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Would Riga FC really take the game to Atalanta? Head coach Adrian Gula certainly thinks so. In this episode of the Baltic Football Podcast, Frank Marr goes to Skonto to sit down with the Slovak manager to discuss Riga FC's historic UEFA Conference League qualification, the attacking philosophy that has shaped his career, and the challenges of keeping a team motivated through an exhausting season. In this exclusive interview, Gula reflects on the influence of Dutch football and his role in developing some of Europe's leading players, while offering candid thoughts on what needs to change in Latvian football. With a Baltic showdown against Kauno Žalgiris approaching and silverware still at stake domestically, he also opens up about the psychology of winning, his ambitions for Riga FC, and what he hopes to leave behind at the club. (00:06:21) – From creative midfielder to attacking coach: the making of Adrian Gula (00:08:24) – The Cruyff connection: how Dutch football transformed his philosophy (00:12:20) – Why Latvian football needs to change: stadiums, pitches and youth development (00:16:53) – Changing Riga FC's culture: European nights, growing crowds and legacy (00:19:20) – From Champions League disappointment to Conference League history (00:23:50) – Pressing Atalanta? Why Gula refuses to abandon his attacking philosophy (00:27:08) – The science of pressing: fitness data, sprinting and Riga FC's tactical identity (00:34:09) – Chasing five targets: European ambitions and the pressure of a marathon season (00:38:21) – "Every day is psychology": leadership, mental coaching and staying motivated (00:42:29) – Cup final revenge against Auda and the Baltic derby with Kauno Žalgiris Join the conversation! Can Riga FC make an impact in Europe? Should Latvian clubs adopt a more attacking approach? And what do you make of Gula's coaching philosophy? Share your thoughts in the comments, and remember to like and subscribe for more exclusive interviews, analysis and stories from Baltic football. For the latest football news, interviews and analysis from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, follow https://balticfootballnews.com.

One point separates the leaders in Latvia and Lithuania, while Levadia are pulling away in Estonia. Who can hold their nerve in the run-in? Harry and Tony return to discuss RFS vs Riga FC, Kauno Žalgiris’ statement win over Sūduva, and the battles for Europe and survival across all three leagues, alongside their players and results of the round. (00:00:22) Latvia: RFS vs Riga FC and the Latvian Cup final(00:05:35) Latvia: the battle to stay up(00:09:03) Latvia: player and result of the round(00:12:25) Lithuania: the title race and the fight for Europe(00:17:19) Lithuania: struggling clubs and the survival picture(00:20:59) Lithuania: player and result of the round(00:23:44) Estonia: Levadia’s lead and the European chase(00:30:30) Estonia: the relegation battle(00:35:22) Estonia: player and result of the round Subscribe for more football discussion from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and visit Baltic Football News for the latest news. #soccer #Pitchside #Football #latvia #lithuania #estonia

Baltic football has its first all-Baltic European league-phase clash: Riga FC vs Kauno Žalgiris!In this episode of the Baltic Football Podcast, Jānis Vītols and Titas Teiten break down how both clubs got there, from Kauno’s huge win over Beşiktaş to Riga finally ending their long wait for a European league phase, before turning to the draw, the Baltic derby and what comes next.(00:01:52) Kauno Žalgiris vs Beşiktaş(00:04:46) Riga FC reach the league phase(00:07:31) Conference League draw(00:11:12) Atalanta & Freiburg(00:15:08) Brighton & Pafos(00:19:14) The remaining opponents(00:25:10) The Baltic derby(00:28:54) Predictions(00:34:56) Baltics elsewhere in EuropeFor up to date football news from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, please visit www.balticfootballnews.com and follow us on all major social media platforms!#football #conferenceleague #latvia #lithuania #riga #kaunas #soccer #europeanfootball

