The Latvian U-19 team made a significant surprise in the opening match of the Elite Round. In the 87th minute, Viktors Dobrecovs’ team equalized the game thanks to Helvijs Joksts goal securing a historic point against the host Italian U-19 national team, resulting in a final score of 1-1.
Jeff Ekhator opened the scoring in the 28th minute, putting the hosts ahead. Substitute Helvijs Joksts equalized three minutes before the end of regulation time on the first Latvian corner kick, when Markuss Strods delivered a great ball that was headed by the FK Tukums 2000 player—1:1.
In the end, the Italians applied more pressure, and Lenards Bērziņš even received a straight red card, but Kristers Gabriels Bite was great in goal as the Latvians held on to a draw against the hosts.
In another first-round match on Wednesday, Spain defeated France 2:1.
In the tournament’s next match, the Latvian youth team will face France on Saturday, while Spain will be their opponents on Tuesday.
Only the top seven teams in their groups will advance to the Elite Round, where they will join hosts Romania in the final tournament in June.
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18159/u-19-izlase-elites-kartu-sak-ar-neizskirtu-pret-italiju/