunzio Zavattieri, who had been FK Ventspils manager since 2009.
, but the whole of Latvian football, Vladimir Chikinov.
This was the golden line-up: Leonid Virko, Konstantin Zhurkevich, Aleksandr Busarov, Valery Yashenko, Aleksandr Tronev, Ariy Shmerling, Vladimir Samohvalov, Aleksandr Novash, Nikolay Chaevky, Nikolay Pozdnyakov, Vladimir Chikinov, Viktor Yurinov, Viktor Litvinenko, Aleksandr Rakicky, Valentin Ipolitov, Vladimir Kutuzov, Valentin Vetrenko, Genady Hrustalov.
Of course, the victories did not come easy. There was a huge effort put into both – the matches and training. However, at that time they had quite a modest material and technical basis. They trained in the sport hall of Ventspils port, had training camps in Piltene
and went to Moldova
several times. They had close contacts with a children’s sport school from which talented youth players often came into the team. Whereas these days there are limits on foreign born players, at that time it was an obligation for the team to have two players younger than 18 years of age in the line-up. Thus, V.Kutuzov, V.Ivankovich, N.Dishlov and later Y.Romanenko, V.Fedotov and others appeared in the team.
In 1963 Ventspils gained a place and the rights to play in the Latvian championship (Virsliga
). The next major achievement for "Venta" came in 1967, when it won the Latvian Cup. In 1969 "Venta" were champions of Latvia
, in that season "Venta" got 43 points, 20 matches won, 3 drawn and 3 lost. In the 1970s the team lost its position, in the 1980s it lost its financial support and became defunct for some years. In 1994 Venta returned to 1. liga
but after that season many players left the club as FK Nafta was formed. Until the merger Venta played in 1. liga.
. FK “Ventspils” has rapidly developed and gained the reputation of a serious Latvian club, and won various trophies. FK Ventspils has won Virslīga
in both – 2006 and 2007 seasons.
In 2003 FK "Ventspils” won the Latvian Cup for the first time in the team's history. The team won this honorary trophy the next two years in a row. And only the main height – golden medals of the Latvian championship – hadn't been achieved by FK “Ventspils” for a long time. The team won silver and bronze medals of the Latvian championship many times, but everybody in the club dreamed of the gold. And finally, in 2006 FK "Ventspils" became the champions in Latvia
by winning the golden medals of the Latvian championship!
The Ukrainian specialist Roman Hryhorchuk
led FK Ventspils to the main trophy.
Before that, in 2003, FK Ventspils won the Latvian Cup for the first time . Also in 2004 and in 2005 FK Ventspils won the trophy, but only managed to finish second or third in the Latvian first division championship Virsliga
. Finally in 2006 Roman Hryhorchuk
, the head coach from Ukraine
, took the team to the league championship. Before him, the team was managed by Russia
n coach Boris Sinicin, an English coach Paul Anthony Ashworth, a Lithuanian coach Saulius Širmslis and a local Latvian coach, Sergejs Semjonovs
.
Despite being a relatively new club, FK Ventspils has a quite rich and interesting Eurocups history. In 1999 FK Ventspils had its debut in the Intertoto Cup and managed to beat Norwegian team Vålerenga Fotball on aggregate. Later the club took part in the UEFA Cup
, thus allowing fans to see matches against major European clubs as VfB Stuttgart
, Rosenborg BK, Brøndby IF
, Newcastle United F.C.
. The draw (0:0) in the away match against Newcastle United F.C.
may be called the greatest achievement of FK Ventspils until 2009. However, even more memorable are the matches against Brøndby IF
in 2004 when FK Ventspils managed to eliminate the Danish club from the UEFA Cup
.
On 17 July 2007 FK Ventspils made its debut in the UEFA
Champions league
. The yellow-and-blue started their historical trip of the most prestigious club tournament of Europe
in Wales
, where they played against TNS
. The author of the first FK Ventspils goal in the Champions league
was the forward Vits Rimkus
.
One week later, on 25 July, FK Ventspils won their first victory in the Champions league
, beating TNS 2:1 in the home match. Goals were scored by defenders Jean-Paul Ndeki
and Deniss Kačanovs
. In the second qualifying round the team of Roman Hryhorchuk
played against FC Red Bull Salzburg, led by the legendary Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni
and lost.
In 2008 FK Ventspils participated in the UEFA
Champions league
for the second time. And the first opponent of the team was again the champions of Wales
– Llanelli A.F.C.
