Virslīga add club, 1.Līga created

08 Aug 2014 | Krišjānis Koļesņičenkovs

The Latvian Virslīga will expand to a seventh club, while the LHF has created a 1.Līga

Coming off the eventful season of last year, the Virslīga will be looking to improve on it when it enters this season with seven clubs. It was in May that 12 clubs had expressed their interest to participate in the league, it would of been the highest number of clubs in the history of the league, however, only seven of them sent in their application. Those being the defending Champions HS Rīga/Prizma, the Vice-Champions HK Kurbads, along with HK Zemgale/LLU, HK Liepāja, Jūrmalas HASC, Mogo.lv, Ogre/Sāga97.

Those who are familiar with the Virslīga will notice the veteran club HK Ozolnieki/MONARCH are missing from the list, along with Dinamo Rīga affiliated club Dinamo Juniors and last season newcomers HK Daugavpils. However, everybody should notice the return of Liepāja, who had to withdraw after their sponsorship was pulled, this season the city will be funding the club.

With the return of Liepāja, it should of been known that many of their former players and school products would return to the club and many did just that, noticeably taking six players from Zemgale. The battle at the top of the league is looking like it could be a good one, Prizma, Liepāja, Kurbads and if Mogo.lv is really suppose to be the former SMScredit.lv (who were Champions two years ago), it can be one of the best seasons since the Samsung League. The league is suppose to begin on September 6 with 30 matches.

Due to the inability to find more clubs to compete in the U-20 league, the LHF has decided to create the 1.Līga. This season will not follow the same format as the U-20 league of past years, the LHF has said this league will be for U-18, U-20 and some of the older players who cant make it in the Virslīga. Something a little different than what we are used to see here in Latvia, it will be interesting to follow the progress or lack there of.

The league will be either made up of six or seven clubs, those being Prizma/Pārdaugava, HK Valmiera, HK Tukums, HK Liepāja, HS Rīga '98, HK Daugavpils and the possible inclusion of Jelgavas LSS. If they have six clubs then the league will have 24 matches, 30 if Jelgava joins, with no matter the number of clubs, the Top 4 will make the play-offs with Best of three series.