---
title: "Daugavpils secure European qualification as Liepāja collapse against ten-man Super Nova"
date: 2026-11-01T13:21:41Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/daugavpils-secure-european-qualification-as-liepaja-collapse-against-ten-man-super-nova/
categories: ["Virsliga", "Virsliga - match reports"]
---

# Daugavpils secure European qualification as Liepāja collapse against ten-man Super Nova
**BFC Daugavpils have secured European qualification for only the second time in their history after defeating FK Tukums 2000 2-0 at home in Matchday 35 of the Latvian Tonybet Virslīga. Meanwhile, their direct rivals FK Liepāja surrendered the lead three times in a dramatic 3-3 home draw against ten-man SK Super Nova, confirming Daugavpils’ historic fourth-place finish and leaving Liepāja without European football next season.**

Heading into the penultimate round, Daugavpils held a one-point advantage over Liepāja in the battle for the final European qualification spot. A victory against Tukums would put Daugavpils in a commanding position, while Liepāja knew that if their rivals won, only three points against Super Nova would keep their hopes alive.

Daugavpils delivered exactly what was required, producing a controlled performance against Tukums to claim a crucial victory.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Ervīns Piņaskins found the net following a corner kick, giving Daugavpils a 1-0 advantage. The visitors were unable to find a response, and Daugavpils eventually doubled their lead in the 76th minute. A quick counterattack ended with Piņaskins providing the decisive pass for Daniel Kiwinda, who finished to make it 2-0 and put the result beyond doubt.

Piņaskins finished the afternoon with a goal and an assist as Daugavpils completed their part of the job, leaving Liepāja needing a victory to prevent their rivals from securing European qualification.

However, events on the other side of Latvia unfolded in extraordinary fashion. Liepāja welcomed Super Nova knowing that anything less than three points would end their European ambitions, and the hosts initially appeared on course to secure the required result.

After a relatively quiet opening half, Liepāja took the lead in the 39th minute when Amar Haidara converted following an assist from Bart Straalman.

The goal gave the hosts a narrow advantage heading into the interval, but the second half developed into a chaotic encounter filled with defensive mistakes, a red card and repeated changes in momentum.

Super Nova drew level in the 54th minute after a costly error from Andriy Korobenko. Valerijs Lizunovs capitalised on the mistake to make it 1-1, putting Liepāja’s European hopes under immediate pressure.

The visitors then suffered a major setback in the 63rd minute when Latvia international midfielder Eduards Emsis received a straight red card, leaving Super Nova to play the remainder of the match with ten men.

Liepāja needed just three minutes to take advantage of their numerical superiority. Haidara produced an outstanding strike into the top corner in the 66th minute, restoring the hosts’ lead with his second goal of the afternoon.

With Liepāja back in front and enjoying a one-man advantage, the hosts appeared to have regained control of their European destiny.

However, Super Nova refused to surrender. In the 77th minute, Jegors Cīrulis attempted a shot from outside the penalty area, which Liepāja goalkeeper Dāvis Ošs managed to save. Lizunovs reacted quickest to the rebound and calmly converted from close range, completing his brace and bringing the visitors level for a second time.

Liepāja were handed another opportunity to reclaim the lead just a few minutes later when the referee awarded a penalty. The responsibility fell to Joseph Ede Oloko, Liepāja’s leading scorer and the Virslīga’s top goalscorer.

Super Nova goalkeeper Dāvis Viljams Veisbuks managed to save the Nigerian striker’s initial effort, but Oloko reacted quickest to the rebound and converted to restore Liepāja’s advantage at 3-2.

It was Oloko’s 29th league goal of the campaign, and once again the hosts appeared to have done enough to keep their European hopes alive.

Yet another defensive lapse proved costly. Despite their numerical advantage, Liepāja allowed former player Ivans Patrikejevs to run in behind their defensive line. Patrikejevs then found Agris Glaudāns, who finished to make it 3-3.

The equaliser sparked celebrations among the Super Nova players and provided equally welcome news for Daugavpils, whose European qualification was now within touching distance.

Liepāja desperately searched for a fourth goal during the closing stages, knowing that only a victory could keep them in contention.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Vjačeslavs Isajevs had a golden opportunity to restore the hosts’ lead once again.

The defender rose to meet a delivery inside the penalty area and directed a header towards goal, but Veisbuks produced an outstanding save to preserve the draw and deny Liepāja a dramatic late winner.

The final whistle confirmed a remarkable 3-3 draw, with Liepāja having surrendered the lead three times, including twice while playing against ten men.

The dropped points ended Liepāja’s hopes of qualifying for European competition, confirming that the Kurzeme club cannot finish higher than fifth in the Virslīga standings.

For Daugavpils, however, the afternoon marked a historic achievement. Their 2-0 victory over Tukums, combined with Liepāja’s failure to defeat Super Nova, secured fourth place in the league standings – the highest finish in BFC Daugavpils’ history.

The result also means that Daugavpils will return to European competition next summer for only the second time in the club’s history.

**BFC Daugavpils vs FK Tukums 2000 – 2-0 (1-0)**  
**Goals:** Piņaskins 29′, Kiwinda 73′

**FK Liepāja vs SK Super Nova – 3-3 (1-0)**  
**Goals:** Haidara 39′ 67′, Oloko 81′ | Lizunovs 54′ 77′, Glaudāns 85′