Can anyone separate Riga FC and RFS? After another chaotic Riga derby finished 3-3, just one point separates Latvia’s two heavyweights but Tony still believes Riga will retain the title.In this episode of Pitchside, Harry and Tony break down the latest across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as the Baltic domestic seasons move towards their decisive stages.In Latvia, they look back at a six-goal Riga derby - including the surprise appearance of Polish referees - and ask where the title will ultimately be won and lost. There is also Auda’s push for another Latvian Cup final, Joseph Oloko’s remarkable scoring form at Liepāja, and a relegation battle in which Tony is still refusing to write off Ogre United.Then it is over to what may be the most unpredictable league in Europe. Sūduva are the latest team to take over at the top in Lithuania, but Kauno Žalgiris, Džiugas, Banga and TransINVEST remain firmly involved, while Tony explains why he still expects Kauno to eventually take control. The pair also discuss Žalgiris Vilnius’ chances of recovering domestically and difficult seasons for Hegelmann, Panevėžys and Šiauliai.Finally, Levadia remain well clear in Estonia despite losing their leading scorer, Nõmme Kalju move into second, Flora face questions after changes in the dugout, and the battle to avoid the relegation play-off tightens dramatically.Plus, Harry and Tony choose their Players and Results of the Round from all three leagues.(00:00:22) Latvia & the Riga title race(00:05:19) Joseph Oloko(00:08:40) Latvia’s relegation battle(00:12:50) Latvia: Players & Results of the Round(00:17:26) Lithuania & the title race(00:21:38) Žalgiris Vilnius(00:23:01) Hegelmann, Panevėžys & Šiauliai(00:28:04) Lithuania: Players & Results of the Round(00:31:00) Estonia(00:33:00) Kalju, Flora, and the relegation battle(00:41:34) Estonia: Players & Results of the RoundSubscribe for more Baltic football and visit BalticFootballNews.com for the latest news from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and beyond.

What is left after European qualifiers round 3? From squad depth and transfer timing to whether Baltic clubs can ever plan their way past a budget gap of 237 million euros against 9, and domestic title races that are now wide open in all three countries - Janis, Titas and Morten join the podcast to work out how a summer that delivered twelve Latvian wins and Estonia's second best coefficient haul on record still ended with almost nobody left in Europe. Auda went to Albania holding a lead and came home beaten 4-0. RFS were eliminated at home in a game the panel picks apart at length, with a goalkeeping department that has been a question mark all year. Flora lost 6-0 on aggregate to an Andorran side and set off a genuine argument about whether a club can keep filling its squad with local players and still expect to compete. Against all of that, Kauno Žalgiris became only the second Lithuanian club to reach a European league phase and Riga FC produced what one of the most dominant away performances by a Latvian club in recent memory. (00:00:56) Twelve wins, one survivor: reading the coefficient table (00:04:14) Auda in Albania: how a lead became a 4-0 defeat (00:07:14) RFS are out, and the goalkeeping question nobody has answered (00:12:30) Lithuania in Croatia: measuring the gap to Dinamo Zagreb (00:16:30) Trossard, budgets and whether tactics can close a money gap (00:20:37) Estonia's rescue mission for a place in the top 50 (00:23:35) Flora, Andorra and the darkest day in Estonian club football (00:26:17) The foreigners debate: does an all Estonian squad still work? (00:30:49) Paide in Azerbaijan, Rapid Vienna, and Levadia's night in Sweden (00:34:31) The 7-2 in Vilnius: the best comeback in Lithuanian football history (00:37:33) Riga FC in Hungary: forty-five minutes of total control (00:42:11) Player of the summer and the best Baltic side in Europe (00:45:48) Title races, the fourth place fight, and what to watch next For the latest and most up to date news on Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian football, visit www.balticfootballnews.com

