Latvia
After a sluggish start to the season, Riga became an irresistible force when the ex-Werder Bremen boss Viktor Skrypnyk took over in early July. Seven straight wins had the team soaring and they clinched a first title with a game to spare. Ten days before their coronation as league champions, Riga won the cup with a penalty shootout victory over Ventspils. After a goalless 120 minutes, Roberts Ozols saved the decisive kick from Nauris Bulvitis. Riga will start the Champions League in the first qualifying round. League runners-up Ventspils, third-place RFS and Liepaja, who were fourth, will be part of the Europa League sifting process.
Newly promoted Valmieras finished bottom with eight points and are replaced by second-tier champions Daugavpils. METTA/LU saved their bacon with a 10-2 aggregate thrashing of second-tier runners-up Super Nova in a play-off. Riga centre-forward Darko Lemajic not only offers an aerial threat with his physical presence, the 25-year-old Serb is also surprisingly mobile and clever on the ball. Excellent in his game analysis and organisation, ex-Ukraine international defender Viktor Skrypnyk made all the difference at Riga. He did not lose a league game in charge, bagging 36 points from a possible 42. Just 17, versatile midfielder Kristers Tobers quickly established himself as a pivotal figure in the Liepaja engine room. Already in the Latvian under-21 fold.