Latvian midfielder Lūkass Vapne registered his first assist of the season as Sogndal came from behind to defeat Ranheim 3-2 in Norway’s second tier on Sunday. Latvian players were also in action in Finland and the Czech Republic.
The 22-year-old once again started in midfield and played a key role in Sogndal’s comeback. Trailing 1-2, Vapne delivered an excellent cross from the left wing in the 79th minute that found Finnish attacking player Tuomas Pippola at the far post, with the player heading home to level the score. It was Vapne’s first assist of the campaign, adding to the two league goals he has already scored this season.
Sogndal completed the turnaround in dramatic fashion deep into stoppage time, although Vapne had already been substituted. The hosts were awarded a penalty, with Pippola stepping up to take it, only to see his effort saved by the goalkeeper. The rebound fell kindly to a teammate, who squared the ball across goal for Preben Asp to tap into an empty net and secure all three points.
Vapne played 84 minutes and was also shown a yellow card during what was his 15th league appearance of the season. The victory lifts Sogndal to 11th place in the 16-team OBOS-ligaen standings with 18 points. They return to action next Sunday away to Lyn.
In Finland, Latvia Under-19 forward Nils Veinbergs came off the bench late on as TPS suffered a narrow 0-1 away defeat to HJK Helsinki in the Veikkausliiga. The 19-year-old made his third appearance since joining on loan from fellow top-flight side Ilves. Earlier this season, Veinbergs impressed at Ekenäs in Finland’s second division, scoring five goals in 12 league matches.
TPS sit eighth in the 12-team Veikkausliiga table with 22 points from 17 matches and will host Mariehamn next Saturday.
Meanwhile, in the Czech First League, Marko Regža made a brief late cameo as Hradec Kralove opened the new league season with a 2-1 home victory over Pardubice.
Hradec Kralove established a two-goal lead with strikes either side of half-time before Pardubice pulled one back to set up a tense finish. Regža was introduced in the final seconds of stoppage time to help his side see out the victory.
The 27-year-old forward and Hradec Králové now turn their attention to European competition, hosting Norwegian side Tromso on Thursday in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie after securing a 1-0 victory in the first leg.
Sources: https://www.sogndalfotball.no/resultater/kamp?id=8986724
https://www.veikkausliiga.com/tilastot/2026/veikkausliiga/ottelut/4036953/seuranta/
http://en.fortunaliga.cz/zapas/8331-hkr-fkp
