Baltic Cup U19
Date: June 4, 2026
Venue: Janis Skredelis Stadium, Riga Latvia
Result: Lithuania 1-0 Latvia
Goals: Žygimantas Jurevičius (59′)
The Baltic Cup is one of the oldest international football tournaments in Europe and serves as an important competition for the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. First held in 1928, the tournament was created to strengthen sporting ties between the three neighboring countries and provide regular international competition. Over the decades, it has become a symbol of regional pride and football development within the Baltic states. While the senior men’s national teams remain the centerpiece of the tournament, Baltic Cup competitions have also been organized for youth national teams, including U-16, U-17, U-19, and U-21 age groups. Nearly a century after its creation, the Baltic Cup continues to serve as a pathway for player development from youth football to the senior international level. It remains an important part of Baltic football culture, providing young players with their first international experiences while allowing senior national teams to compete for regional pride and tradition. The tournament’s longevity and developmental value make it one of the most significant regional competitions in European football.
Lithuania controlled the majority of the match through a well-organized 4-2-3-1 structure, dominating possession and consistently progressing the ball through all thirds of the pitch. During build-up phases in the middle third, Lithuania’s midfielders frequently dropped alongside the center backs to create numerical superiority, while the fullbacks advanced high and wide to stretch Latvia’s compact defensive shape. Latvia primarily played in a 3-5-2 0r 5-4-1 block, allowing Lithuania possession in wide areas before attempting to win the ball with numbers and counterattack quickly. Despite Lithuania creating the majority of the chances throughout the first half, including opportunities through the left channel, crosses from wide areas, and aggressive counter-pressing moments, Latvia’s defensive resilience kept the match level heading into halftime.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Lithuania immediately re-establishing territorial control and pressing collectively to regain possession quickly after turnovers. Latvia remained dangerous in transition, forcing a save from Lithuanian goalkeeper #12 Dominykas Cekavicius in the 48th minute, but struggled to connect final passes once advancing into attacking areas.
The breakthrough arrived in the 58th minute following a sequence of first- and second-ball duels. After regaining possession centrally, Lithuania combined effectively through quick passing and a well-timed third-man run to break behind the Latvian defense, with Lithuania’s #19 Žygimantas Jurevičius finishing the move to give Lithuania a deserved lead.
The goal significantly changed the dynamic of the match, opening up the game and increasing the tempo on both sides. Latvia responded by pushing higher up the field, increasing their pressing intensity and spending longer periods in possession than they had managed previously. Several substitutions from both teams further contributed to the more transitional nature of the contest, resulting in a greater number of duels, direct forward passes, and battles for first and second balls.
Despite Latvia’s improved attacking intent, Lithuania managed the closing stages effectively, using additional substitutions to maintain energy levels and preserve their advantage.
Standout Players throughout the Match:
Klemensas Gustas (Lithuania #8) — 2008 born central midfielder playing for FA Siauliai’s B team in I Lyga, developed within the Zalgiris and Metta youth structures. Within the 2025/2026 season Gustas has tallied 1004’ minutes across 19 matches domestically and 172’ minutes internationally with Lithuania’s U19 squad. Gustas’s biggest strengths are his ability to dictate tempo throughout the match, his positioning in possession and pass completion rate.
Dominykas Liepis (Lithuania #17) — an attacking midfielder who currently plays for Vilnius Football Academy. Liepis’s most recent contributions have been in the Lithuanian Cup where he played 90’ minutes and scored two goals as well as playing 180’ minutes in the U19 Euro Qualifiers. His biggest strengths are his strength on the ball during 1v1 duels, technical ability to find space beyond opponents and closing speed when applying pressure.
Lauris Lakutis (Latvia #14) — 2008 born attacking midfielder who developed within Liepajas FC’s youth structure through to first time. Has appeared as a substitute in Virsliga one time in the 2025/2026 season. Lakutis’s strengths are his close control, creativity during attacking phases of play and decisive passing in the final third.
