---
title: "Gul’a urges Riga players to enjoy moment but stay focused"
date: 2025-08-16T13:19:55Z
lang: en
author: "Dmitrijs Kravcenko"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/gula-urges-riga-players-to-enjoy-moment-but-stay-focused/
categories: ["Conference League"]
---

# Gul’a urges Riga players to enjoy moment but stay focused
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**Speaking to club media after the match in Ploiești, Riga FC head coach Adrian Gul’a praised his players for their progress in Europe but warned that the team’s ambitions stretch further.**

On Thursday night, Riga lost 1–3 to Beitar Jerusalem in the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round second leg. Despite the defeat, the Latvian side advanced 4–3 on aggregate and booked a place in the play-off round, where they will face Czech giants Sparta Prague.

“_These were two fantastic matches, and now we have a wonderful opponent in Sparta_,” Gul’a said. “_I’m happy, but I want the players to enjoy this moment as well, because opportunities to play in the play-off round don’t come often. At the same time, they must understand what they’ve achieved and that the work is not yet finished. Our dream is bigger_.”

## Fighting Spirit After a Tough Start

Riga carried a 3–0 cushion from the home tie, but Beitar came out swinging in Romania. By half-time, the Israeli side had pulled two goals back.

“_The first half was not easy,_” Gul’a admitted. “_Beitar believed they could still win, and we knew from their 5–0 victory over Sutjeska in the previous round that they were confident. After the break we changed our positioning, and in the second half we played really strong football. We could have secured the result earlier, but this was a good school for our players. We beat a very strong opponen_t.”

The Slovakian coach highlighted not just tactical adjustments, but also the hunger shown by his squad.

“_All the players wanted to run, fight, press, and give everything for the team_,” Gul’a stressed. “_I appreciate the fighting spirit, the team character, and some excellent solutions in defense. I’m grateful to the whole squad, because even the substitutes came on and changed the game. That is the strength of our team_.”

He also praised Beitar’s quality: “_They have very good players, and their pressing and possession-based style of football is something I personally enjoy watching._”

## What’s Next for Riga

Riga FC will now turn their attention to Sparta Prague, who crushed Ararat-Armenia 6–2 on aggregate in their tie. The Latvians reached this stage after edging Georgia’s Dila Gori 5–4 in the second qualifying round, while Beitar had overpowered Sutjeska 7–3 before falling short against Riga.

Last year, Riga failed to progress beyond the second qualifying round. This summer, with Sparta Prague up next, Gul’a insists his team has already made history — but he wants more.

“_Our dreams are not fulfilled yet_,” he concluded. “_We have to keep going_.”