Ajax Army Descends on Riga for Europa League Clash
Latvian football club RFS is bracing for a massive influx of fans as over 2,250 supporters of Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam are set too descend upon Riga for their Europa League group stage encounter on January 23rd. RFS announced the news on their X.com account, highlighting the sold-out away section at the Daugava Stadium.
This crucial match is one of two remaining for RFS in the group stage. Following the Ajax clash, they will travel to Hamburg to face Dynamo Kyiv on January 30th.
RFS currently sits in 34th place in the Europa League standings with two points, while Ajax occupies a commanding 11th position with ten points. The Latvian side has faced a challenging group stage, recording a solitary victory against Anderlecht while suffering defeats to FCSB, Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt, PAOK Thessaloniki, and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
RFS’s journey to the Europa League group stage was a testament to their resilience. after a dominant 7-0 aggregate victory over Northern Irish champions Larne in the Champions League qualifying rounds, they were ultimately eliminated by Norwegian powerhouse Bodo/Glimt. Though,they bounced back in the Europa League qualifiers,securing a resounding 9-0 aggregate win against Andorra’s Santa Coloma before edging past APOEL Nicosia in a penalty shootout to clinch their spot in the group stage.
this marks a historic achievement for RFS, becoming only the second Latvian team after Ventspils to reach the Europa League group stage. Notably, Ventspils achieved this feat in the 2009/2010 season. RFS also boasts experience in European competition, having participated in the UEFA Europa Conference League, the third-tier European club tournament, just two years ago.
The Europa league has undergone a format change this season. The 36 participating teams now face eight different opponents, two from each of four designated baskets. the top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will compete in a playoff round.The culmination of the Europa League campaign will be the final, scheduled to take place in Bilbao, Spain on May 25th.
RFS vs Ajax: A David vs Goliath Clash in Riga
This week, the small baltic nation of Latvia is set to experience a footballing frenzy as Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam descend upon Riga for a crucial Europa League encounter against RFS.Joining me today to discuss this intriguing David vs Goliath clash is former Latvian international and current football analyst, Juris laizāns.
juris, welcome to the show! It’s clear RFS face a monumental task against Ajax, who are comfortably positioned in the group. What are your thoughts on RFS’s chances in this match?
Juris Laizāns: Thanks for having me. It’s an incredible possibility for RFS, even if the odds are stacked against them. Ajax are a top-tier European side with a rich history, while RFS are relative newcomers to this level. Realistically, this match will be a steep learning curve, but they could pull off a surprise if everything goes thier way.
that’s right, this is a historic occasion for RFS, becoming only the second Latvian side ever to reach the Europa League group stage! Do you think their journey to get here, overcoming strong teams like Bodo/Glimt and APOEL Nicosia, will give them the confidence to challenge Ajax?
Juris Laizāns: Absolutely.Their path to the group stage has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing their resilience and fighting spirit.These hard-fought victories will definitely inject them with confidence. They’ll need every ounce of it against Ajax.
As you mentioned,the format of the Europa League has changed this season. Could this shake things up for RFS and offer them a glimmer of hope even if they don’t upset Ajax?
Juris Laizāns: It’s theoretically possible.The new playoff round for teams finishing 9th to 24th place creates another layer of competition. While progressing directly to the Round of 16 seems unlikely, a strong showing against Ajax could boost their morale and performance in the remaining fixture against Dynamo Kyiv.
Beating Ajax at home would be a fairytale ending for RFS, wouldn’t it? Do you think the home crowd advantage could play a crucial role?
Juris Laizāns: Absolutely! The atmosphere at the Daugava Stadium will be electric. Over 2,250 Ajax fans are travelling to Riga,creating an even more vibrant and charged atmosphere. The RFS players will feed off this energy and push themselves to the limit.
This match is more than just another fixture for RFS. It’s a chance to showcase Latvia’s growing footballing potential on the european stage.
Readers, we want to hear from you!
Do you think RFS has a chance against the mighty Ajax? What will it take for the Latvian side to pull off a shock result? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
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