The draw for the Latvian Cup Round of 16 was held today at the Latvian Football Federation (LFF), setting up several intriguing matchups, including a historic first encounter between JFK Ventspils and Liepāja.
JFK Ventspils are a phoenix club of the legendary FK Ventspils, who used to play a tense and hotly contested Kurzeme Derby against FK Liepāja. Currently third in the second tier, JFK Ventspils will face a tough test against a rejuvenated FK Liepāja side under Andreas Alm, which is showing commendable form in the Virslīga.
At least one Nākotnes līga (second tier) club will reach the quarterfinals as Riga Mariners drew AFA Olaine. For Riga Mariners, this was likely the best possible draw as the struggling Olaine only managed five points from ten matches this season. The Mariners, on the other hand, advanced to this round after a thrilling 4–3 extra-time win over Valmiera FC (now in third tier). In that match, Aļģirdas Gražis scored twice—bringing his total to 10 goals in his last six appearances.
Olaine, meanwhile, secured their spot in the Round of 16 with a 5–3 victory over lower-tier Pļaviņas, a club from the fourth division.
JDFS Alberts, currently leading the Nākotnes līga, will face last year’s second tier champions SK Super Nova. Last season, the two sides met twice, with Super Nova winning both encounters 2–0 and 1–0, respectively. Now back in the Virslīga, Super Nova has shown resilience, collecting 17 points from 19 matches and playing disciplined, methodical football.
Also joining the lineup is SC Mārupe, a team from the upper half of the Nākotnes līga standings. After crashing out of last year’s competition in a 1–4 loss to Auda, they will face FK Metta this year in what will be a ‘green-white derby’, owing to both clubs wearing almost identical colours. To reach this stage, Mārupe defeated lower-division teams Ķekava/Auda (FK Auda’s academy squad) and Riga United, both with a convincing 3–0 scoreline.
Full draw results:
- JDFS Alberts – SK Super Nova
- Riga Mariners – AFA Olaine
- Leevon PPK – BFC Daugavpils
- FS Jelgava – FC RFS
- Mārupes SC – FK Metta
- JFK Ventspils – FK Liepāja
- FK Auda – FK Grobiņa
- Riga FC – FK Tukums 2000
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled to take place on July 12 and 13. Exact kickoff times will be announced separately.
The Latvian Cup final is set for October 30.
Since the tournament’s inception in 1936, 39 different clubs have lifted the historic trophy. Since Latvia regained independence, 13 different teams have claimed cup glory. The current holders of the title are FC RFS.
