Latvia title race too close to call

The Latvian Virsliga is set for an exciting finale to the 2009 season with just three points separating SK Liepājas Metalurgs, FK Ventspils and Skonto FC at the top of the table with five matches left to play.

Tightly bunched
Liepājas Metalurgs top the standings on 66 points from 27 matches, closely followed by UEFA Europa League contenders Ventspils (64) and Skonto (63). The season has proven to be a notable one for the latter, the 13-time champions being in contention for the title for the first time since coach Paul Ashworth took charge in 2005. The arrival of Latvian international Vladimirs Kolesničenko and former Ventspils player Andrei Agafonov has been instrumental to the club's challenge, without whom Ashworth believes his squad would not be able to finish top.

'Great squad'
"Our aim is to develop young players for the Latvian national side, but it is obvious Skonto cannot count on winning the title without players who know how to win the big prizes," he said. "Now we have those sorts of guys, we're determined to return the title to Skonto. I have a great squad that keeps progressing and produces quality football."

European campaign
To add to the intrigue, Skonto face Liepājas Metalurgs and Ventspils in successive matches later this month. The latter fixture comes three days after champions Ventspils host Sporting Clube de Portugal in the UEFA Europa League aiming to build on their two draws so far in Group D. According to coach Nunzio Zavettieri, competing on two fronts could play into their rivals' hands. "We hardly train at all, we just keep recovering," he told uefa.com. "The matches are coming like an avalanche and we want to win every one of them. In the UEFA Europa League we represent Latvian football and you can imagine how much physical and emotional effort it takes from the players."

'Motivated'
While Ventspils continue to forge a reputation on the continent, Liepājas Metalurgs have won their last five league matches and look well placed to add to the maiden title they won in 2005. "We're top of the table and are highly motivated," said coach Rüdiger Abramczik, whose side host Ventspils in their penultimate fixture. "After the difficulties we experienced in the middle of the season we have regrouped, found the right solutions and are moving towards our goal. I'm not interested in anything but the first place."