Squad
Manager Anatoly Shelest
Shelest replaced Jurijs Popkovs as manager in October 2000, in a move that cemented Metalurgs's ties with Spartak Moscow. The two clubs had already signed a cooperation agreement, and Shelest joined Metalurgs three weeks before becoming coach in a consultancy capacity.
Two draws and a defeat followed, and Popkovs was on his way. Shelest was formally coach of Spartak Chukotka, a Spartak Moscow feeder club in the Russian league.
His first signing was his own son, Taras, who joined the club in January 2001.
Goalkeepers
Algimantas Briaunys
Squad Number: 1
Date of birth: Tuesday, 3rd, November 1964
Nationality: Lithuanian
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 82kg
Joined from: Zalgiris Vilnius (1998) Previous Clubs: "Atlantas" (Klaipeda), "Sirius" (Klaipeda), "Zhalgiris" (Vilnius), "Iveria" (Georgia), "Pardaugava" (Riga), "Asmaral" (Moscow), "Galichina" (Ukraine), "Flora" (Tallinn), "Copenhagen FC" (Denmark).
Honours: Two-time champion of Estonia (94, 96 yrs.), two-time winner of Lithuanian National Cup (93, 97 yrs.), holder of Estonian Cup (95 yr.).
Veteran goalkeeper who has been at Metalurgs since 1998. Experienced, with fine reflexes, he is one of team's key players. Always confident, and regarded by his coach as "flawless."
Vladimir Malishev
Squad Number: 16
Date of birth: Friday 22nd August 1969
Nationality: Belarus
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 83kg
Joined in: 1997
Previous Clubs: "Dinamo-2" (Minsk), "Sputnik" (Minsk), "Lada" (Russia),"Molodechno" (Belarus), "Lantana" (Tallinn), "Nemon" (Belarus).
Honours: Winner of the Cup of Belarus (98 yr.), silver medal of the championship of Estonia (95 yr.).
Experienced, very solid and hardly ever makes mistakes. He has a lot of ability, but loses to Braunis as the latter edges him for consistency and talent.
Viktors Spole
Date of birth: Wednesday 5th July 1972
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 80kg
Very confident, stable and experienced keeper, although he could do with improving his aerial skills as he's not the best at coming out and claiming the ball in dangerous situations.
Defenders
Saulius Atmanavichus
Squad Number: 19
Date of birth: Sunday 8th February 1970
Nationality: Lithuania
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 83kg
Joined from: Kareda Siauliai (1998)
Previous Clubs: "Sirius" (Klaipeda), "Aras" (Klaipeda), "FC Kaunas" (Lithuania),"Kareda" (Lithuania).
Honours: Champion of Lithuania (90 yr.), winner of Lithuanian Cup (90 yr.).
Yuri Popkov, the head coach, has no doubts about his abilities calling him "the best player in the team". He anchors Metalurgs defence, is exceptional in the air and not afraid to get stuck in. His left foot shot is deadly by all acounts with his only flaw seemingly being his age.
Darius Magdishauskas
Squad Number: 2
Date of birth: Monday 14th July 1969
Height: 1.93
Weight: 88kg
Joined in: 1998
Previous Clubs: "Taurus" (Lithuania), "Nevezhis" (Lithuania), "Mosleivis" (Lithuania),"Obuvshik" (Belarus), "Sakalas" (Lithuania), "Romar" (Lithuania), "Flora" (Tallinn), TP-55 "Seinaioki" (Finland)
Honours: Champion of Belarus (89 yr.), champion of Lithuania (93 yr.).
Excellent technical ability who can slot into the centre of defence comfortably and go on a man-marking mission.
Andrei Osichenko
Squad Number: 7
Date of birth: Wednesday 18th May 1966
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 70kg
Joined in: 1997
Previous Clubs: "Zveinieks" (Latvia), "Olimpia" (Latvia), "DAG-Liepaja" (Latvia),"Baltika-Metalurgs" (Latvia)
Team captain, he is fast, agile, fierce in the tackle, and has solid technique. Not so strong when he has time on the ball and has to think through his options, but still a vital part of the defence.
Dzintars Zirnis
Squad Number: 4
Date of birth: Monday 25th April 1977
Height: 1.79m
Weight: 76kg
Joined in: 1997
Previous Clubs: "Pardaugava" (Riga), "Kvadrats" (Riga), "ASK Flaminko" (Riga)
A regular in the Latvian national team and among the most talented of his age in the country. He keeps himself fit, is a good goalscorer and always looks comfortable when in possession. There is still room for improvement however, particularly his decision making when on the ball.
Artur Zakreshevsky
Squad Number: 5
Date of birth: 07/08/71
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 78kg
Joined from: Daugava Riga (1999)
Previous Clubs: “RAF" (Latvia), "Vidus" (Latvia), "Daugava" (Latvia), "LU/Daugava" (Latvia)
Honours: Champion of Latvia (1989 yr.)
Dmitry Makarenko
Squad No: 18
Born: 1973
Joined in: 1999
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Previous Clubs: "Obuvschik" (Luga, Belarus), "Dinamo" (Minsk, Belarus).
Honours: Champion of Belarus (1997 yr.),
Alexander Lashko
Squad No: 13
Born: 1979
Joined in: 1998
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 73 kg
Previous Clubs: "Baltika-Metalurgs" (Liepaja)
Pavel Mihadjuk
Squad No: 21
Born: 1980
Joined in: 1999
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 71 kg
Honours: Tallinn Cup (1997), Champion of Latvia (1993, 1994, 1995).
