Can Riga FC pull off a European upset, or will Sparta Praha’s firepower prove too much of an obstacle? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know ahead of the UEFA Conference League play-off round clash. From Sparta’s resurgent form and key stars to Riga’s chances of making history, this is the ultimate preview for fans following Baltic and Central European football.

Joining us is Czech journalist and die-hard Sparta fan Filip Horký to discuss Sparta’s resurgence, their key players, and what Riga will be up against in Prague and Riga.

👉 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more episodes of the Baltic Football Podcast. Join the conversation on X, Instagram, and in the comments — we’d love to hear your predictions for Sparta Praha vs Riga FC.

🌍 For the latest Baltic football news, features, and analysis, visit balticfootballnews.com

In this episode, we sit down with Moshe Ziat, Israeli football commentator and lifelong Beitar Jerusalem fan, to discuss the historic, cultural, and tactical dimensions of Beitar ahead of their UEFA Conference League qualifier against Riga FC.

🔔 Subscribe for more exclusive interviews and Baltic football coverage.

(00:01:25) – Beitar 101: Who Are They?

(00:04:45) – European Drama & Bucharest Blunders

(00:07:55) – Zionism Meets Football

(00:17:10) – Passionate Fans & Misunderstood Identity

(00:23:00) – Controversies & UEFA Concerns

(00:27:30) – Tactics & Team Shape

(00:29:00) – Player Spotlight & Predictions

For latest info about football in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, visit www.balticfootballnews.com and follow us on social media!

#conferenceleague #betar #beitar #rigafc #uecl #balticfootball #football #soccer #riga #israel

Swedish football journalist Josip Ladan joins us to preview Malmö FF’s highly anticipated Champions League qualifier against RFS. From tactical insights and key players to Malmö’s European mindset, this is the ultimate pre-match breakdown ahead of this tie.

(01:22) – Malmö FF's origin story & fan culture

(03:24) – Malmö’s golden years & European legacy

(04:58) – 2025 season challenges: form, injuries, and tactics

(08:40) – Rydström’s coaching philosophy and tactical stubbornness

(12:45) – How Malmö adapts to low-block teams like RFS (in Europe)

(14:20) – Central midfield engine: Lasse Berg-Jonsson & Otto Rosengren

(17:08) – Youth vs experience in Malmö’s squad

(18:35) – Spotlight on Taha Ali: the futsal-turned-football star

(21:24) – Weaknesses to exploit: striker shortage & wing fatigue

(23:30) – Malmö’s threat on set pieces

(24:45) – Prediction & reflection on Malmö’s Baltic trauma

Will RFS pull off another Baltic upset? Can Malmö overcome their striker woes? Josip breaks it all down with honesty and humour.

Traveling to Latvia for the match? Check our fan guide: www.balticfootballnews.com

Subscribe for more Baltic football interviews, match previews, and exclusive insights!

#RFS #malmoff #ChampionsLeague #BalticFootball #UCL #Football #SwedishFootball #LatvianFootball #riga #sweden #latvia #malmö #soccer #europeanfootball

It’s been a wild start to European competition for clubs from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia! In this episode, we break down the highs and lows of Champions League and Conference League Qualification Round 1 — including the dramatic RFS vs Levadia Baltic Derby, shocking eliminations, tactical surprises, and a look ahead to Round 2.We also explore what this means for UEFA coefficients, club development, and the growing identity of Baltic football in Europe.👇 Full breakdown below!⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps:(01:03) – Champions League Overview(01:30) – RFS vs Levadia: Baltic Derby Breakdown(05:40) – Žalgiris Vilnius Collapse & 14-Penalty Shootout(08:30) – What’s Next for RFS & Levadia in QR2(10:00) – Latvia’s Early Exits: Auda & Daugavpils Disappointments(13:45) – Hegelmann Crash Out to St. Patrick’s(15:20) – Kauno Žalgiris Cruise Past Penybont(16:55) – Banga Draw Rosenborg: Mission Impossible?(18:30) – Paide Smash Magpies, Set Up AIK Stockholm Battle(19:45) – Kalju’s Surprise Win Over Partizani(21:00) – QR2 Preview: What’s at Stake for Baltic ClubsFor away fans travelling to Baltic matches, check out our free fan guide: https://balticfootballnews.comFull match stats, previews, and more on the website!

Join us as we sit down with Grégory Vignal — former Liverpool, Lens and Rangers defender and current FC RFS assistant coach.In this exclusive interview, Gregory shares his insights into Latvian and Baltic football, the technical strengths and physical gaps he’s observed, and how he’s applying lessons from elite clubs like Liverpool to develop players at RFS.-Gregory’s first impressions of football in Latvia and the Baltics-How Baltic players compare technically and physically to those in Scotland and England -The importance of speed, technique, and a “no excuses” mentality in modern football -Life in Riga and his experience working with RFS -RFS’s ambitions in the domestic league and European competitionsWhether you’re a Baltic football fan, an RFS supporter, or just love hearing from pros who’ve played at the highest level, this conversation is a must-watch!👉 Subscribe for more Baltic football interviews and insights.👍 Like the video if you enjoy it, and drop your questions for Gregory in the comments below!#GregoryVignal #RFS #BalticFootball #LatvianFootball #Liverpool #RangersFC #soccer #championsleague #riga

