Latvia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Sarkanbaltsarkanie
(Red-white-red)
AssociationLatvijas Futbola federācija
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachRomāns Kvačovs
Top scorerOlga Ševcova (12)
FIFA codeLVA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 115 Increase 4 (15 December 2023)[1]
Highest61 (December 2004 – March 2005; December 2005 – May 2006)
Lowest119 (October – December 2022; June – August 2023)
First international
 Sweden 9–0 Latvia 
(Nynäshamn; Sweden 18 August 1993)
Biggest win
 Latvia 6–0 Lebanon 
(Geroskipou, Cyprus; 13 March 2015)
Biggest defeat
 England 20–0 Latvia 
(Doncaster, England; 30 November 2021)
Websitelff.lv/izlases/sieviesu-izlases/nacionala-sieviesu-izlase/

The Latvia women's national football team (Latvian: Latvijas sieviešu futbola izlase) represents Latvia in international football and is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia. They have never qualified for the major tournament.

Latvia, alongside their Baltic rivals, Lithuania and Estonia, is also participating in the local sub-regional Women's Baltic Cup, which takes place every year. Latvia has won this tournament five times, the first time in 1997. The next moment of triumph had to wait until 2011, and in 2017, 2018 and 2019 Latvia won the trophy three years in a row.

History

In the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), women's football was not a recognized sport – in 1972, the Sports Committee of the USSR even banned women's football competitions. That is why women played the first official football matches in Latvia only in 1989, when the first women's team "Latvija" was created. The players were mostly invited from other sports, so the football players had good physical preparation, and several players from Lithuania were also invited to help. In 1990, the team was renamed to RAF Jelgava, participating in the first championship of the highest league of the USSR, where they took eighth place in the competition of 24 teams. RAF played one more season in the top league of the USSR, but another team from Latvia – Ogres "Fortūna" – competed in the first league of the USSR. After the collapse of the USSR, the "RAF" professional team disbanded, and thus women's football in Latvia continued to exist only at the amateur level.[2]

On 18 August 1993, The Latvian women's national team made its debut and played its first international match in the European Championship qualification tournament, losing in the first match away to Sweden, which was already one of the most important women's football countries in the world at the time.[3]

After the first qualifying tournament, Latvia did not participate anymore in European Championship qualifying tournaments until 2006. Changes had already been introduced in the selection system, by holding the previous preliminary tournament for the weakest European national teams before the qualification, which the Latvian national team never managed to overcome, which meant that Latvia did not have the opportunity to meet the best national women's football teams in Europe for a long time.[4]

After participating in the UEFA Women's Euro 1995 qualifying[5] and withdrew from all qualification until the qualification for the European Championships in 2009. Latvia's record in international qualification games is poor. In their competitive games, Latvia lost their first two games, against Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina by three goals, before losing by one goal to Armenia.[6] Mini-tournaments after the qualification disaster proved no better for Latvia. Finishing last, in December 2008, Latvia lost 0–3 to Croatia and 0–5 to Turkey.[7]

The first victory

Latvia won its first official match on 5 March 2011 over Lithuania in the qualifying 2013 European Championship preliminary round with a lone goal by Jūlija Sokolova.[8][9] However, Latvia lost the other two games against Luxembourg and Macedonia so it didn't go through.

First World Cup qualification

In 2013, the Latvian women's national team took part in the World Cup qualification tournament for the first time, in the first round of the preliminaries, they drew 0:0 with Luxembourg in their debut match,[10] but then lost 0–2 to Albania and Malta. After four years, the Latvian women's national team won the first victory in the World Cup selection, defeating Estonia 4–0 in the preliminaries, but it was not enough to enter the basic qualification tournament, as the first place in the group was won by the national team of Kazakhstan, with whom Latvian football players played a draw 2–2.

Modern times

The Latvian women's football team won its first World Cup qualification victory against Luxembourg.[11] Latvia won its first World Cup qualification victory on 24 June 2022 over Lithuania in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group D with a lone goal by Nelle Treimane.

