Fixtures confirmed for Baltic Cup
Friday, April 18, 2003
Article summary
The schedule has been announced for the 19th Baltic Cup, which will be held in Estonia in July.
Article body
The schedule has been announced for the 19th Baltic Cup, which will be held in Estonia in July.
Historic event
The event was first held in 1928, making it Europe's oldest national team football tournament, and now takes place every two years. Estonia will be joined by Lithuania and Latvia, with the three countries competing at both full international and Under-21 level. Hosts Latvia were winners of the 2001 event, defeating Lithuania 4-1 and Estonia 3-1.
European action
Latvia will be in confident mood again, as they sit top of UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 4 above Poland and Sweden. However, Lithuania have also enjoyed recent success, earning a surprise 1-1 draw in Germany and then defeating Scotland 1-0 in Group 5, while Estonia have secured draws with both Croatia and Belgium in Group 8.
Hectic schedule
The tournament kicks off on 3 July, when Lithuania's U21 side take on their Estonian counterparts at the Valga stadium in Valga, before the full national sides meet at the same venue later in the day. The following day sees Latvia play Lithuania at both levels, also at the Valga stadium, and the tournament concludes on 5 July as Estonia's U21 team face Latvia at the Maardu stadium in Maardu, before the senior sides meet at the A Le Coq Arena in Tallinn.
