Verpakovskis and Skonto rewarded
Monday, December 15, 2003
Article summary
Skonto FC and Latvia centre-forward Maris Verpakovskis has been named Latvia's Player of the Year.
Article body
Forward Maris Verpakovskis has been named Latvia's Player of the Year by the Latvia Football Federation.
Vintage year
The 24-year-old had a vintage year, scoring five goals in his country's final five qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2004™, including two in the two-legged play-off triumph against Turkey which booked a place at Portugal next summer.
Skonto sweep the board
At domestic level he helped Skonto FC win a world record-breaking 13th successive league title. There were also awards for several other Skonto players - Andreys Piedels was named best goalkeeper, Mikhails Zemlinskyis best defender and Valentins Lobaniovs best midfield player. Finally, Skonto and national team coach Aleksandrs Starkovs was manager of the year.