A historic week for Baltic football takes centre stage in Episode 5 of Pitchside. Harry and Tony review a remarkable set of UEFA qualifying results, including Auda’s emphatic victory over FCSB, Žalgiris Vilnius’ extraordinary European comeback and Kauno Žalgiris securing European league-phase football. They also assess the progress of RFS, Paide and Flora, alongside the Baltic clubs whose European campaigns came to an end. Attention then turns to the domestic season across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The episode examines the increasingly tense Riga FC vs RFS title race in the Latvian Virslīga, Tukums’ alarming decline and Ogre United’s growing survival hopes. In Lithuania, an exceptionally close Toplyga title race remains open to almost half the division, while the Estonian Premium Liiga discussion covers Levadia’s position at the top, Flora’s Tallinn derby victory and the battles for Europe and survival. (00:00:33) Kauno Žalgiris secure European league-phase football (00:01:26) Auda stun FCSB in a landmark European victory (00:05:09) Best comeback ever? Žalgiris Vilnius make it to QR3 (00:07:35) European progress for RFS, Paide and Flora (00:11:26) European exits and the overall qualifying verdict (00:14:07) Latvian Virslīga: Riga FC and RFS contest the title (00:25:11) Virslīga player and result of the round (00:30:13) Lithuanian Toplyga: a remarkable six-team title race (00:41:23) Estonian Premium Liiga: Levadia lead as Flora respond For up to date comprehensive coverage of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian football, go to www.balticfootballnews.com. #latvia #lithuania #estonia #football #soccer #uefaconferenceleague #uefachampionsleague

The Baltic Football Podcast returns with a special episode reviewing the opening round of UEFA Champions League and Conference League qualification for clubs from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia! Our national experts discuss Kauno Žalgiris’ dramatic victory over Drita, the Champions League exits of Riga FC and Flora Tallinn, and the prospects of all three clubs as their European campaigns continue. We also assess strong Conference League performances from RFS, Žalgiris Vilnius, Paide Linnameeskond, Nõmme Kalju and FCI Levadia, including Levadia’s remarkable 10-0 aggregate victory. What went right and wrong during the first qualifying round, which Baltic clubs have realistic routes into the later stages, and the challenges awaiting them against opponents including KÍ Klaksvík, Vardar, The New Saints, Vestri, Dinamo Tbilisi, Zira, Shelbourne and IFK Göteborg? We also preview the European campaigns of Panevėžys and Auda, who enter the competition in the second qualifying round. (00:00:25) Kauno Žalgiris defeat Drita in a dramatic Champions League tie (00:03:01) Riga FC exit the Champions League and prepare for Vardar (00:04:34) Flora fall to Iberia and look ahead to The New Saints (00:07:10) RFS overcome Glentoran and face Icelandic side Vestri (00:08:15) Žalgiris Vilnius advance and prepare for Dinamo Tbilisi (00:10:09) Paide eliminate Hegelmann in the Baltic derby (00:12:59) Nõmme Kalju defeat Linfield and look ahead to Shelbourne (00:14:49) FCI Levadia win bigly and prepare for IFK Göteborg (00:15:56) Panevėžys and Auda enter European qualification Subscribe to the Baltic Football Podcast for more discussion and analysis from across the region, and visit balticfootballnews.com to keep abreast of current events in Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian club football!

In this episode of Pitchide, Harry and Tony look at the tightening Virslīga title race after the Riga derby, the standout players shaping the Baltic season, and the clubs battling to stay clear of trouble. In Lithuania, the title race has become one of the most unpredictable in the region, with Džiugas Telšiai, Kauno Žalgiris, Sūduva, TransINVEST, Banga and Žalgiris Vilnius all part of a shifting picture, whereas in Estonia, Levadia and Flora continue their eternal struggle to shape the title conversation. (00:00:24) Latvia: Virslīga Title Race (00:02:18) Auda, Liepāja and the European Picture (00:06:19) Latvia: Mid-Table and Relegation Battle (00:12:32) Latvian Player and Team of the Round (00:15:24) Lithuania: A New Leader and a Wide-Open Title Race (00:19:32) Žalgiris Vilnius, the Derby and the Chasing Pack (00:21:00) Lithuania: Relegation Battle and Riteriai Crisis (00:26:18) Lithuanian Player and Team of the Round (00:29:10) Estonia: Levadia, Flora and another Baltic CupTo stay up to date with Baltic football, visit balticfootballnews.com and follow us on social media!

