EURO 2026 is not just a sports tournament. It is an event that puts Latvia on the European sports map and invites everyone to get to know futsal from a new perspective.
The best national team in Europe for futsal has been determined since 1996, when Spain won the first of its seven titles.
In the last two tournaments, in 2018 and 2022, Portugal emerged victorious, while Italy claimed two titles. In 1999, Russia won the tournament, but it is currently not participating in international competitions. Other medalists have included the national teams of Ukraine, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Kazakhstan.
This year, the final tournament is taking place from January 21 to February 7 and, for the first time in history, in three countries — Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia. Teams in four groups will play round-robin tournaments, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.
Every game is of great importance, as the short format of the tournament does not allow for mistakes. One unsuccessful performance can determine the fate of a team, making each game particularly tense and interesting.
The Latvian national team is guaranteed to play three home matches at the Xiaomi Arēna — on January 21 against Georgia, January 25 against France, and January 28 against Croatia.
Additionally, three more group stage matches will take place in Riga (Croatia vs. France on January 21, Croatia vs. Georgia on January 25, and Czech Republic vs. Ukraine on January 28), as well as one quarter-final match on January 31, in which, if luck permits, we will see the Latvian national team.
EURO 2026 project manager Maxim Raspopov told a correspondent from the newspaper "SEGODNYA" that the first match against the Georgian national team will be crucial for the fate of our footballers.
If we win, the chances of reaching the playoffs will significantly increase, as it will be quite difficult to compete against the French — they are the favorites in our group, while we can definitely defeat the Croatians.
Unfortunately, despite the loud and solid name of the tournament, a large influx of fans in Riga is not expected. So far, the Futsal Federations of France and Georgia have ordered about a hundred tickets for the Xiaomi Arēna, while the Croatians seem to be ignoring the championship altogether.
So it’s all in the hands of the residents of Riga, who, if they wish, can support the game of their home team with remarkable superiority. And then, who knows, maybe there will be a quarter-final and a bright place in the history of European futsal.
Sarauy, Latvia!
Leave a comment