Latvian futsal sees big legion in Poland's Ekstraklasa, Virslīga MVP debuts with a hat-trick

Several Latvian futsal players took part in the opening round of Poland's top futsal league, the Ekstraklasa, with one standout debut performance.

Ūdris scores hat-trick despite defeat

Renards Ūdris, the 20-year-old named the most valuable player of Latvia's Virslīga this past spring, scored three goals in his debut match for Leszno. His goals helped the team claw back from trailing 1:6 to level at 6:6, but the hosts ultimately lost 7:9 to Bochnia. Bochnia's squad included 22-year-old goalkeeper Rainers Mūrnieks, who remained on the bench. Ūdris also recorded an assist and, late in the match, went on as an outfield player in place of the goalkeeper in an attempt to salvage the result.

Other Latvian players scored for a Białystok club, which nonetheless lost 3:7 at home, while other clubs featuring Latvian legionnaires also suffered defeats in the opening round.

Legionnaires across Europe

Several transfers took place over the summer. One Latvian player who joined Bochnia this summer ultimately moved on to a French runner-up club, while others continue their careers in Belgium's and Italy's top divisions, including a move between Italy's top two tiers.

On the international stage, an Armenian club coached by a Latvian advanced through the Champions League qualifying round, winning all three of its matches at home. A different club will now take the place of Latvia's former Riga-based club in the Champions League, and will travel to face the Latvian legionnaire's Belgian club.

Season ahead

Latvia's Virslīga season will begin in mid-September with matches held in several towns. Meanwhile, the Latvian national futsal team will play its World Cup qualifying group matches in October and November against the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan, with home fixtures scheduled for late February and early March next year.