The UEFA Euro 2004 Group D match between the Netherlands and Latvia on 23 June at Estádio Municipal de Braga

Latvia have qualified for a UEFA European Championship once, the 2004 edition. After finishing second in their qualifying group, they won the two-legged play-offs against Turkey (3–2 on aggregate) to secure their first appearance in a major tournament finals.[1][2] In doing so, Latvia became the first and so far only Baltic team to qualify for a European Championship.[1][2]

At Euro 2004, Latvia were drawn in Group D, alongside Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.[3] Latvia faced the Czech Republic in their opening match on 15 June 2004, with Māris Verpakovskis scoring before half-time.[4] However, the Czechs would later come back to win the game 2–1.[4] Four days later, Latvia earned a respectable 0–0 draw against World Cup runners-up Germany to earn their first point in a major tournament.[5] They lost their final match 3–0 against the Netherlands,[6] and were eliminated, finishing fourth in the group with one point from their draw and two losses.[7]

Euro 2004

Group stage

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Czech Republic 3 3 0 0 7 4 +3 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Netherlands 3 1 1 1 6 4 +2 4
3  Germany 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 2
4  Latvia 3 0 1 2 1 5 −4 1
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Czech Republic 2–1 Latvia
  • Baroš 73'
  • Heinz 85'
 Report
Attendance: 21,744
Latvia 0–0 Germany
Report
Attendance: 22,344
Referee: Mike Riley (England)
Netherlands 3–0 Latvia
 Report
Attendance: 27,904

Overall record

Latvian fans at Euro 2004
UEFA European Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1960 to 1992 Part of  Soviet Union
1996 to 2000 Did not qualify
Portugal 2004 Group stage 14th 3 0 1 2 1 5
2008 to 2024 Did not qualify
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined
Italy Turkey 2032
Total Group stage 1/17 3 0 1 2 1 5

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Joyful Latvia make history". Unions of European Football Associations. 20 November 2003. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Latvia claim historic win". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "Euro 2004 draw". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Czech Rep 2–1 Latvia". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 15 June 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  5. ↑ "Latvia 0–0 Germany". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 June 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "Holland 3–0 Latvia". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 June 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  7. ↑ "Group D". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 May 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
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