Andris Vaņins became the goalkeeper nr.1 
for Latvian national team this year (Foto: A.F.I.)

Latvian Football federation (LFF) has announced the winners in 18 nominees overall as best in football in year 2008. "FK Ventspils" and Latvian national team goalkeeper Andris Vaņins was named as the best player in Latvia this season. Andris Vaņins took the best player and goalkeeper award of "LMT Virslīga" - Latvian national football championship.

Meanwhile, Ieva Bīdermane from national champions "Skonto/Cerība-46.vsk." team became the best female player in 2008.

Most trophies from the LFF Gala ceremony that was held on Monday, December 22th in "Maritim Park Hotel" took current Latvian champion club "FK Ventspils" including the best coach award for Roman Grigorchyk - that was his third award in last three years.

 VIDEO - LFF 2008 Award ceremony

The list of the best in Latvian football 2008

Player of the year in Latvia - Andris Vaņins (FK Ventspils)
Female player of the year in Latvia - Ieva Bīdermane (Skonto/Cerība-46.vsk.)

Coach of the year in Latvia - Roman Grigorchyk (FK Ventspils)

Player of the year in "LMT Virslīga" - Andris Vaņins (FK Ventspils)
Player of the year in "First league" - Eduards Višņakovs (FK Daugava)
Player of the year (at age U-21) - Aleksandrs Cauņa (Skonto FC)

Goalkeeper of the year in "LMT Virslīga" - Andris Vaņins (FK Ventspils)
Defender of the year in "LMT Virslīga"- Deniss Ivanovs (L. Metalurgs)
Midfielder of the year in "LMT Virslīga" - Vitālijs Astafjevs (Skonto FC)
Forward of the year in "LMT Virslīga" - Vits Rimkus (FK Ventspils)

Scorer of the year in  "LMT Virslīga" - Vits Rimkus (FK Ventspils) / 14 goals

Referee of the year - Andrejs Sipailo (FIFA kat., Daugavpils)

The best match organisation in "LMT Virslīga" award - FK Ventspils

Latvian national team captain Vitālijs Astafjevs got the special award from LFF as the player with 150 caps for Latvian national team - the second longest record in whole Europe. 

Juris Docenko award "Youth best coach 2008" -
Aleksandrs Opekunovs (Daugavpils BJSS)

Ilmārs Liepiņš award "Latvian best Youth player in 2008" -
Alans Siņeļņikovs (JFK Olimps/ASK)

Best football media company in Latvia - eSports.lv
Best latvian writing football journalist - Askolds Uldriķis (NRA/SA)
Bets russian writing football journalist - Mihails Koroļovs (uefa.com)
Best football fotographer / company - "A.F.I." fotoagency 

LFF Press department
lff.prese@gmail.com