Starkovs selects surprise duo

By Mihail Korolev

Uncapped FHK Liepajas Metalurgs striker Kristaps Grebis has been handed a chance to impress Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs after being included in a 26-man squad for the UEFA EURO 2004™ warm-up against Iceland on 28 April.

Explosive start
The 23-year-old has been rewarded for an explosive start to the 2004 Latvian season, scoring four goals in as many games for the league leaders. Grebis, a former Under-21 international, was previously called up for Latvia's home EURO 2004™ victory against San Marino in April 2003 but did not get off the bench.

Surprise inclusion
Defender Mihails Zemlinskis is another surprise inclusion for the match in Riga. The 34-year-old underwent knee surgery earlier this year and has not played for Skonto FC this season. "I trained for the first time on Saturday," said Zemlinskis. "My condition has improved and I will play in our next league match if selected. I'm obviously not fit to play 90 minutes against Iceland but I could be used as a substitute."

Defenders recovering
Dzintars Zirnis of Metalurgs and fellow defender Olegs Blagonadezdins from Skonto both have minor injuries but are expected to play. However, Skonto talents Igors Semenovs and Kristaps Blanks miss out due to an ankle injury and poor form respectively.

Latvia squad
Kolinko, Piedels, Stepanovs, Zemlinskis, Blagonadezdins, Zakresevskis, Isakovs, Korablovs, Smirnovs, Zirnis, Astafjevs, Lobanovs, Rubins, Laizans, Bleidelis, Pucinskis, Kolesnicenko, Pahars, Stolcers, Verpakovskis, Rimkus, Dobrecovs, Grebis, Prohorenkovs, Miholaps, Kalnins.