 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Undoubtedly the surprise qualifiers, Latvia shocked Europe by dispatching heavy-favourites
Turkey in the playoffs. Coach Aleksandrs Starkovs has done an admirable job in taking the
nation this far, and with their team spirit and unity, who is to say they cannot go
further? Rank outsiders, they face an almost impossible task of progressing through the
‘Group of Death’. However, striker Maris Verpakovskis possesses the quality to make an
impact on the tournament.
| Latvia's Warm Up Games | |||
| Date | Team | Venue | Score |
| 20 Dec 2003 | Kuwait | Larnaca | 0-2 |
| 18 Feb 2004 | Kazakhstan | Larnaca | 3-1 |
| 19 Feb 2004 | Hungary | Cyprus | 1-2 |
| 21 Feb 2004 | Belarus | Cyprus | 1-2 |
| 21 Feb 2004 | Romania or Belarus | Cyprus | 1-0 |
| 28 April 2004 | Iceland | Riga | 0-0 |
| 6 June 2004 | Azerbaijan | Riga | |
| Squad | |
| Goalkeepers | |
| Aleksandrs Kolinko | Rostov |
| Andrejs Piedels | Skonto FC |
| Andrejs Pavlovs | Skonto FC |
| Andris Vanins | Torpedo Metallurg |
| Defenders | |
| Mihails Zemlinskis | Skonto FC |
| Igors Stepanovs | Beveren |
| Olegs Blagonadezdins | Skonto FC |
| Arturs Zakresevskis | Skonto FC |
| Aleksandrs Isakovs | Skonto FC |
| Igors Korablovs | FK Ventspils |
| Maris Smirnovs | FK Ventspils |
| Dzintars Zirnis | FHK Liepajas Metalurgs |
| Midfielders | |
| Vitalijs Astafjevs | Herold Admira |
| Imants Bleidelis | Viborg |
| Andrejs Rubins | Shinnik |
| Juris Laizans | CSKA Moskva |
| Valentins Lobanovs | Metalurg Zaporizhya |
| Vladimirs Kolesnicenko | Torpedo Metalurg |
| Jurgis Pucinsks | Luch-Energia |
| Andrejs Stolcers | Fulham |
| Igors Semjonovs | Skonto FC |
| Kristaps Blanks | Skonto FC |
| Strikers | |
| Marians Pahars | Southampton |
| Vits Rimkus | FK Ventspils |
| Maris Verpakovskis | Dynamo Kyiv |
| Mihails Miholaps | Skonto FC |
| Viktors Dobrecovs | FHK Liepajas Metalurgs |
| Andrejs Prohorenkovs | Maccabi Tel-Aviv |
| Gatis Kalnins | Skonto FC |