.
In the 2009–2010 season, FK Ventspils became the first Latvian club to participate in the group stages of UEFA
club competitions after beating FC BATE
of Belarus
. FK Ventspils played in the UEFA
Europa League's group stage against Sporting Lisbon, Hertha Berlin and SC Heerenveen but didn't manage to qualify for the knock-out stages of the tournament.
In 2010 FK Ventspils grabbed the second place in the national championship, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League first qualification stage. They were knocked out of the tournament in the second qualification stage by Red Star Belgrade
. In 2011 the club won the national championship, securing its fourth Virsliga title.
*
*
(captain)
*
*
*
*
*
Reserve team members*
For recent squad changes see: List of Latvian football transfers winter 2010-2011 and List of Latvian football transfers summer 2011.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions
Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions
Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions, more commonly called the Ventspils Stadions, is a multi-purpose stadium in Ventspils, Latvia. It is currently used mostly for football matches. Ventspils Stadions is the home stadium for FK Ventspils, and one of the most famous football stadia in the Latvia. The...
in Ventspils
Ventspils
Ventspils is a city in northwestern Latvia in the Courland historical region of Latvia, the sixth largest city in the country. As of 2006, Ventspils had a population of 43,806. Ventspils is situated on the Venta River and the Baltic Sea, and has an ice-free port...
city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament.
In total, the club has won four league titles and four Latvian Cups. At the end of the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011 seasons, they became Virsliga
Virsliga
-Past Virslīga winners:-Top scorers:-Riga football league winners:* 1910 Union Riga* 1911 British FC Riga* 1912 Union Riga* 1913 British FC Riga* 1914 British FC Riga* 1915 British FC Riga-Champions of Latvia before Virslīga:* 1922 Ķeizarmežs...
champions.
In 2009, they became the first Latvian club to participate in the group stages of UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
competitions after beating BATE
Bate
-People:*Ahmade Bate , Kurdish poet and cleric*Anthony Bate , English actor*C. T. Bate , Canadian politician*Charles Spence Bate , British zoologist and dentist*Dorothea Bate , British paleontologist...
football club from Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
.
Sergei Podpaly
Sergei Podpaly
Sergei Ivanovich Podpaly is a retired association football player and now coach...
has been the manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
of the club since 17 January 2011, replacing Nunzio Zavattieri, who had been FK Ventspils manager since 2009.
History
FK Ventspils was founded in 1997 with the merger of two former Ventspils clubs – FK Venta and FK Nafta. Its predecessor Venta was one of the leading clubs in the Latvian league in 1960s.FK Venta
The next notable success for “Venta” was in 1967, when they won the Latvian Cup. By that time they had quite a fighting fit line-up, and 1969 already was their golden year when Venta became champions. During the tournament they gained 43 points; 20 matches won, 3 matches ended with a draw and only 3 matches lost. Additionally, they lost only in the away matches. They scored 45 goals and 16 conceded. At that time Venta's leader was a player manager, who is well known not only to the admirers of VentspilsVentspils
Ventspils is a city in northwestern Latvia in the Courland historical region of Latvia, the sixth largest city in the country. As of 2006, Ventspils had a population of 43,806. Ventspils is situated on the Venta River and the Baltic Sea, and has an ice-free port...
, but the whole of Latvian football, Vladimir Chikinov.
This was the golden line-up: Leonid Virko, Konstantin Zhurkevich, Aleksandr Busarov, Valery Yashenko, Aleksandr Tronev, Ariy Shmerling, Vladimir Samohvalov, Aleksandr Novash, Nikolay Chaevky, Nikolay Pozdnyakov, Vladimir Chikinov, Viktor Yurinov, Viktor Litvinenko, Aleksandr Rakicky, Valentin Ipolitov, Vladimir Kutuzov, Valentin Vetrenko, Genady Hrustalov.
Of course, the victories did not come easy. There was a huge effort put into both – the matches and training. However, at that time they had quite a modest material and technical basis. They trained in the sport hall of Ventspils port, had training camps in Piltene
Piltene
-Population:Population : 40,000 -History:*September 1234: Bishopric of Courland established , consisting of three separate enclaves after numerous distributions of the Couronian lands among the Bishops of Courland, and of Riga, and the Teutonic Order.*1290: The cathedral chapter is incorporated...
and went to Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
several times. They had close contacts with a children’s sport school from which talented youth players often came into the team. Whereas these days there are limits on foreign born players, at that time it was an obligation for the team to have two players younger than 18 years of age in the line-up. Thus, V.Kutuzov, V.Ivankovich, N.Dishlov and later Y.Romanenko, V.Fedotov and others appeared in the team.
