9.45pm 10 June 2019
UEFA European Championships, Qualifying Group G
Latvia 0 Slovenia 5 (att 4,011)
After watching Lithuania in Vilnius on Friday night I arrived in Latvia's capital, after a detour via the Baltic coastal resort of Palanga, in time for their Monday night game.
The Daugava Stadium in Riga is very much in the style of former Eastern-bloc bowls with huge floodlight pylons that dominate the skyline. It's three-sided, with the side opposite the main stand having a scoreboard and little else, and there's no cover. Thankfully the rain stayed away.
Wikipedia tells me the current capacity is around 10,500, in which case the official crowd figure looks a generous over-estimate. Perhaps they counted tickets sold rather than those who turned up, as Latvia's heavy home defeat to Israel on the Friday night must have deterred some.
Home fans who stayed away might have a wise decision, as Slovenia romped to a comprehensive win while barely breaking sweat. They dominated possession from the start and were 4-0 up after a very one-sided opening half.
Things didn't get any better for the hosts after the break, as the fifth goal went in only two minutes after the re-start. Slovenia should have added more goals, while Latvia mustered little more than the occasional shot from distance that was comfortably saved.
At least tickets were a bargain. Only seven euros for a seat behind the goal, although that did mean I was unable to access the media and VIP area in the main stand to blag a programme. Luckily, eBay was able to fill that gap in my collection.
UEFA European Championships, Qualifying Group G
Latvia 0 Slovenia 5 (att 4,011)
After watching Lithuania in Vilnius on Friday night I arrived in Latvia's capital, after a detour via the Baltic coastal resort of Palanga, in time for their Monday night game.
The Daugava Stadium in Riga is very much in the style of former Eastern-bloc bowls with huge floodlight pylons that dominate the skyline. It's three-sided, with the side opposite the main stand having a scoreboard and little else, and there's no cover. Thankfully the rain stayed away.
Wikipedia tells me the current capacity is around 10,500, in which case the official crowd figure looks a generous over-estimate. Perhaps they counted tickets sold rather than those who turned up, as Latvia's heavy home defeat to Israel on the Friday night must have deterred some.
Home fans who stayed away might have a wise decision, as Slovenia romped to a comprehensive win while barely breaking sweat. They dominated possession from the start and were 4-0 up after a very one-sided opening half.
Things didn't get any better for the hosts after the break, as the fifth goal went in only two minutes after the re-start. Slovenia should have added more goals, while Latvia mustered little more than the occasional shot from distance that was comfortably saved.
At least tickets were a bargain. Only seven euros for a seat behind the goal, although that did mean I was unable to access the media and VIP area in the main stand to blag a programme. Luckily, eBay was able to fill that gap in my collection.
Comments
Post a Comment