Riga FC’s UEFA Futsal Champions League quarter-final begins with a daunting trip to Mallorca on Sunday, where they face three-time reigning European champions Palma.
Kick-off is at 19:00 Latvian time, with the second leg scheduled for Friday 6th March in Riga (19:30). The tie marks the third successive season in which Riga Futsal have come within one step of the final four, having previously finished second in their Elite Round group behind Spanish opponents.
This season’s competition has moved away from the Elite Round format, replacing it with a last-16 and quarter-final. Riga Futsal came through a strong main-round group in Malta, finishing second behind Benfica after a 6-1 defeat, and beating St Andrews 4-1 and Loznica 2-0. In the last 16, they recovered from 0-2 down to draw 3-3 away to Prishtina 01 before winning the home leg 8-1.
Palma won all three of their main-round matches at home and then progressed from the last 16 against Ukraine’s HIT after drawing 2-2 away and winning 4-2 at home. Despite never winning the Spanish league title, Palma have dominated in Europe, lifting the Champions League trophy in three straight seasons, beating Sporting CP, Barcelona and Kairat in the finals.
Riga have refreshed their squad for the knockout stage, with Brazilian Fredrik Gois departing and fellow Brazilian Mateus Preá arriving. The visitors have also named three goalkeepers in their Champions League squad, including Brazil World Cup winner Diego Roncáglio.
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Source: https://sportacentrs.com/futbols/futzals/22022026-latvijas_grandam_riga_cempionu_ligas_1_4_
