Astafjevs set for Latvian centenary
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Article summary
Latvia's Vitalis Astafjevs is in line for his 100th cap after being named in the squad to face Slovenia.
Article body
Birthday celebration
The midfield player, who celebrates his 33rd birthday three days after the international friendly in Ljubljana on Wednesday 31 March, is part of an experienced 21-man squad named by coach Aleksandrs Starkovs. While there are no untried faces, striker Andrejs Prohorenkovs returns after a lengthy absence with a knee injury.
Tough group
Latvia will also play friendlies against Iceland on 28 April and Azerbaijan on 6 June before heading to Portugal for this summer's finals. They have been drawn in Group D with Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
Latvia squad
Kolinko, Piedels, Stepanovs, Isakovs, Blagonadezdins, Zakresevskis, Zirnis, Korablovs, Smirnovs, Laizans, Astafjevs, Rubins, Bleidelis, Lobanovs, Pucinskis, Semjonovs, Pahars, Verpakovskis, Prohorenkovs, Rimkus, Kalnins.
