2003 Latvian Higher League

The 2003 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the thirteenth domestic competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with Skonto FC claiming the title.

Latvian Higher League
Season2003
ChampionsSkonto FC
RelegatedGauja
RKB-Arma
UEFA Champions LeagueSkonto FC
UEFA CupFK Liepajas Metalurgs
FK Ventspils
UEFA Intertoto CupDinaburg FC
Top goalscorerLatvia Viktors Dobrecovs (36 goals)
2002
2004

Final table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Skonto (C) 28 23 4 1 91 9 +82 73 Qualification for Champions League first qualifying round
2 Liepājas Metalurgs 28 22 2 4 100 29 +71 68 Qualification for UEFA Cup first qualifying round
3 Ventspils 28 19 4 5 89 18 +71 61
4 Dinaburg 28 13 5 10 43 36 +7 44 Qualification for Intertoto Cup first round
5 Rīga 28 8 5 15 34 63 −29 29
6 Gauja (R) 28 6 5 17 27 70 −43 23 Relegation to Latvian First League[a]
7 Auda 28 4 1 23 21 88 −67 13
8 RKB-Arma (R) 28 2 4 22 23 115 −92 10 Relegation to Latvian First League
Source: [citation needed]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Gauja were relegated to the lower league due to financial difficulties.

Match table

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Top scorers

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Rank Player Club Goals
1   Viktors Dobrecovs (LAT) FK Liepājas Metalurgs 36
2   Ģirts Karlsons (LAT) FK Liepājas Metalurgs 26
3   Māris Verpakovskis (LAT) Skonto FC 22
4   Vīts Rimkus (LAT) FK Ventspils 20
5   Gatis Kalniņš (LAT) Skonto FC 12

Awards

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Best Name Team
Goalkeeper   Andrejs Piedels (LAT) Skonto FC
Defender   Mihails Zemļinskis (LAT) Skonto FC
Midfielder   Valentīns Lobaņovs (LAT) Skonto FC
Forward   Māris Verpakovskis (LAT) Skonto FC

References

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