In 1963 Ventspils gained a place and the rights to play in the Latvian championship (Virsliga
Virsliga
-Past Virslīga winners:-Top scorers:-Riga football league winners:* 1910 Union Riga* 1911 British FC Riga* 1912 Union Riga* 1913 British FC Riga* 1914 British FC Riga* 1915 British FC Riga-Champions of Latvia before Virslīga:* 1922 Ķeizarmežs...
). The next major achievement for "Venta" came in 1967, when it won the Latvian Cup. In 1969 "Venta" were champions of Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, in that season "Venta" got 43 points, 20 matches won, 3 drawn and 3 lost. In the 1970s the team lost its position, in the 1980s it lost its financial support and became defunct for some years. In 1994 Venta returned to 1. liga
1. Liga
1. Liga is the third-highest ice hockey league in Switzerland, behind Nationalliga A and Nationalliga B. Thirty-six teams compete in three divisions – East Switzerland, Central Switzerland and West Switzerland.-East Switzerland:*EHC Arosa*GDT Bellinzona...
but after that season many players left the club as FK Nafta was formed. Until the merger Venta played in 1. liga.
FK Nafta
FK Nafta was formed in 1995, in the first season the club won its 2nd league division and earned a promotion to the 1st league. In its only season there the club finished higher than FK Venta. After the season the teams merged to form FK Ventspils.FK Ventspils
New, modern history of football club “Ventspils” began in 1997, the year of team’s foundation. In February 2007, the club that represents the town on the bank of the river Venta with the population of 45 thousand people, celebrated its 10th anniversary. In such a short period of time FK “Ventspils” has become one of the strongest clubs in LatviaLatvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. FK “Ventspils” has rapidly developed and gained the reputation of a serious Latvian club, and won various trophies. FK Ventspils has won Virslīga
Virsliga
-Past Virslīga winners:-Top scorers:-Riga football league winners:* 1910 Union Riga* 1911 British FC Riga* 1912 Union Riga* 1913 British FC Riga* 1914 British FC Riga* 1915 British FC Riga-Champions of Latvia before Virslīga:* 1922 Ķeizarmežs...
in both – 2006 and 2007 seasons.
In 2003 FK "Ventspils” won the Latvian Cup for the first time in the team's history. The team won this honorary trophy the next two years in a row. And only the main height – golden medals of the Latvian championship – hadn't been achieved by FK “Ventspils” for a long time. The team won silver and bronze medals of the Latvian championship many times, but everybody in the club dreamed of the gold. And finally, in 2006 FK "Ventspils" became the champions in Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
by winning the golden medals of the Latvian championship!
The Ukrainian specialist Roman Hryhorchuk
Roman Hryhorchuk
Roman Hryhorchuk is a retired Ukrainian football player and current manager of FC Chornomorets Odesa.-Player career:He started playing with FC Lysonia Berezhany and then FC Temp Shepetivka...
led FK Ventspils to the main trophy.
Before that, in 2003, FK Ventspils won the Latvian Cup for the first time . Also in 2004 and in 2005 FK Ventspils won the trophy, but only managed to finish second or third in the Latvian first division championship Virsliga
Virsliga
-Past Virslīga winners:-Top scorers:-Riga football league winners:* 1910 Union Riga* 1911 British FC Riga* 1912 Union Riga* 1913 British FC Riga* 1914 British FC Riga* 1915 British FC Riga-Champions of Latvia before Virslīga:* 1922 Ķeizarmežs...
. Finally in 2006 Roman Hryhorchuk
Roman Hryhorchuk
Roman Hryhorchuk is a retired Ukrainian football player and current manager of FC Chornomorets Odesa.-Player career:He started playing with FC Lysonia Berezhany and then FC Temp Shepetivka...
, the head coach from Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, took the team to the league championship. Before him, the team was managed by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n coach Boris Sinicin, an English coach Paul Anthony Ashworth, a Lithuanian coach Saulius Širmslis and a local Latvian coach, Sergejs Semjonovs
Sergejs Semjonovs
Sergejs Semjonovs is a Latvian football manager and a former footballer.-Playing career:Sergejs Semjonovs was one of the most reliable defenders in Daugava Rīga coached by Jānis Skredelis in mid 1980s when the club was one of the strongest sides in the Soviet first league. He played 9 seasons with...