FK Tukums 2000 striker and current Virsliga top scorer Ede Oloko joins the Baltic Football Podcast to talk through his flying start to the season, his push for the Virslīga golden boot, and why everything is clicking at Tukums right now. In this episode, Ede discusses the team morale behind Tukums’ attacking form, his personal goal-scoring ambitions, the hat-trick against Riga FC, life in Latvia, adapting from Nigeria to Baltic winters, and his longer-term dream of playing at the highest level. He also talks about Chelsea, Lewandowski, Victor Osimhen, Obafemi Martins, and Tukums’ target of pushing toward the top four. (00:01:37) Why Tukums are scoring - morale, connection and playing style (00:02:35) Golden boot ambitions (00:04:31) RFS, defenders, and playing without fear (00:06:31) The famous Riga FC hat-trick (00:08:56) Life in Latvia, forests, food, beaches and adapting to the cold (00:12:03) Career dreams, Chelsea, Lewandowski and Nigerian inspirations (00:13:25) Tukums’ top-four target and Ede’s loan situation For more interviews, up to date news and football from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, visit balticfootballnews.com

Can Baltic football leagues ever catch up with the Bundesliga - not financially, but in fan engagement, digital strategy and audience growth?In this episode of the Baltic Football Podcast, we look at what clubs in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia can learn from the Bundesliga’s digital ecosystem. The discussion moves from influencers such as Speed and KSI to the harder question of whether football clubs can turn online followers into real fans, ticket buyers, app users and engaged communities.We also discuss the difference between social media reach and audience ownership, why “likes” are not the same as people in the stands, and how Baltic clubs could use apps, ticketing, brand partnerships, music, fashion, fantasy football and local identity to build stronger football cultures.Topics include the Bundesliga’s digital engagement model, the Virsliga app, Blocksport, Kaunas Žalgiris, Riga FC music collaborations, FC Como, Wrexham, Hashtag FC, Dorking FC, fan data, club apps, network effects and the future of Baltic football.(00:02:10) Influencers, global audiences and football’s digital opportunity(00:07:31) Exposure, audience ownership and why likes are not enough(00:12:16) From social media to matchday: ticketing, sponsors and fan journeys(00:16:28) Brand ecosystems, club culture and Baltic football partnerships(00:22:08) Apps, platforms and the future of digital fan engagementSpecial ‘thank you’ to Blocksport.io for providing insight into behind the scenes of how their app setup works and for sharing some usage data! Check out what they do on their website or social media!To keep up with the latest football news from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, make sure to visit www.balticfootballnews.com and to follow us on social media! #latvia #lithuania #estonia #football #soccer #platformstrategy #digital #business

The early Baltic football season has already thrown up its first big questions: who can keep pace at the top, and which clubs are already being dragged into trouble? In this episode of Pitchside with Harry and Tony, the focus is on momentum, pressure and early warning signs across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. RFS are still leading in Latvia, but Auda have shown they can be got at. Riga FC are finding goals, Daugavpils are climbing, and the bottom of the Virsliga table is beginning to look uncomfortable for several sides. In Lithuania’s Toplyga, Kauno Žalgiris remain the side everyone is chasing, but TransINVEST’s shock win has opened up the conversation. Meanwhile, Žalgiris Vilnius and Šiauliai have already made coaching changes, and FK Riteriai’s financial crisis raises a bigger question about whether the club can survive the season. In Estonia, the title race is tight, with Paide, Nõmme Kalju and Levadia all setting the pace. But Flora’s slow start, Levadia’s derby statement, and the early relegation picture suggest the Premium Liiga could be much less predictable than expected. Players to keep an eye on include Josué Vergara, Iago Siqueira, Leo Ribeiro, Amin Benchaib and Boubacar Tambedou. (00:00:20) Latvia: RFS beaten, Auda rising and Riga FC chasing (00:02:58) Virsliga table picture: bottom-half struggles and Daugavpils’ turnaround (00:08:34) Lithuania: Kauno Žalgiris lead the way, but TransINVEST make a statement (00:10:54) Toplyga pressure points: coaching changes, European race and Riteriai’s crisis (00:20:45) Estonia: Paide, Nõmme Kalju and Levadia in a tight title race (00:23:36) Flora’s difficult start and the Premium Liiga relegation picture (00:27:15) Levadia’s Boubacar Tambedou and the key result of the Estonian round For latest football news and to keep up to date with current developments, visit www.balticfootballnews.com. Subscribe for regular Baltic football coverage, including the Latvian Virsliga, Lithuania’s Toplyga and Estonia’s Premium Liiga. #BalticFootball #Virsliga #Toplyga #PremiumLiiga #LatvianFootball #LithuanianFootball #EstonianFootball #RFS #RigaFC #Auda #KaunoZalgiris #Levadia #Paide #Flora #latvia #lithuania #estonia #football #soccer

