VENTSPILS, Latvia — Ventspils defeated Banga 2-1 Tuesday to clinch the last spot for the quarterfinals of the Triobet Baltic League to be played this spring.

Due to their commitments further abroad in Europe, Ventspils had the game rearranged to take place a week later than all other return leg games. Having failed to secure the LMT Virsīlga and their Europa League campaign on the brink of collapse, it was vital that Ventspils remain in contention in the Triobet Baltic League. They have been without doubt the most successful team in the Baltics this season, arguably the best team to ever come from the Baltics, but at the same time they still sit in the unenviable position of choking at the end and potentially not claiming any silverware for their efforts.

When Banga hosted the first leg at home just over month ago, the game ended in a nil all stalemate, handing Ventspils the home-ground advantage. As the game progressed however it looked as if the home-ground may count for little with the two teams locked in at nil all draw for almost the entire first hour.

It was the home team through Aleksandrs Solokovs that finally found the back of the net in the 59th minute but their celebrations were put on hold with Banga hitting back through Israel Douglas just six minutes later.

With time on the clock disappearing rapidly, it looked as if it would be Banga that would advance, on account of the away goal rule. However, Ventspils was the saved the embarrassment of an early exit just four minutes from full-time when Zoau Martins clinched the game for the Latvians.

Ventspils now join fellow Latvian teams Skonto and Liepāja Metalurgs in the final eight. Estonia will be represented by Levadia Tallinn and Flora, whilst Lithuania will also be represented by three teams: Vėtra, Sūduva and Ekranas. The first leg of the quarter-final fixtures are set to take place on Apr. 6 and 7, 2010.