Outsiders Latvia reach Euro finals
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Latvian coach Starkovs is hoisted high by his delighted players.
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EURO 2004 PLAYOFFS
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Netherlands win 6-1 on aggregate
Spain win 5-1 on aggregate
Croatia win 2-1 on aggregate
Latvia win 3-2 on aggregate
Russia win 1-0 on aggregate
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| EURO 2004 QUALIFIERS |
Portugal (hosts), France, Denmark, Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Greece, England, Bulgaria, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain, Latvia, Netherlands, Russia.
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ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Maris Verpakovskis scored one goal and set up another as Latvia secured its first trip to the European Championship finals after holding Turkey to a 2-2 draw for a 3-2 aggregate win.
A stunning volley from Ilhan Mansiz put Turkey ahead after 21 minutes while a close-range chip from Hakan Sukur made it 2-0 on 64 minutes.
But Verpakovskis set up Jurijs Laizans two minutes later and scored one of his own in the 77th as Latvia advanced to the 2004 finals in Portugal.
The result came after Latvia pulled out a stunning 1-0 victory over the World Cup semifinalists in Riga on Saturday.
"We've created a sensation in Europe. Turkey were favorites and I'm very happy that we won," said Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs, who singled out Verpakovskis for special praise.
Latvian Football Federation President Guntis Indriksons told state television: "This is the greatest achievement in Latvian football history, and the result of years of hard work."
Verpakovskis sealed the aggregate victory running into the penalty area and beating keeper Omer Catkic with a right-footed lob under pressure.
The fiercely partisan Turkish crowd booed their players off the pitch while applauding Latvia. They also chanted for the resignation of coach Senol Gunes.
Latvia had few chances in a match dominated by the playmaking skills of Nihat Kahveci on the right and Tumer Metin on the left, the latter setting up Turkey's first goal with a pinpoint cross.
However, Turkey created few scoring chances as the Latvians defended in force and striker Hakan Sukur looked out of sorts, failing to control a series of passes from midfield.
"Our tactics were successful. We played counter-attacking football," Starkovs said. "The Turkish crowd for their part were great. They applauded us... That doesn't happen everywhere."
Turkey were forced to battle with Latvia in the playoffs after a scoreless draw with England last month that gave the English the automatic spot from Group 7.
Latvia made it to the playoffs after defeating Poland, Hungary, and then Sweden, the group winners but now look forward to a first major finals.
Although they played international soccer before becoming part of the Soviet Union in 1940, Latvia have only been operating as an independent nation since 1991.