Midfielders
Vladimir Dragun
Squad Number: 8
Date of birth: Wednesday 13th December 1972
Nationality: Latvia
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 75kg
Joined in: 1997
Previous Clubs: "Pardaugava" (Riga), "Skonto" (Riga), "Amstrig" (Riga),"RAF" (Latvia), "Pardaugava" (Riga), "Asmaral" (Moscow).
Honours: Champion of Latvia (94 yr.), winner of Latvian Cup (96 yrs.).
Has a fantastic bullet of a left foot shot and thanks to that is a regular scorer each season. His goals have in fact often come at vital moments, and Dragun can be relied upon to netting an important winner. His tackling and heading aren't up to scratch yet, but the man with the most powerful shot in the Latvian game still has plenty going for him.
Janis Rinkus
Squad No: 3
Date of birth: Sunday 4th December 1977
Nationality: Latvia
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 73kg
Joined in:1997
Previous Clubs: "Olimpia" (Latvia), "DAG-Liepaja" (Latvia), "Baltika-Metalurgs" (Latvia).
A player who should go all the way to the top but has yet to fulfil his potential. But he is a regular in the starting line-up and has time on his side to impress.
Oleg Rudenko
Squad No: 17
Date of birth: Friday 28th December 1973
Nationality: Latvia
Height: 1.78m
Weight: 72kg
Joined from: Daugava Riga (1998)
Previous Clubs: "Olimpia" (Latvia), "FC Riga" (Latvia), "Amstrig" (Riga), "Daugava" (Riga).
A player with excellent technique who can fill in on either flank, but his career has been hampered by a catalogue of injuries.
Gennady Solonicin
Squad Number: 22
Date of birth: Thursday 3rd January 1980
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 72kg
Signed from: No previous clubs
This teenager is phenomenal, and could potentially become the team's captain. A right-sided midfielder who can score goals, particularly from distance, Solonicin is pacy, is a good passer and is the creative hub of the team. He still needs more time to grow into a real star.
Victor Yuiko
Squad No: 6
Date of birth: Tuesday 3rd February 1970
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 69kg
Joined from: Daugava Riga (1998)
Previous Clubs: "KCOM" (Belarus), "SKIF" (Belarus), "Nemon" (Belarus)
Honours: Winner of the Cup of Belarus (93 yrs.).
A very much attack-minded player who often gets caught wanting when it comes to tracking back. He takes corners, free-kicks, is an excellent passer and creator, but is almost useless in the air.
Gedrius Zutautas
Date of birth: 15/03/74
Nationality: Lithuania
Height: 1.85
Joined from: FBK Kaunas (2000)
Roland Vaineikis
Squad No: 9
Born: 1968
Joined in: 1998
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Previous Clubs: "Zhalgiris" (Vilnius), "Romar" (Lithuania), "Flora" (Tallinn), "Kareda" (Lithuania)
Honours: Two-time champion of Lithuania (94, 97 yrs.), winner of the Cup and Super-Cup of Lithuania (96 yrs.).
Aleksandrs Fedotovs
Date of birth: Monday 29th March 1971
Height: 1.81m
Weight: 70kg
Taras Shelest
Signed from: Spartak Chukotka
The son of coach Anatoly Shelest, he joined the club in January 2001 after impressing during a trial period at the club during which he scored in a friendly against Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia.
Forwards
Rolands Bulders
Squad No: 14
Date of birth: Wednesday 12th May 1965
Height: 1.96m
Weight: 88kg
Joined in: 1997
Previous Clubs: "Zveinieks" (Latvia), "Olimpia" (Latvia), "Pardaugava" (Riga), "RAF" (Elgava), "FK Firuna" (Sweden), "FK Brage" (Sweden), "FC Stadler" (Hungary)
Another regular for the national team with excellent heading ability. He is an old fashioned British-style striker used as a target man but lacks speed.
Viktor Dobrecov
Squad No: 10
Date of birth: Sunday 9th January 1977
Nationality: Latvia
Height: 1.77m
Weight: 64kg
Joined in: 1997
Previous Clubs: "Olimpia" (Latvia), "DAG-Liepaja" (Latvia), "Baltika-Metalurgs" (Latvia)
The club's top scorer over the last two seasons. The Coach regards him as a "wizard". He is a small busy little striker who works in perfect tandem with Bulders up front to form a formidable strikeforce.
Girts Karlsons
Squad No: 27
Date of birth: Sunday 7th June 1981
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 77kg
Signed from: Baltika-Metalurgs (1998)
Previous Clubs: "Baltika-Metalurgs" (Liepaya)
An U21 international, Karsons is another young player at the club with huge potential. Some critics say he will one day be the best striker in Latvia, and when he was 18 Coach Popkov said that "Karlsons is the future of our club."
Maris Verpakovsky
Squad No: 15
Born: 1979
Joined in: 1998
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 65 kg
Previous Clubs: "Baltika-Metalurgs" (Latvia)
Andrey Lobanov
Squad No: 11
Born: 1976
Joined in: 1999
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Previous Clubs: "Dinamo" (Minsk)
Honours: Cup of Belarus (1994, 1995), champion of Belarus (1997).
Kristaps Grebis
Squad No: 12
Born: 1980
Joined in: 1999
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 78 kg
