Capital: Riga
Population: 2.4 million
Currency: Lats
Official Language: Latvian
Borders: Estonia (North), Russia (East), Belarus (South/East), Lithunia (South)
GNP per Capita: $2,430 (80th in world)
Main Airport: Riga International - Riga

Lying between Estonia and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea, Latvia is one of the smaller former Russian states that gained independence in 1991.  Temperatures in the winter are very harsh. 

The Virslīga is the top division of Latvian football championship, organised by Latvian Football Federation. The new season kicks off in April of every year because of the harsh climate there are no games in winter.  There are 8 clubs in the Virslīga. During the course of the season each clubs plays others four times, twice at their home stadium and twice at that of their opponents, for a total of 28 games. At the end of season, the lowest placed team are automatically relegated into 1. līga, and winner of the 1. līga automatically takes its place. The second lowest placed team in Virslīga and second team of 1. līga plays two matches for place in the Virslīga in next season.  In 2007 had started negotiation about expansion from 8 teams to 10 teams in LMT Virslīga.  For more detail on the league go to About a Ball. 

For a detailed overview of who plays where in Latvia, go to Footiemap.com.
Past Virslīga winners

2008 FK Ventspils
2007 FK Ventspils
2006 FK Ventspils
2005 FHK Liepājas Metalurgs
2004 Skonto FC
2003 Skonto FC
2002 Skonto FC
2001 Skonto FC
2000 Skonto FC
1999 Skonto FC
1998 Skonto FC
1997 Skonto FC
1996 Skonto FC
1995 Skonto FC
1994 Skonto FC
1993 Skonto FC
1992 Skonto FC

Virslīga clubs 2007/08
Skonto FC are based in Riga.  Champions on 13 consecutive occasions.  They play at the Skonto Stadions, the national arena which holds 8,300.  Click here for more details.

FHK Liepājas Metalurgs are based in Liepajas and one of the current form teams.  They play at the 5,000 seater Daugava Stadium, pictured left.

FK Ventspils are based in Ventspils and Virsliga Champions in 2008.  They play at the Olimpiskais Stadions that holds 3,200 people, which is shown to the right. 

Dinaburg FC play in Daugavpils.  Last season they finished in 4th place.  They play at the Celtnieks Stadium which holds 4,100.

FK Riga are based in Riga.  The club achieved their highest place finish in 2007 by finishing 3rd.  They play at the 5,000 capacity Latvijas Universitates Stadion which is pictured left.  Click for more details.

FK Daugava Daugavpils from Daugavpils. They ground share the Celtnieks Stadium with Dinaburgs.

FK Jūrmala are based in the Skolas Stadium in Jurmala which holds 5,000 people.

JFK Olimps Rīga are the third team from Riga to play in the top league.  They share their ground with FHK Liepajas.  Click here for more details.