The South Kurzeme football derby fulfills the fans’ expectations with a twist / Article

IN SHORT:

The owner of the field was the Grobina team, but the game was played in Liepāja. The sports director of “Grobinas SC/LFS” Andis Điņš said that the team was not allowed to play games in the first league at the home stadium, so it is in vain to hope that it could happen at the top league level.

“The main reason is that the changing rooms are about 200 meters from this place [laukuma]. This was and is the main reason why for us [bija] it is forbidden to play here in the first league. It’s clear that for the Super League, I think we wouldn’t even have a discussion about whether we could play here or not.”

The previous match between Grobiņa and Liepāja took place in Liepāja on the central field of the Daugava Stadium in the Round of 16 match of the Latvian Cup in July 2022. Unexpectedly, Grobiņa won 2:1, but this time both teams met right next to each other on the reserve field in the Super League.

“Grobinas SC/LFS” head coach Viktors Dobretsovs was already in a high mood before the game and had no doubt that a fantastic atmosphere was expected and everyone would enjoy a real derby.

“In this derby, I would recommend that the Liepāja Olympic Center weld an even longer grandstand. Now that derby,” said Dobretsov. “It is to be hoped that one day the police will ride horses like in England.”

The sports director of “Grobinas SC/LFS” Ādiņš admitted that historically it has developed in such a way that

it is not so important to win the title of Latvian champion, but it is important for the people of Kurzeme to win matches. Therefore, the price for the game against Liepāja is also special.

Superleague debutant Grobiņa plays the same place where 2015 Superleague champion FK “Liepāja” plays. An average of 600 spectators attended Grobiņa’s matches, and an average of 300 fans in the stands for “Liepāja”. In the derby, there was not enough space for everyone in the stadium, and both teams had their supporters.

Matīss Timofejevs: You locals, people from Liepāja?

Ivo Nico: No, Grobina. I have a coach playing there and I want to support the coach’s team.

Who is your coach?

Jānis Krautmanis!

Iveta Krautmane: Well, of course, about Grobiņa, only about Grobiņa and only about Grobiņa! Grobina has to win today.

Do you know any players?

My son Jānis Krautmanis plays. Yes, Crouch!

Who will you be rooting for today?

Football fan Emil: About Liepāja. Because we are from Liepāja, and it is our favorite team.

As the game unfolded in the presence of 932 spectators, Grobiņa was already in the lead in the 12th minute – a beautiful goal for Rudolf Meľkis. Rudolph’s brother Roberts is also a member of “Grobina SC/LFS”, but he could not participate in this game, because Grobina rents him from the Liepāja club. For the same reason, some other footballers could not play for Grobina.

“Very beautiful! I know that bračka is like that [bumbas] hit inside. He may have the luck of a rookie at the moment, when everything he hits falls in, but it looked very beautiful from here, and I am very happy for him,” said “Grobinas SC/LFS” midfielder Roberts Melķkis. “Of course, I would like to play, would like such a rule not to exist. If I am loaned to another team, then I would like to be a full-fledged player for that team and participate in all the games.”

In the last seconds of the first half, Liepāja recovered one goal and the result was 1:1, which pleased the fans of the Windy City.

“We are loyal no matter what. Maybe the coach is not the most sympathetic to us at the moment, but, you know, we have that English style – one club remains, no matter what,” said FK “Liepāja” https://www.lsm .lv/”Amber City” fan Emil. “You know what – in Liepāja, the audience is full, there are victories, there will be Eurocups – the stands will be full, people will also shout about Liepāja.”

After the break, Davids Dobretsov, the son of the head coach of the Grobina team, was very active in the attack. He was brought down in the penalty area of ​​Liepāja, and captain Andris Krušatins took the 11-meter penalty kick. 2:1 under the leadership of Grobiš. Grobiňnieki continued to go forward – after Rodrigo Gauča’s pass, Dobretsov hit accurately, and 3:1.

The spectator seats of the reserve field of “Daugavas” stadium were crowded. Many did not get inside and watched the game from behind the fence,

among them Mārtiņš Kozlovskis, the basketball referee of the Olympic Games, who also has experience as a football player.

“So it happens, there have been a few bruises in football boots under the name of the FK Grobiņa team, but of course this is a completely different team, different coaches, a completely different level,” said Kozlovskis. “But they have played against a top league team, I myself have had such an experience at the Grobiņa stadium. They show such a very important nuance that you cannot build a team from guest players. I think that all the people from Liepāja who supported the Grobiņa team at the moment. This shows that they maybe sometimes you don’t need victory and that you need to see your guy running around the field.”

Five minutes before the end of the game, Armenian Aram Bagadasarjan made it 2:3 for Liepāja, but it was the last goal of the game.

In the first Liepāja derby, the fight went to the last second, but Grobiņa won.

Grobina forward Davids Dobretsov admitted after the victory that the team was simply doing its job and the city helped the footballers. The support of the fans was just like in the Champions League final.

“Of course, two teams, one city, of course it was an important game for us,” admitted Dobretsov.

“Grobinas SC/LFS” midfielder Krautmanis also did not hide that there was strong support and great emotions as the fans drove the team forward.

Grobiņa is the pride of Liepāja! Grobiņa is doing what Liepāja cannot do, chanted the supporters of the winners.