Latvia’s U17 men’s football team secured a dramatic 3:2 comeback victory against Ukraine on Saturday in the second round of the 2026 European Championship qualifying B-league tournament. According to the Latvian Football Federation (LFF), the team rallied from a 0:1 halftime deficit, with goals from Miķelis Krišjānis Menniks, Deivids Baltrušaitis, and a stoppage-time winner from Aleks Ščerbinskis.
How Latvia Overcame the Deficit
The match saw Ukraine take control early, scoring in the 11th minute and doubling their lead early in the second half via a counter-attack against Latvian goalkeeper Mareks Muižzemnieks. The momentum shifted when Latvia was awarded a penalty for a handball, which Menniks converted to narrow the gap. Baltrušaitis leveled the score in the 65th minute—his second goal of the tournament—before Ščerbinskis netted the decider in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
This result follows an opening 2:2 draw against tournament hosts Albania last Wednesday. The final group standings will be determined after the concluding match between Albania and Ukraine on Tuesday.
The Latvian squad, led by head coach Andrejs Gluščuks, features a diverse roster. While many players represent local clubs, the team also includes talent playing in Italy, Belgium, Spain, Norway, and Germany.
Building Toward the 2027 Finals
This tournament serves as a crucial step in the development of Latvian youth football. By competing in the B-league, the team is fighting for promotion to the A-league for the 2027/2028 European U-19 qualifying cycle. This follows a challenging first-round campaign last October in Spain, where the team finished third in their group after losses to Denmark and Spain, and a victory over Andorra.
Looking further ahead, the 2010 birth-year generation is already preparing for a major milestone. According to the LFF, Latvia is set to host the European U17 Championship finals in 2027. Matches are scheduled to take place in Rīga, Jūrmala, and Jelgava. As host nation, Latvia holds an automatic qualification spot, ensuring their participation regardless of performance in the upcoming qualifying rounds.
Latvian U17 Roster
The squad competing under coach Gluščuks includes a blend of domestic and international experience:
- Goalkeepers: Toms Petrovičs (Super Nova), Mareks Muižzemnieks (RFS Academy).
- Defenders: Aleksandrs Siņeļņikovs, Adrians Saulītis (both Riga FC Academy), Miks Siliņš (Mārupes NSS), Valters Emīls Triščenko (Liepājas Futbola skola), Fabio Sebastians Rošā (Super Nova), Oskars Šulcs (Molenbeek, Belgium), Pauls Pinkulis (Skanstes SK).
- Midfielders: Zahars Maligins (Huesca, Spain), Gabriels Valentīns Fimreite (Haugesund, Norway), Kārlis Miezis (Baunatal, Germany), Miķelis Krišjānis Menniks, Alekss Ščerbinskis (both Skanstes SK), Alims Saveļjevs (Daugavpils).
- Forwards: Ralfs Blūms, Bruno Andris Jirgensons (both JDFS Alberts), Deivids Baltrušaitis (Skanstes SK), Ņikita Solomonovs (Venezia, Italy), Ilija Anohins (Riga FC Academy).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the 2027 European U17 Championship finals be held?
The tournament will be hosted by Latvia, with matches held in Rīga, Jūrmala, and Jelgava.
Is Latvia already qualified for the 2027 U17 finals?
Yes. As the host nation, Latvia is guaranteed a spot in the final tournament regardless of their results in the qualifying stages.
What is the goal of the current B-league tournament?
The primary objective for the current U17 squad is to earn promotion to the A-league, which would provide a higher level of competition for the 2027/2028 European U-19 championship qualifying cycle.
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