.
Despite being a relatively new club, FK Ventspils has a quite rich and interesting Eurocups history. In 1999 FK Ventspils had its debut in the Intertoto Cup and managed to beat Norwegian team Vålerenga Fotball on aggregate. Later the club took part in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, thus allowing fans to see matches against major European clubs as VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
, Rosenborg BK, Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
, Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. The draw (0:0) in the away match against Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
may be called the greatest achievement of FK Ventspils until 2009. However, even more memorable are the matches against Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
in 2004 when FK Ventspils managed to eliminate the Danish club from the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
.
On 17 July 2007 FK Ventspils made its debut in the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
Champions league
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. The yellow-and-blue started their historical trip of the most prestigious club tournament of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, where they played against TNS
The New Saints F.C.
The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club , also known as The New Saints or simply TNS is a full-time-professional British football club representing Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain in Powys, Wales and Oswestry in Shropshire, England . They play in the Welsh Premier League...
. The author of the first FK Ventspils goal in the Champions league
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
was the forward Vits Rimkus
Vits Rimkus
Vīts Rimkus is a football striker from Latvia, currently playing for Finikas Ayias Marinas Chrisohus in Cypriot Fourth Division, after being released by FK Ekranas in Lithuania....
.
One week later, on 25 July, FK Ventspils won their first victory in the Champions league
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, beating TNS 2:1 in the home match. Goals were scored by defenders Jean-Paul Ndeki
Jean-Paul Ndeki
Jean-Paul Ndeki is a footballer who currently plays for AEP Paphos FC.-Playing career:-Personal:His brother, Edouard Oum Ndeki, was a professional footballer who played in Turkey and Greece.-References:...
and Deniss Kačanovs
Deniss Kacanovs
Deniss Kačanovs is a football defender from Latvia, currently playing for Persema Malang in Indonesia Premier League.- Club Career :...
. In the second qualifying round the team of Roman Hryhorchuk
Roman Hryhorchuk
Roman Hryhorchuk is a retired Ukrainian football player and current manager of FC Chornomorets Odesa.-Player career:He started playing with FC Lysonia Berezhany and then FC Temp Shepetivka...
played against FC Red Bull Salzburg, led by the legendary Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni , sometimes known as "Trap" or "Il Trap", is an Italian football coach and former player, considered the most successful club coach in the history of Serie A. As a player he was part of Italy's squad at the 1962 FIFA World Cup....
and lost.
In 2008 FK Ventspils participated in the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
Champions league
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
for the second time. And the first opponent of the team was again the champions of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
– Llanelli A.F.C.
Llanelli A.F.C.
Llanelli Association Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club that plays in the Welsh Premier League for the 2010–11 season. The team has been based at Stebonheath Park since 1920, and as of 2009 is managed by Andy Legg....
.
In the 2009–2010 season, FK Ventspils became the first Latvian club to participate in the group stages of UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
club competitions after beating FC BATE
FC BATE
FC BATE Borisov is a Belarusian football team playing in the city of Borisov. They compete in the Belarusian Premier League and are the reigning champions. BATE are the only Belarusian team to have qualified for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and for the group stage of the UEFA...
of Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
. FK Ventspils played in the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
Europa League's group stage against Sporting Lisbon, Hertha Berlin and SC Heerenveen but didn't manage to qualify for the knock-out stages of the tournament.
In 2010 FK Ventspils grabbed the second place in the national championship, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League first qualification stage. They were knocked out of the tournament in the second qualification stage by Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
. In 2011 the club won the national championship, securing its fourth Virsliga title.
Honours
- VirsligaVirsliga-Past Virslīga winners:-Top scorers:-Riga football league winners:* 1910 Union Riga* 1911 British FC Riga* 1912 Union Riga* 1913 British FC Riga* 1914 British FC Riga* 1915 British FC Riga-Champions of Latvia before Virslīga:* 1922 Ķeizarmežs...
winners- 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011
- VirsligaVirsliga-Past Virslīga winners:-Top scorers:-Riga football league winners:* 1910 Union Riga* 1911 British FC Riga* 1912 Union Riga* 1913 British FC Riga* 1914 British FC Riga* 1915 British FC Riga-Champions of Latvia before Virslīga:* 1922 Ķeizarmežs...