Pitchside returns with a detailed scan of the Baltic football landscape as the new domestic season begins to take shape across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia! Harry and Tony break down RFS’s unbeaten start in Latvia, Auda’s improved attack and why their new Panama forward could change the club’s ceiling, while also assessing Riga FC’s early stumble at Liepāja and the pressure building on sides at the bottom end of the table. In Lithuania, FK Žalgiris face an early test of their title credentials, Hegelmann keep drawing, and Riteriai’s problems continue. In Estonia, the focus is on Nõmme Kalju’s perfect start, Nõmme United’s stunning 7-1 win over Vaprus, and the growing case for Nikita Ivanov to earn a senior national-team call-up. We close up with a review of the international break, including Estonia’s FIFA Series trip to Rwanda, Latvia’s narrow Nations League survival against Gibraltar, and Lithuania ending a 17-match winless run before drawing a strong home crowd against Georgia. (00:00:00) Latvia: RFS, Auda, Riga (00:06:22) Latvia players and result (00:09:40) Lithuania title race (00:13:30) Panevėžys make a change (00:14:45) Benchaib and Suduva draw (00:17:27) Estonia: Kalju lead (00:19:02) Nomme United’s 7-1 win (00:20:04) Ivanov for Estonia? (00:22:57) Estonia at FIFA Series (00:24:37) Latvia survive vs Gibraltar and what does it mean To keep up to date with latest football news from the Baltics, visit www.balticfootballnews.com and follow us on all major social media platforms! #latvia #estonia #lithuania #football #soccer #news

We are a month in and Baltic football has already given us contenders, warning signs and a few early surprises. In this episode of the Baltic Football Podcast, we break down the start of the season across Latvia’s Virslīga, Estonia’s Premium Liiga and Lithuania’s Toplyga: why RFS look steadier than expected, why Nõmme Kalju are the early surprise package, whether Kauno Žalgiris are setting the standard in Lithuania, and what is going wrong at Vilnius Žalgiris. We also get into FK Auda’s pace and depth, TransINVEST’s statement result, Riga FC’s uneven start, standout players in the Baltics, rising attendances in Lithuania, and the first refereeing controversy in Estonia. (00:01:28) RFS and the early Virslīga picture (00:03:02) Are Nõmme Kalju the biggest surprise so far? (00:03:47) FK Auda and TransINVEST catch the eye (00:06:41) Lithuania focus: Kauno Žalgiris set the pace (00:10:02) Vilnius Žalgiris problems and the wider Toplyga race (00:12:54) Bigger crowds and why Lithuania feels like the place to be (00:15:14) Latvia focus: Virslīga storylines so far (00:20:31) Ogre, Jelgava and the lower-table questions (00:23:12) Is Virslīga becoming a two-team title race? (00:25:56) Estonia focus: Nõmme Kalju, Flora concerns and Paide expectations (00:27:55) Estonian refereeing: Levadia want to see the manager (00:35:14) Racism in Baltics and in Baltic football (00:41:14) Latvia national team: Gibraltar, Paolo Nicolato and what comes next (00:42:14) Denniss Cirkins chooses Latvia over Ireland To stay atop football news from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, visit www.balticfootballnews.com and follow Baltic Football News on all major social networks!

