The stage is set for a historic showdown in the 2025 Baltic Women’s Football League (BWFL) final, as Latvian champions Riga FC Women will face Lithuanian side MFA Žalgiris in what promises to be a thrilling test for two young clubs.
Riga FC brush RFS Women aside in a Big Riga Derby
In the highly anticipated all-Latvian semifinal played on October 8, Riga FC Women secured a narrow 2–1 victory over RFS Women at their home ground in Riga. The match was a showcase of early intensity, with all goals coming in the first half.
Sierra Leone international Kumba Brima starred for the home side, opening the scoring in the 12th minute and later restoring Riga’s lead in the 25th minute after Anastasija Čemirtāne had equalized from the penalty spot in the 22nd. Despite RFS Women’s efforts, they could not find another breakthrough, and Riga FC held on to book their first-ever place in a BWFL final.
Riga FC Women had been dominant throughout the tournament, finishing the regular season undefeated with four wins from four matches, while RFS Women scraped into the semifinals with just one win and two draws.
MFA Žalgiris shock Gintra in a historic win
Lithuania’s MFA Žalgiris also booked a historic ticket to their first BWFL final, defeating domestic powerhouse Gintra 2–1 in their semifinal on September 28 at the Šiauliai City Central Stadium.
Nigerian striker Olamide Adugbe was the standout performer, netting both goals for the Vilnius side in the 13th and 31st minutes. The first came from a penalty following a foul on team captain Ugnė Lazdauskaitė, and the second from a brilliant solo effort in the penalty area. Gintra responded in the second half through Laura Spenazzatto in the 56th minute, but Žalgiris’ resolute defending saw them hang on for a famous win — their first ever against the reigning Lithuanian champions.
Head coach Vadim Carabețchi praised his players’ composure and tactical discipline:
“I think the first half was nearly perfect. The second goal helped us stay calm and believe in victory. This was a historic win for us.”
MFA Žalgiris had finished second in the regular season standings with nine points, behind Riga FC, while Gintra placed third with seven points.
Finals Set for October in Riga and Šiauliai
The BWFL Final will take place in Riga, giving Riga FC Women home advantage as they aim to become the first Latvian club to win the BWFL since its re-establishment in 2017. MFA Žalgiris, meanwhile, are chasing their first-ever international title.
The third-place match between RFS Women and Gintra will be held in Šiauliai, as both teams seek to end their campaigns on a high.
The Baltic Women’s Football League, originally launched in 2005 and revived in 2017, features six teams — two each from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The format includes a single-round group stage followed by knockout semifinals and placement matches. Latvian clubs have previously achieved third-place finishes in 2017, 2019, and 2022. Last season, RFS Women reached the final but lost 1–2 to Estonia’s Flora Tallinn.
With Flora and Saku Sporting eliminated in the group stage this year, the final will be contested between Latvian and Lithuanian sides — underlining the shifting dynamics in Baltic women’s football.