On November 30, 2021, the Latvian national team lost to England in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group D match with 20–0. After the game, this game received a huge amount of attention, shining a light on the shortcomings of the qualifiers and European women qualifying system. Several experts emphasized that such a game should not have happened. This game again sparked discussions about going back to pre-qualification.[12]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2023

6 April BFU International Women's Cup 2023 SF Kosovo  1–0  Latvia Sofia, Bulgaria
11:00 UTC+2
  • Halilaj 27'
 Report Stadium: Boyana Sports Complex
10 April BFU International Women's Cup 2023 3rd place Lithuania  2–1  Latvia Sofia, Bulgaria
10:00 UTC+2
Report
  • Suvitra 86'
 Stadium: Boyana Sports Complex
14 July Friendly Latvia  1–1  Azerbaijan Riga, Latvia
18:00 UTC+2 Alina Dorofeeva 32' Report Karlīna Miksone 44' Stadium: Jānis Skredelis' stadium
Attendance: 295
Referee: Jeļena Jermolajeva
17 July Friendly Latvia  1–1  Azerbaijan Riga, Latvia
18:00 UTC+2 Karlīna Miksone 49' Report Sevinj Jafarzade 36' Stadium: LNK Sporta Parks
Attendance: 213
Referee: Jeļena Jermolajeva
22 September 2023 (2023-09-22) Nations League C Latvia  0–1  Malta Jūrmala, Latvia
Report Bugeja 83' Stadium: Sloka Stadium
Referee: Jana Van Laere (Belgium)
26 September UEFA Women's Nations League Andorra  0–4  Latvia Andorra la Vella, Andorra
18:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Nanna Løf Andersen (Denmark)
27 October UEFA Women's Nations League Latvia  5–0  Moldova Jelgava, Latvia
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Zemgale Olympic Center
Referee: Eirini Pingiou (Greece)
31 October UEFA Women's Nations League Moldova  3–3  Latvia Chișinău
18:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadionul Zimbru
Attendance: 300
Referee: Frederikke Lydia Søkjær (Denmark)
1 December UEFA Women's Nations League Latvia  4–0  Andorra Riga
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: LNK Sporta Parks
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti
5 December UEFA Women's Nations League Malta  2–1  Latvia Ta' Qali
18:00 UTC+2
Report Karlīna Miksone 50' (pen.) Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Rita Vehapi

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of 13 July 2023
Role Name
Head Coach Latvia Romāns Kvačovs
Assistant coach Latvia Anna Poņatovska
Assistant coach Latvia Edgars Klibus
Goalkeeping coach Latvia Marks Bogdanovs
Physiotherapist Latvia Mārtiņš Kacens
Team doctor Latvia Anastasija Oprisņaka
Team manager Latvia Marta Lielause

Manager history

  • Latvia Viktors Lūkins (1992–1996)
  • Latvia Grigorijs Rožkovs (1996–2003)
  • Latvia Agris Bandolis (2003–2010)[13]
  • Latvia Didzis Matīss (2010–2021)
  • Latvia Romāns Kvačovs (2021–present)[14]

Players

Current squad

The following players have been called up for the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League C matches against Andorra and Malta on 1 and 5 December 2023.[15]