The Baltic leagues are back, and 2026 is already shaping up to be exciting! Riga FC defending a title they snatched from RFS, Kauno Žalgiris coming off a historic season in Lithuania, and a very different-looking race in Estonia after Flora’s comeback. In this season preview, we run through what pre-season actually told us (and what it didn’t), why the first rounds on artificial grass can decide championships, the Super Cup talking points, and our early winners-and-relegation calls across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. All of this, plus: Pre-season friendlies and camps abroad (including Baltic sides testing themselves vs Dynamo Kyiv), the “Toplyga”/A Lyga rebrand debate, why Lithuania’s indoor matchday experience is setting the standard early-season, Riga FC’s early silverware and new faces, Nõmme Kalju’s statement win in Estonia, and rapid-fire predictions (plus relegation trouble spots). (00:00:29) 2026 season preview begins: what’s coming in the Baltic leagues (00:02:10) Pre-season notebook: Tallinn Cup, Dynamo Kyiv tests, camps abroad (00:03:52) Virsliga’s early plastic factor and why March points can decide titles (00:06:20) Lithuania’s “Toplyga” start: results, indoor football, and packed stands (00:08:10) Baltic winter, pitches, and the weather report (00:09:42) Super Cup roundup: Lithuania, Latvia in Turkey, Estonia in Paide + Livonian Cup (00:11:07) Riga FC focus: trophies already, new signings, and the start-of-season question (00:13:36) Estonia spotlight: Nõmme Kalju’s statement win and what it means for the title race (00:18:15) Premium Liiga race: Flora doubts, Levadia transition, and room for challengers (00:20:23) Website update (00:22:13) Lithuania deep-dive: dynasty league talk, “Leicester” seasons, and squad-building debates (00:27:38) Who wins 2026? Our picks for Lithuania/Latvia/Estonia + Europe prospects (00:29:21) Relegation watch and survival battles: who’s under pressure early? Follow the 2026 season with live tables, fixtures, match coverage and analysis on balticfootballnews.com. For clips, breaking updates and the best bits from around the Baltics, follow Baltic Football News on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and subscribe here so you don’t miss the next episode! #football #soccer #latvia #lithuania #estonia

Welcome to Pitchside - a new podcast segment with Baltic Football News' journalist Harry Brown and former FK Auda and Valmiera FC goalkeeping coach Tony McMullen! For a closer look at Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian football, join Tony and Harry Pitchside! This week is Lithuania-heavy because the Toplyga is the first of the three Baltic leagues to kick off. The headline is Kauno Žalgiris lifting the Lithuanian Super Cup - and then the wider question of whether this club is built to stay at the top and if their stadium, squad depth and support to make success sustainable? And then there’s also the post-match controversy: flares inside the arena, heavy smoke, and an evacuation, and a proper discussion about the balance between atmosphere, culture and basic safety. Plus, Pitchside’s new weekly picks: • Result of the Round: Džiugas Telšiai shocking Žalgiris Vilnius 3–2 away, capped by a late stoppage-time winner. • Player of the Round: Denis Bunchakov - goal, duels, recoveries, and a very specific “old-school Lampard” comparison. And a quick Round 1 wrap: Panevėžys 0-0 Sūduva, Hegelmann’s new era starting with defeat, TransINVEST letting a two-goal advantage slip, and Kaunas needing late goals to get past 10-man Riteriai. (00:00:02) Super Cup + Toplyga kickoff (00:08:30) Early favourites (00:11:10) Livonia Cup (Flora vs Riga FC) (00:13:09) Reading preseason form (00:26:44) Closing For up-to-date football news from Toplyga, Virsliga and Premium liiga, visit www.balticfootballnews.com and follow us on social media! #latvia #lithuania #estonia #zalgiris #vilnius #riga #tallinn #toplyga #virsliga #premiumliiga