Latvia set for Stockholm finale
Thursday, October 2, 2003
Article summary
Striker Maris Verpakovskis will lead the line for Latvia in their final Group 4 qualifier against Sweden.
Article body
Three key players are missing from Latvia's squad for the decisive UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Sweden on 11 October.
Missing stars
For the game in Stockholm, which has been billed as the most important in Latvian history, Aleksandrs Starkovs will not be able to call on three of the country's finest players. "We have called on our best players," said the coach. "We will still be missing [Marians] Pahars, [Juris] Laizans and [Andrejs] Prohorenkovs, but there's nothing we can do about it."
'The right choice'
With Laizans suspended, and Prohorenkovs and Pahars missing through injury, Starkovs will ask Maris Verpakovskis, who scored twice against Hungary, to lead the line against Sweden. "I am sure I've made the right choice," said the coach. "After beating Hungary we will be playing for victory in Sweden, I promise that".
Play-off hope
The decisive Group 4 qualifying game could put Latvia into the play-offs but they will need a win in Stockholm to definitely secure the second place they currently occupy in the group. They are currently two points ahead of Hungary and three ahead of Poland.
Possible permutations
Should Hungary fail to win their final game against Poland, a draw would be enough to send Latvia through. If Hungary and Poland draw, a defeat in Stockholm would still see Latvia take a play-off place.
Latvia squad
Kolinko, Piedels, Vanins, Zemlinskis, Isakovs, Blagonadezdins, Stepanovs, Smirnovs, Zirnis, Lobanevs, Pucinskis, Semenovs, Astafjevs, Bleidelis, Rubins, Kolesnicenko, Verpakovskis, Miholaps, Rimkus, Dobrecovs, Stolcers.