2003 Latvian Higher League

The 2003 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the thirteenth domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.

Latvian Higher League
Season2003
ChampionsSkonto FC
RelegatedGauja
RKB-Arma
UEFA Champions LeagueSkonto FC
UEFA CupFK Liepajas Metalurgs
FK Ventspils
UEFA Intertoto CupDinaburg FC
Top goalscorerLatvia Viktors Dobrecovs (36 goals)
2002
2004

Final table edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Skonto (C) 28 23 4 1 91 9 +82 73 Qualification for Champions League first qualifying round
2 Liepājas Metalurgs 28 22 2 4 100 29 +71 68 Qualification for UEFA Cup first qualifying round
3 Ventspils 28 19 4 5 89 18 +71 61
4 Dinaburg 28 13 5 10 43 36 +7 44 Qualification for Intertoto Cup first round
5 Rīga 28 8 5 15 34 63 −29 29
6 Gauja (R) 28 6 5 17 27 70 −43 23 Relegation to Latvian First League[a]
7 Auda/Alberts Rīga 28 4 1 23 21 88 −67 13
8 RKB-Arma (R) 28 2 4 22 23 115 −92 10 Relegation to Latvian First League
Source: [citation needed]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Gauja were relegated to the lower league due to financial difficulties.

Match table edit

Top scorers edit

Rank Player Club Goals
1   Viktors Dobrecovs (LAT) FK Liepājas Metalurgs 36
2   Ģirts Karlsons (LAT) FK Liepājas Metalurgs 26
3   Māris Verpakovskis (LAT) Skonto FC 22
4   Vīts Rimkus (LAT) FK Ventspils 20
5   Gatis Kalniņš (LAT) Skonto FC 12

Awards edit

Best Name Team
Goalkeeper   Andrejs Piedels (LAT) Skonto FC
Defender   Mihails Zemļinskis (LAT) Skonto FC
Midfielder   Valentīns Lobaņovs (LAT) Skonto FC
Forward   Māris Verpakovskis (LAT) Skonto FC

References edit