Cork City fans: Who are Liepajas Metalurgs?

Cork City supporters were scratching their heads when the draw for the Intertoto Cup pitted them against Latvian outfit, Liepajas Metalurgs. But the team that was formed by workers from a local wire and nails factory has a long and proud history.

The name Liepajas Metalurgs first related to a wire and nails factory, Bekker and Co, in 1882. The plant was vital to the economic life in Liepaja and, in 1927, a football pitch was set up for the workers, next to the factory.

Within two years, the 'Wire Football Team' felt confident enough to challenge professional Czech outfit, Nahod, to a game. The factory workers lost 11-1, although their next match, against English outfit, Norfolk, ended in a more respectable four-three defeat.

In 1932, the team changed its name to 'Master of Kurzeme' after the region of Latvia from where it heralded. Under a new title, the team worked at progressing into the top Latvian football league.

Within a year, the team had won the Liepaja Championship, but by the end of World War Two, Liepaja had two top-flight football sides, Daugava and Dinamo. The success of these two sides made it harder for Metalurgs to make an impact on the national stage.

Under the name, Sarkanais Metalurgs, the team began to take the best players from the town. Between 1949 and 1959, Sarkanais won the Latvian championship seven times and the Latvian Cup on four occasions.

After 1959, the team broke its connections with the factory and in 1961, Liepajselmash, the new plant team, was established.

Liepajselmash played under that title for over three decades, before the management of Baltika, created in 1996, asked the factory side to merge with them. For a year, the club had played under the name, Baltika Metalurgs, before finally settling on the title, Liepajas Metalurgs.

The Latvians played in the last three UEFA Cup competitions and are hungry for a fourth successive appearance.

In 1998, in front of 4,500 fanatical supporters, they defeated FC Keflavik of Iceland by four goals to two. Despite losing the second leg (1-0), they progressed to the first round proper. Against FC De Braga of Portugal, Metalurgs were outclassed. A nil-all draw in Latvia was followed by a comprehensive four-nil defeat in Portugal.

Liepajas failed to progress beyond the qualifying round of the 1999 UEFA Cup, losing five-four on aggregate against FC Lech of Poland.

In 2000, they were drawn against top Norwegian side, FK Brann. A one-all draw in Liepaja was followed by a one-nil defeat in Norway.

In the last four domestic campaigns, Liepajas Metalurgs finished fifth, second on two occasions and third.

The new Latvian season has just begun, with Metalurgs supporters eager to see if their six new Russian imports and a new coach will take them to championship glory.

Cork City defenders will have to be wary of Russian striker, Aleksandr Katasonov, who has played with Lokomotiv Moscow in the Russian league.

The other five new Russian signings include midfielders, Vladimir Tatarchouk, Taras Shelest, Sergej Skobliakov, Aleksandr Pavlenko, and defender, Mihail Soloviev.

First choice goalkeeper, 36-year-old Algimantas Briaunys, signed from FC Copenhagen in 1998.

Latvian internationals include, defenders, Vladimirs Draguns and Dzintars Zirnis, midfielder, Genadijs Solonicins, and forward, Viktors Dobrecovs.

Liepaga Metalurgs play at Stadium Daugava, located in the health resort zone of the town, 100 metres from the sea.

The stadium can hold more than 5,000 spectators and is one of the top venues in Latvian football.

From setanta