Caps and goals are correct as of 6 December 2023.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 1GK Enija Anna Vaivode (Captain) (1993-12-28) 28 December 1993 27 0 Sweden P 18 IK
1 1GK Sofija Ņesterova (2001-08-06) 6 August 2001 10 0 Latvia SFK Rīga
23 1GK Alīna Skļemenova (2004-03-15) 15 March 2004 1 0 Latvia SK Super Nova
10 2DF Anastasija Ročāne (1992-06-07) 7 June 1992 74 3 Poland Czarni Sosnowiec
5 2DF Anna Flakse (1999-01-31) 31 January 1999 36 0 Latvia SFK Rīga
2 2DF Ligita Tumāne (1996-05-01) 1 May 1996 27 0 Italy ASD Spezia
4 2DF Marina Teļukeviča (2005-09-19) 19 September 2005 1 0 Latvia SFK Rīga
3 2DF Kristīne Evelīna Lodziņa (1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 4 0 Latvia FS Metta (women)
7 2DF Paula Liniņa (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 19 0 Latvia FS Metta (women)
13 2DF Sandra Voitāne (1999-05-20) 20 May 1999 60 15 Iceland Keflavík ÍF
19 3MF Karlīna Miksone (2000-03-21) 21 March 2000 62 16 Poland Czarni Sosnowiec
14 3MF Olga Ševcova (1992-11-26) 26 November 1992 56 13 Turkey Fenerbahçe
8 3MF Viktorija Zaičikova (2000-08-04) 4 August 2000 52 4 Iceland ÍBV
16 3MF Anna Kristīne Gornela (1997-09-09) 9 September 1997 19 0 Slovenia ŽNK Mura
15 3MF Amēlija Lipšāne (2005-03-31) 31 March 2005 5 0 Latvia FS Metta (women)
18 3MF Anna Marija Valaka (1999-11-14) 14 November 1999 17 0 Latvia SFK Rīga
17 3MF Katrīna Daņilova (2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 6 0 Latvia FS Metta (women)
6 3MF Nelle Treimane (2003-11-12) 12 November 2003 13 1 Latvia FS Metta (women)
20 3MF Anastasija Vainere (2004-09-23) 23 September 2004 2 0 Latvia FS Metta (women)
17 3MF Signija Šenberga (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 9 0 Latvia FS Metta (women)
9 4FW Anastasija Poļuhoviča (2005-03-06) 6 March 2005 15 4 Latvia SFK Rīga
11 4FW Diāna Suvitra (2002-01-09) 9 January 2002 8 3 Latvia SFK Rīga

Recent call ups

The following players have been called up to the Latvia squad in the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Kristiāna Zacmane (1999-05-20) 20 May 1999 3 0 Latvia FK Auda v.  Lithuania, 10 April 2023
DF Ērika Gricienko (2002-11-30) 30 November 2002 3 0 Latvia SFK Rīga v.  Lithuania, 10 April 2023
DF Dana Ņikitina (1999-03-25) 25 March 1999 3 0 Latvia SFK Rīga v.  Lithuania, 10 April 2023
DF Nikola Brahmane (1998-09-10) 10 September 1998 4 0 Latvia FK Auda v.  Lithuania, 10 April 2023
DF Sofija Gergeležiu (2003-08-31) 31 August 2003 14 0 Latvia SFK Rīga v.  Andorra, 26 September 2023
DF Sofija Garanča (2004-05-28) 28 May 2004 12 2 Latvia Rēzeknes BJSS
MF Viktorija Vengreviča (1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 2 0 Latvia BFC Daugavpils v.  Lithuania, 10 April 2023
MF Nelle Treimane (2003-11-12) 12 November 2003 12 1 Latvia FS Metta (women) v.  Lithuania, 9 October 2022
MF Taisija Smirnova (2003-09-24) 24 September 2003 7 0 Latvia Liepājas FS v.  Andorra, 26 September 2023
DF Selga Penelope Vitmore (2002-03-10) 10 March 2002 2 0 Latvia SK Super Nova v.  Moldova, 31 October 2022
FW Renāte Fedotova (1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 35 13 Lithuania FK Saned v.  Lithuania, 9 October 2022
FW Tatjana Baličeva (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 26 0 Latvia SFK Rīga v.  Lithuania, 9 October 2022
FW Monika Štube (1999-09-15) 15 September 1999 2 0 England Bradford City v.  Azerbaijan, 17 July 2023
FW Emīlija Sofija Druviņa (2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 7 0 Latvia FS Metta (women) v.  Azerbaijan, 17 July 2023

Records

*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 19 August 2021.

