The closing stages of Valmiera FC’s LVBET League season have been as colourful and unpredictable as the falling autumn leaves. Through adversity, gritted teeth and plenty of determination, the team has finally secured that silver shine in the league standings. But there is still one more mountain to climb — the one with the coveted ticket to Latvia’s top football division, the Virslīga, waiting at the summit.
While league champions FK Metta were already popping the champagne corks with two rounds to spare, the battle for second place between Valmiera FC, Leevon PPK and Riga Mariners kept the suspense alive until the very last minute of the final round at Jānis Daliņš Stadium.
The final stretch of the season certainly did not unfold as Gatis Kalniņš and his coaching staff had hoped. First, two home draws against the reserve teams of Virslīga clubs — SK Super Nova-2 (1–1) and FK Tukums 2000-2 (2–2) — seriously weakened what had previously seemed a comfortable advantage over their closest rivals, while allowing Metta to pull further clear at the top.
A convincing 3–0 home victory over Ventspils then restored some much-needed confidence and brought back the sweet taste of winning. There have been very few matches this season that could genuinely be described as easy for Valmiera. Almost every victory has fallen somewhere on the scale between difficult and painfully difficult. Even the team’s three defeats — twice against the Pirates and once in the Latvian Cup against Ogre United — were certainly not handed to their opponents like Christmas presents.
Unfortunately, off-field circumstances began to take their toll towards the end of the season, leaving Valmiera without several key players at the most crucial moment. Both Japanese players, Toki Yamamura and Wataru Abe, were ruled out, followed later by Brazilian goalscorer Gleilson and team captain Fraj Kairmani. With just two rounds remaining, their absence left noticeable gaps in the team’s lineup.
Despite everything, experienced midfielder Mārcis Ērglis led the team onto the pitch at LNK Sporta Parks for the penultimate fixture against Leevon PPK, wearing the captain’s armband with only one objective in mind — victory.
It was not to be, although Valmiera certainly had their chances, arguably better ones than their opponents. Playing in front of their own supporters, Leevon PPK gave absolutely everything in pursuit of their own ambitions of finishing second. The hosts largely dominated the second half, but all that pressure ultimately counted for nothing on the scoreboard.
The match ended goalless, leaving just one conclusion — Valmiera and Riga Mariners would settle the battle for second place from separate stadiums in the final round.
At lunchtime on November 7, the supporters gathered at Jānis Daliņš Stadium, beside the steep banks of the Gauja, were hoping for two things: a victory over Skanstes SK and a small miracle from Leevon PPK in their otherwise meaningless encounter with the Pirates.
Kalniņš’s players, however, had no intention of relying on anyone else. They stepped onto the pitch determined to prove that second place in this year’s championship was something they had earned through a long, demanding and hard-fought campaign.
And when the team needed him most, Mamadou Dembele rediscovered his scoring touch, finding the net twice.
Yet the main hero of the afternoon turned out to be someone else entirely — 17-year-old striker Reinars Šteimaks. Introduced midway through the second half, the youngster needed only a few moments to make his mark. After an excellent pass from Dembélé, he scored his first goal for Valmiera FC’s senior team — a goal that ultimately proved to be the match-winner.
The closing stages were a real test of nerves, but the hosts managed to hold on for the desperately needed 3–2 victory, finishing the season just one point ahead of Riga Mariners and securing second place in the LVBET League.
There will be precious little time to celebrate or recover.
Just four days later, on Lāčplēsis Day, November 11, Valmiera FC will head into battle in Tukums against FK Tukums 2000, with the only remaining place in next season’s Virslīga at stake.
The decisive second leg will take place on November 14 at 13:00 at Jānis Daliņš Stadium.
We will need every bit of support from our fans in both matches, especially in front of our home crowd.
The silver medals are secured. Now comes the final battle for the Virslīga!
