Latvia at the UEFA European Championship

Latvia have qualified for a UEFA European Championship once, the 2004 edition. After finishing second in their qualifying group, they won the two-legged play-offs against Turkey (3–2 on aggregate) to secure their first appearance in a major tournament finals.[1][2] In doing so, Latvia became the first and so far only Baltic team to qualify for a European Championship.[1][2]

The UEFA Euro 2004 Group D match between the Netherlands and Latvia on 23 June at Estádio Municipal de Braga

At Euro 2004, Latvia were drawn in Group D, alongside Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.[3] Latvia faced the Czech Republic in their opening match on 15 June 2004, with Māris Verpakovskis scoring before half-time.[4] However, the Czechs would later come back to win the game 2–1.[4] Four days later, Latvia earned a respectable 0–0 draw against World Cup runners-up Germany to earn their first point in a major tournament.[5] They lost their final match 3–0 against the Netherlands,[6] and were eliminated, finishing fourth in the group with one point from their draw and two losses.[7]

Euro 2004
Main article: UEFA Euro 2004

Group stage
Main article: UEFA Euro 2004 Group D

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Czech Republic 3 3 0 0 7 4 +3 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Netherlands 3 1 1 1 6 4 +2 4
3  Germany 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 2
4  Latvia 3 0 1 2 1 5 −4 1
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Czech Republic 2–1 Latvia
  • Baroš 73'
  • Heinz 85'
 Report
Attendance: 21,744
Latvia 0–0 Germany
Report
Attendance: 22,344
Referee: Mike Riley (England)
Netherlands 3–0 Latvia
 Report
Attendance: 27,904

Overall record
Latvian fans at Euro 2004
UEFA European Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1960 to 1992 Part Of  Soviet Union
1996 to 2000 Did not qualify
Portugal 2004 Group Stage 14th 3 0 1 2 1 5
2008 to 2024 Did not qualify
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined
Italy Turkey 2032
Total Group Stage 1/17 3 0 1 2 1 5

See also

References
  1. "Joyful Latvia make history". Unions of European Football Associations. 20 November 2003. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  2. "Latvia claim historic win". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  3. "Euro 2004 draw". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  4. "Czech Rep 2–1 Latvia". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 15 June 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  5. "Latvia 0–0 Germany". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 June 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  6. "Holland 3–0 Latvia". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 June 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  7. "Group D". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 May 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
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