Most Capped Players

As of 6 December 2023
Rank Player Year(s) Caps
1Anastasija Ročāne2011-74
2Karlīna Miksone2015-62
3Sandra Voitāne2015-60
4Olga Ševcova2011-56
5Viktorija Zaičikova2017-52
6Renāte Fedotova2013-49
7Elīza Spruntule2011-202149
8Kristīne Giržda2012-202147
9Marija Ibragimova2012-201938
10Anna Flakse2017-36

Top goalscorers

As of 1 December 2023
Rank Player Year(s) Goals Caps
1Karlīna Miksone2015-1662
2Renāte Fedotova2013-1662
3Sandra Voitāne2015-1560
4Olga Ševcova2011-1356
5Liene Vāciete2015-2017721
6Viktorija Zaičikova2017-452
6Anastasija Poļuhoviča2022-415
8Anastasija Ročāne2011-374
9Diāna Suvitra2023-38
10Sofija Garanča2023-212

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD GP W D* L GF GA GD
China 1991Did not exist Did not exist
Sweden 1995Did not qualify UEFA Euro 1995
United States 1999Did not enter Did not enter
United States 2003
China 2007
Germany 2011
Canada 2015Did not qualify 301204–4
France 2019 312073+4
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 10109863–55
2027To be determined To be determined
Total–––––––– 16231115700
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GP W D* L GS GA
1984 to Italy 1993Did not exist Did not exist
EnglandGermanyNorwaySweden 1995Did not qualify 4004118
NorwaySweden 1997Did not enter Did not enter
Germany 2001
England 2005
Finland 2009Did not qualify 300318
Sweden 2013 310213
Netherlands 2017 311155
England 2022 8008239
Switzerland 2025To be determined To be determined
Total––––––– 2121181073
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Women's Baltic Cup

Baltic Cup record
Year Result
1996Runners-up
1997Champions
1998Third place
2003Third place
2004Third place
2005Third place
2006Third place
2007Third place
2008Third place
2009Third place
2010Third place
2011Champions
2012Third place
2013Third place
2014Third place
2015Third place
2016Runners-up
2017Champions
2018Champions
2019Champions
2021Fourth place
2022
Total21/21

See also

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
    2. ↑ Girvičs, Kristians. "Latvijas sieviešu futbola izlase". enciklopedija.lv. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
    3. ↑ "Sweden - Latvia". UEFA.com. UEFA. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    4. ↑ Girvičs, Kristiāns. "Latvijas sieviešu futbola izlase (in latvian)". Enciklopedija.lv. Nacionālā enciklopēdija. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    5. ↑ "Women EURO Qualifiers 1993/1994 » Group 4". Worldoffootball.net. World of Football. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    6. ↑ "Latvia [Women] » Fixtures & Results 2006". Worldoffootball.net. World of Football. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    7. ↑ "Latvia [Women] » Fixtures & Results 2008". Worldoffootball.net. World of Football. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    8. ↑ Statistics of the match in UEFA's website
    9. ↑ "Latvijas sieviešu futbola izlasei uzvara pār Lietuvu Eiropas čempionāta kvalifikācijas priekšsacīkšu turnīra spēlē". Liepajniekiem.lv. LETA. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    10. ↑ "Luxembourg - Latvia 0:0". Worldoffootball.net. World of Football. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    11. ↑ Brože, Ulvis. "Vēsturiska diena Latvijas sieviešu futbolam - pirmā uzvara Pasaules kausa kvalifikācijā". Sportacentrs.com. Sportacentrs. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    12. ↑ Jayanta, Oinam. "20-nil thrashing against England a wake-up call for Latvia's women's football". FIFA.com. FIFA. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    13. ↑ "Latvijas sieviešu futbola izlase". Latvian National Encyclopedia (in Latvian). Retrieved 17 September 2021.
    14. ↑ "Par Latvijas sieviešu izlases galveno treneri iecelts Kvačovs". Sportacentrs.com. Sportacentrs. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
    15. ↑ "SIEVIEŠU IZLASEI IZŠĶIROŠĀS NĀCIJU LĪGAS SPĒLES". LFF.lv. LFF. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
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