This week, Baltic football takes center stage in Europe! Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian clubs are gearing up for crucial clashes in both the UEFA Champions League and the Conference League qualifiers.What to look out for:-The Baltic derby between Levadia and RFS in the Champions League-Žalgiris Vilnius battling Hamrun Spartans from Malta-Kauno Žalgiris heavy favorites against Penybont of Wales-Nõmme Kalju, Daugavpils, Hegelmann, Auda, and Flora Tallinn chasing Conference League success-Key odds and predictions for every match-What’s at stake for Baltic nations in UEFA rankingsCan the Baltic underdogs spring surprises on the European stage? Who will carry the region’s hopes forward?Don’t miss this full preview of all the action, with insights into the teams, form, and what’s riding on each match! Go to BalticFootballNews.com for in-depth analysis and latest football news from the Baltics!Like, comment, and subscribe for more Baltic football updates and European football previews!#BalticFootball #ChampionsLeague #ConferenceLeague #Lithuania #Latvia #Estonia #UEFA #FootballNews #soccer #virsliga #alyga #premiumliiga

In this episode, we catch up on the Baltics leagues to see What's Hot and What's Not in Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian football before delving into the hype and opportunities of Artificial Intelligence in football - from how it's been used elsewhere to what are the potential use cases in the context of the Baltics.(00:02:00) Riga FC are Hot(00:04:22) Riga FC Women are HOT!!(00:08:00) FS Jelgava are Hot(00:09:52) FK Suduva are Hot(00:14:00) Kauno Zalgiris are Hot (and Vilnius Zalgiris are Not hot)(00:15:40) Flora are Hot(00:17:37) Standout moments thus far(00:19:07) Looking ahead to Europe(00:23:05) Dainava are ICE Cold(00:26:05) Riteriai are Not hot (again)(00:28:27) Metta's attitude is Not hot(00:32:26) Artificial Intelligence in football(00:55:01) Frank's and Dmitrijs's suggestions for trying AI#football #ai #artificialintelligence #soccer #latvia #lithuania #estonia #virsliga #alyga #premiumliiga

Recent weeks kicked up some alarming news about the President of the Estonian FA allegedly blacklisting referees he doesn't like and the owners of FK Riteriai allegedly embezzling funds intended for running of the club. As we unpack all of this and catch up on the football side of things across the A Lyga, Virslīga and the Premium liiga, these developments also promted us to take a closer look at the quality of governance in football in the Baltics. Hence, the 'Dodgy Governance Index' was born, ranking the governance structures of all 30 clubs from 'most dodgy' to 'not dodgy'. Where does your club fall on this spectrum?

(00:01:05) Premium liiga update

(00:06:06) Virslīga update

(00:13:17) A Lyga update

(00:23:55) Does Frank know what "Žalgiris" means?

(00:24:55) Referee blacklisting in Estonia

(00:34:28) Embezzlement scandal at Riteriai

(00:41:20) The Dodgy Governance Index

For latest and most up to date news from the world of Baltic football in English, follow balticfootballnews.com

#latvia #lithuania #estonia #football #soccer #governance #finance #alyga #virsliga #premiumliiga #news #footballnews

Baltic football is now underway, so we catch-up on what’s been happening before the first international break of 2025 – whether it’s the surprising results in Estonia, edge-of-your seat friction in Latvia, and absolute mayhem in Lithuania, the start of the season in the region is exceeding all expectations.

For the second part of the episode, Frank sits down with the President of the Latvian Football Federation, Vadims Ļašenko, to find out about the plans and activities around developing professional men’s and women’s football in Latvia.

(00:01:23) Premium liiga update

(00:04:28) Virsliga update

(00:05:43) A Lyga update

(00:11:00) What is the impact of the increased foreign player registration fee?

(00:20:56) The new LFF/Virsliga working group

(00:24:07) Why is Latvia losing so many Champion clubs?

(00:33:14) What is LFF doing to raise the level of lower divisions?

(00:35:05) Why is Latvia the only European country without a Cat IV stadium?

(00:42:45) Goals for the National Teams in this cycle

(00:54:56) Latvians in Scotland

(00:56:16) Working with the Latvian diaspora

(01:01:13) Futsal EURO 2026 in Latvia and Lithuania - what to expect?

(01:06:04) Draw for the RFS goodie bag winner!

For latest in Baltic football, go to balticfootballnews.com and follow us on social media!

#latvia #lithuania #estonia #football #soccer #virsliga#alyga #premiumliiga #futbols #jalgpall #futbolas #baltics #futsal

Football in the Baltics is finally back! As A Lyga, Virsliga and Premium liiga are all about to kick off, we offer a quick, 3-in-1 preview to this year's season in each of the Baltic nations. From how we got to where we are, to who are the players to watch, to our predictions for each of the competitions in 30 minutes or less - we got you covered! (00:01:01) A Lyga season preview(00:07:17) A Lyga players to watch(00:10:45) A Lyga 2025 predictions(00:11:10) Virsliga season preview(00:17:34) Virsliga players to watch(00:20:53) Virsliga predictions(00:21:13) Premium liiga season preview(00:24:52) Premium liiga players to watch(00:25:59) Premium liiga predictionsOur friends at RFS have some merch for you! To win a 2025 design RFS scarf and hat to keep you warm during the chilly Baltic spring, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and leave a comment with the name of the team that you support under this episode. Winner will be chosen on March 16th!For latest football news from the Baltics, go to balticfootballnews.com#football #soccer #latvia #lithuania #estonia #virsliga #alyga #premiumliiga #jalgpall #futbols #futbolas