Grabovskis strikes late as Metta hold Daugavpils to a 2–2 draw in Jūrmala

In the opening match of the TonyBet Virslīga’s 18th round, FK Metta came from behind twice to snatch a 2–2 draw against BFC Daugavpils, thanks to a late goal from Kristaps Grabovskis. The match was held at Sloka Stadium in Jūrmala, Metta’s “new” home ground for the season.

It was a significant night for Metta, who were playing their first home game in Jūrmala after a tough stretch of four consecutive defeats and a 12-game winless run. Daugavpils, meanwhile, came into the match on the back of learning their UEFA debut opponents earlier that day. Their last victory came on May 25th in a narrow 1–0 win over FS Jelgava.

Metta head coach Andris Riherts made just one change to the starting lineup from the previous league fixture, bringing in Kristaps Grabovskis in place of Rūdolfs Kļavinskis. Daugavpils made three changes: Raivis Skrebels and Wally Fofana were drafted into the side, while Edgars Ivanovs, who had returned from injury in the last match against Liepāja, started his first game since May 4th.

The match began with immediate drama as Daugavpils were awarded a penalty in the opening minutes after Gianluca Scremin fouled Dāvis Cucurs inside the box. Boubou Diallo stepped up and converted with confidence to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.

Daugavpils had chances to extend their lead—most notably a header from Edgars Ivanovs that flew just over the bar—but Metta responded in the 39th minute. Following a corner delivered by Markuss Ivulāns, defender Alans Kangars rose highest to head the ball past Jānis Beks and level the score at 1–1.

Just before the break, another defensive error from Metta proved costly. Kristofers Rēķis committed a foul on Daugavpils’ key attacker Barthelemy Diedhiou inside the area, and once again Diallo stepped up. The forward made no mistake, netting his second penalty of the night and putting Daugavpils 2–1 ahead. As the saying goes, “he so nice, he had to do it twice.”

In the 78th minute, Saymah Kamara, the Sierra Leonean midfielder in just his third Virslīga appearance, unleashed a powerful shot from 20 meters. Jānis Beks parried the effort, but the rebound fell kindly to Kristaps Grabovskis, who headed it home to earn Metta a deserved equalizer.

The game ended 2–2, extending Metta’s winless run to 13 matches, though the draw halted their four-game losing streak. Daugavpils, meanwhile, remain without a win in three straight away matches.

Looking ahead, Daugavpils will return home in four days to host FK Tukums 2000, while Metta will travel to face FK Liepāja on the same day.

FK Metta vs BFC Daugavpils – 2:2 (1:2)
Goals: Kangars 39′ Grabovskis 78′ | Diallo 3′ 45’+1 (both penalty kicks)
MET: Parfjonovs, Vilnis, Kangars, Minkevičs, Lauan, Scremin (Kļavinskis 71′), Rēķis (S. Kamara 46′), Evelons (Saleh 60′), Čiņajevs (Bangura 90’+1), Grabovskis (M. Kamara 90’+1), Ivulāns
DAU: Beks, Mihaļcovs, Kudeļkins, Williams, Cucurs (Kone 60′), Skrebels, Ivanovs, Barkovskis (Diakite 60′), Fofana (Lizunovs 82′), Diedhiou (Galajs 82′), Diallo

Virslīga Matchday 18 games:

• 17.06.2025 – FK Metta vs BFC Daugavpils – 2:2
• 17.06.2025 – FK Tukums 2000 vs FS Jelgava – 1:1
• 17.06.2025 – SK Super Nova vs FK Liepāja – 1:3
• 18.06.2025 – FK Grobiņa vs FK Auda – 18:00
• 18.06.2025 – Riga FC vs FC RFS – 20:00