Latvian U20 handball team crushes Estonia ahead of European Championship

Latvia's young handball players are preparing for the upcoming European Championship in Romania with a convincing victory. In a friendly match against Estonia's U20 squad, Latvia secured a crushing 35-15 win. The first half ended with Latvia leading 20-10.

Top scorer Valdis Kalniņš netted ten goals, Endijs Šnepsts added six, and Marks Lilienfelds scored five.

Estonian coach Janars Megi acknowledged Latvia's physical superiority and better preparation after the match.

Earlier, the Latvian youth team won the Baltic Sea Cup by defeating Finland twice in Daugavpils: 34-28 and 27-25.

The European Championship top division tournament starts on July 8 in Romania. Latvia is in a group with defending champions Spain, Austria, and Iceland.

Estonia will compete in the B division in Kosovo against Italy, the Netherlands, hosts Kosovo, Georgia, and Montenegro.

Last year, Latvia's U20 team lost in the second-tier final to Slovakia.

The squad includes talented players such as goalkeepers Kristers Vēveris, Maksis Pešiks, and Uvis Mikāls, as well as field players from various Latvian sports schools and foreign clubs.