FHK Liepajas Metalurgs claimed the first title in their history after building up an unassailable 13-point lead with just four matches remaining, ending Skonto FC's 14-year reign over Latvian football.

Skonto's faint hopes always rested on Metalurgs experiencing a massive loss of form with the end of the season approaching, but if Benjaminas Zelkevicius's side did have any nerves, they showed none. After a 1-1 draw with Skonto at the end of August, Metalurgs won 1-0 at FK Jurmala before quickly moving into top gear, running in ten unanswered goals in two games against FK Olimps Riga and FK Riga.

Extra-time defeat by FK Ventspils in the Latvian Cup final could have derailed their season, but knowing that victory would secure their maiden title, the Liepaja outfit returned to form with aplomb in a league rematch. After dominating proceedings, Metalurgs sauntered to a 5-1 victory, sparking huge celebrations amongst their fans, who were denied the championship in the penultimate game of the 2004 season when Genadijs Solonicins missed a last-minute penalty in a 3-2 defeat by Skonto.

Englishman Paul Ashworth therefore becomes the first coach to fail to lead Skonto to a title since 1992. Indeed the Riga outfit's trophy cabinet will be unusually bare this winter, after Skonto were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Latvian Cup by knockout specialists Ventspils on 11 September. That took the team into the final against Metalurgs a fortnight later, and although Ventspils fell behind four minutes into extra time, Vits Rimkus and Igors Slesarcuks were both on target as they fought back to claim their third successive cup win.

Metalurgs soon avenged that loss, their 5-1 league win all but ending Romans Grigorčuks's side's hopes of claiming second, meaning Ventspils now lie seven points adrift of Skonto with only four games remaining. Behind them, three points separate FK Riga, Jurmala and FC Dinaburg as they battle for fourth and a UEFA Intertoto Cup, with the latter currently holding sway after beating Riga 2-1 on 1 October.

Their advantage would have been greater were it not for a disappointing draw against Olimps Riga, who look likely to face a promotion/relegation play-off against the runners-up in the second division. After 14 successive defeats, FK Venta will need a minor miracle to escape automatic relegation.

Information from www.uefa.com