runners-up- 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010
- Latvian Cup winners
- 2003, 2004, 2005, 2011
- Baltic LeagueBaltic LeagueThe Baltic League is a Baltic football club tournament, launched in 2007 inspired by the now defunct Scandinavian tournament Royal League and by the Baltic Basketball League. The top four club sides from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania take part in the competition...
winners- 2010
Participation in Latvian Championships
| Year | Division | Position |
| 1996–1997 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 1997 The 1997 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the seventh domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Ninth teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.-Final table:-Match... |
4th |
| 1997–1998 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 1998 The 1998 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the 8th domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.-Final table:-Match... |
3rd |
| 1998–1999 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 1999 The 1999 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the ninth domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.-Final table:-Match Table:-Awards:-Skonto... |
3rd |
| 1999–2000 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2000 The 2000 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the tenth domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.-Final table:-Match... |
2nd |
| 2000–2001 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2001 The 2001 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the eleventh domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.-Final table:-Match... |
2nd |
| 2001–2002 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2002 The 2002 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the twelfth domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.-Final table:-Match... |
2nd |
| 2002–2003 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2003 The 2003 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the thirteenth domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.-Final... |
3rd |
| 2003–2004 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2004 The 2004 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the 14th domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.-Final table:-Topscorers:-Awards:-References:... |
3rd |
| 2004–2005 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2005 The 2005 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the 15th domestic football competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with FK Liepājas Metalurgs claiming the title.-Final... |
3rd |
| 2005–2006 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2006 -League standings:-Topscorers:-Awards:-References:... |
1st |
| 2006–2007 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2007 The 2007 Latvian Higher League season was the 16th Virslīga season. It started on 7 April 2007 and finished on 4 December 2007. Eight teams competed in the league, playing each other four times over the course of the season, twice at home and twice away.... |
1st |
| 2007–2008 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2008 The 2008 Virslīga season was the 17th Virslīga season. It began on 5 April 2008 with the first round of games and ended on 9 November 2008 with the final matches of the championship and relegation rounds. Ventspils were the defending champions.... |
1st |
| 2008–2009 | Virsliga Latvian Higher League 2009 Latvian Higher League 2009 was the 18th season of top-tier football in Latvia. It began on 14 March 2009 with the first round of games and ended on 8 November 2009 with the 36th round of matches. Ventspils were the defending champions.... |
2nd |
| 2009–2010 | Virsliga | 2nd |
| 2010–2011 | Virsliga 2011 Latvian Higher League The 2011 Latvian Higher League is the 20th season of top-tier football in Latvia. It began on 15 April 2011 with the first round of games. Skonto FC are the defending champions, having won their 15th league title the previous season.... |
1st |
Participation in Baltic League
| Year | Position |
| 2007/08 | Runners-up |
| 2008/09 | Semi finals |
| 2009/10 | Winner |
| 2010/11 2010–11 Baltic League The 2010–11 Baltic League is a 16-team football tournament held in the Baltic states. Five top teams from each participating country – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – along with the winner of the 2009–10 season will play a 4 round and 2 legged play-off style knockout tournament... |
Runners-up |
European record
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | 1 |  |
Vålerenga | 2–0 | 0–1 | 2–1 |
| 2 |  |
Kocaelispor Kocaelispor Kocaelispor, is the football team of İzmit, Turkey. They were founded in 1966 and played in the Turkish football league between 1980–1988 and 1992–2003. The best result for them was the 4th position in 1992–93 season... |
1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | ||
| 2001–02 | UEFA Cup | QR |  |
HJK HJK Helsinki Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi , internationally known as HJK Helsinki, is a Finnish football club, based in the capital Helsinki... |
0–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 |
| 2002–03 | UEFA Cup | QR |  |
Lugano AC Lugano FC Lugano is a Swiss football club based in Lugano. The club was founded as AC Lugano in 2004 as a result of relegation and financial situation of FC Lugano, which was founded in 1908. In 2008, the club reverted to its original name, FC Lugano. They play at the Stadio Cornaredo... |
3–0 | 0–1 | 3–1 |
| 1 |  |
Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons... |
1–4 | 1–4 | 2–8 | ||
| 2003–04 | UEFA Cup | QR |  |
Wisła Płock | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–3 (a Away goals rule The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal... ) |
| 1 | |
Rosenborg | 1–4 | 0–6 | 1–10 | ||
| 2004–05 | UEFA Cup UEFA Cup 2004-05 The 2004–05 UEFA Cup season was won by CSKA Moscow, coming from behind in the final against Sporting Clube de Portugal. It was the first win by a Russian side in any European competition, and was even more impressive considering that the final was held at the José Alvalade Stadium, the home of... |
1QR |  |
B68 Toftir B68 Toftir B68 Toftir is a Faroese football club, playing in the village of Toftir in Vodafonedeildin. After being promoted to the 1. deild in 1980, they have won the league 3 times. . In 2004 they were relegated. 2005 saw them bounce back to top flight with a no 1 placement in the second best division... |
8–0 | 3–0 | 11–0 |
| 2QR |  |
Brøndby Brøndby IF Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short... |
0–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 (a Away goals rule The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal... ) |
||
| 1 | |
Amica Wronki Amica Wronki Amica Wronki was a Polish football club based in Wronki, Poland.The history of SSA Amica Sport goes back to 1992 when the Amica company wanted to sponsor a football team in the town of Wronki where their factory was located. The company's increasing profits gave the new team tremendous financial... |
1–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 | ||
| 2005–06 | UEFA Cup UEFA Cup 2005-06 The UEFA Cup 2005–06 season was won by Sevilla FC, beating Middlesbrough FC in the final. It was the first victory for Sevilla in a European competition, and the first appearance by Middlesbrough in a European final. The final took place at Philips Stadion, in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The match was... |
1QR |  |
Linfield Linfield F.C. Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team.... |
1–2 | 1–0 | 2–2 (a Away goals rule The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal... ) |
| 2006–07 | UEFA Cup UEFA Cup 2006-07 The 2006–07 UEFA Cup was the 36th UEFA Cup, Europe's second tier club football tournament. On 16 May 2007, at Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Sevilla won their second consecutive UEFA Cup, defeating Espanyol 3–1 on penalties after the match finished 2–2 after extra time... |
1QR |  |
Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur is a sports club in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is best known for its football team. The club was founded in 1908 and has been fairly successful over the years. Its last Icelandic title came in 1991, when the team won the Icelandic championship.The club operates several other... |
2–1 | 2–0 | 4–1 |
| 2QR |  |
Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
0–1 | 0–0 | 0–1 | ||
| 2007–08 | UEFA Champions League | 1QR |  |
The New Saints The New Saints F.C. The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club , also known as The New Saints or simply TNS is a full-time-professional British football club representing Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain in Powys, Wales and Oswestry in Shropshire, England . They play in the Welsh Premier League... |
2–1 | 2–3 | 4–4 (a Away goals rule The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal... ) |
| 2QR |  |
Red Bull Salzburg | 0–3 | 0–4 | 0–7 | ||
| 2008–09 | UEFA Champions League | 1QR | |
Llanelli Llanelli A.F.C. Llanelli Association Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club that plays in the Welsh Premier League for the 2010–11 season. The team has been based at Stebonheath Park since 1920, and as of 2009 is managed by Andy Legg.... |
4–0 | 0–1 | 4–1 |
| 2QR | |
Brann | 2–1 | 0–1 | 2–2 (a Away goals rule The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal... ) |
||
| 2009–10 | UEFA Champions League | 2QR |  |
F91 Dudelange F91 Dudelange F91 Dudelange is a football club, based in Dudelange, in southern Luxembourg.Dudelange's team colors are red and yellow vertically-striped shirts, with red shorts and socks.-History:... |
3–0 | 3–1 | 6–1 |
| 3QR |  |
BATE FC BATE FC BATE Borisov is a Belarusian football team playing in the city of Borisov. They compete in the Belarusian Premier League and are the reigning champions. BATE are the only Belarusian team to have qualified for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and for the group stage of the UEFA... |
1–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 (a Away goals rule The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal... ) |
||
| 4QR | |
Zürich | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–5 | ||
| UEFA Europa League | 1R | |
Hertha BSC | 0–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | |
 |
Heerenveen | 0–0 | 0–5 | 0–5 | |||
 |
Sporting CP | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | |||
| 2010–11 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR |  |
FK Teteks FK Teteks FK Teteks is a football club from the city of Tetovo in the Republic of Macedonia. They currently play in the Macedonian First League.-History:... |
0–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
| 2011–12 | UEFA Europa League | 2QR | |
Shakhtsyor Salihorsk | 3–2 | 1–0 | 4–2 |
| 3QR |  |
Red Star Belgrade Red Star Belgrade Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions... |
1–2 | 0–7 | 1–9 |
Sponsors
| Role | Sponsors |
|---|---|
| General sponsors |  VK Tranzīts |
| Kit manufacturer | Adidas Adidas Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport... |
Current squad
As of 31 August 2011, according to LFF.lv and uefa.com .*
*
(captain)
*
*
*
*
*
Reserve team members*
For recent squad changes see: List of Latvian football transfers winter 2010-2011 and List of Latvian football transfers summer 2011.
Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Jurijs Bespalovs |
| Sporting director | Dmitrijs Hohlovs |
| Manager |  Sergei PodpalySergei Podpaly Sergei Ivanovich Podpaly is a retired association football player and now coach... |
| Assistant manager | Saulius Cekanavičius |
| Goalkeeping coach | Sergejs Diguļovs |
| Fitness coach |  Oleg Samatov |
| Doctor | Egils Uldis Dzērve |
| Physio | Tupic Stepan |
| Masseur | Oļegs Nazarovs |
| General manager | Sergejs Usačovs |
| Press officer | Mihails Koroļovs |
| Administrator | Vadims Perepeļica |
Notable former players
Managers
| Name | Period |
|---|---|
| Sergei Borovsky Sergei Borovsky Sergei Vladimirovich Borovsky is a former football player and current manager.During his club career he played for FC Dinamo Minsk. He earned 21 caps for the USSR national football team, and participated in the 1982 FIFA World Cup... |
1997–1998 |
| Saulius Cekanavičius | 1998 |
| Boris Sinitsyn Boris Sinitsyn Boris Alekseyevich Sinitsyn is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.-External links:*... |
1999–2000 |
| Saulius Cekanavičius | 2000 |
 Paul Ashworth |
2001–2003 |
| Saulius Širmelis | 2003–2004 |
| Sergejs Semjonovs Sergejs Semjonovs Sergejs Semjonovs is a Latvian football manager and a former footballer.-Playing career:Sergejs Semjonovs was one of the most reliable defenders in Daugava Rīga coached by Jānis Skredelis in mid 1980s when the club was one of the strongest sides in the Soviet first league. He played 9 seasons with... |
2005 |
| Roman Hryhorchuk Roman Hryhorchuk Roman Hryhorchuk is a retired Ukrainian football player and current manager of FC Chornomorets Odesa.-Player career:He started playing with FC Lysonia Berezhany and then FC Temp Shepetivka... |
2005–2009 |
 Nunzio Zavattieri |
2009–2011 |
| Saulius Cekanavičius | 2011 |
| Sergei Podpaly Sergei Podpaly Sergei Ivanovich Podpaly is a retired association football player and now coach... |
2011– |
UEFA ranking 2010
Current Club Ranking- 197
Hapoel Haifa - 198
Slovan BratislavaŠK Slovan BratislavaŠK Slovan Bratislava is a football club based in Bratislava, Slovakia, that plays in the Corgoň liga. Founded as 1. ČsŠK Bratislava in 1919, the club changed its name to Slovan Bratislava in 1953... - 200 FK Ventspils
- 201
Omonia Nicosia - 205 Legia Warsaw
IFFHS World Club Ranking
Current World Club Ranking- 123
Boca JuniorsBoca JuniorsClub Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... - 124
Club NacionalClub NacionalClub Nacional is a Paraguayan football team, based in the neighbourhood of Barrio Obrero in Asunción, founded in 1904.-History:The club was founded on June 5, 1904 by a group of alumni of the Colegio Nacional de la Capital, one of the oldest public schools in Asunción... - 125 FK Ventspils
- 126
KAA Gent - 129 Manchester City FC FC Zürich Hertha BSC BerlinHertha BSC BerlinHertha Berliner Sport-Club von 1892, commonly known as Hertha BSC or Hertha Berlin, is a German association football club based in Berlin. A founding member of the German Football Association in Leipzig in 1900, the club has a long history as Berlin's best-supported side...
External links
- Official website
- Ventspils FK at the Latvian Football FederationLatvian Football FederationThe Latvian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Latvia based in the capital, Riga. It organises the Latvian football championship , Latvian Football Cup and the Latvia national football team. LFF became a member of FIFA in 1922, but following Latvia's annexation by the Soviet...
website - Ventspils FK at the UEFAUEFAThe Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
official website - Ventspils FK at the World Football.net