JELGAVA, Latvia — Earlier this week, the Triobet Baltic League resumed with the leg one quarterfinals taking place across the Baltics.

Returning from a winter layoff and with many teams sporting new lineups, few had expected champagne football but those who ventured out to watch the games would have been happy enough with the spectacles they were delivered.

Action began indoors in Vilnius on Tuesday evening with Ventspils playing away to [private_supervisor]Vėtra. What was labeled as the battle of the runners-up in reference to the final placings of both teams in last season’s respective domestic competitions turned out to be something of a one sided affair.

Vėtra, deciding to rest some of their leading players to focus on other competitions they are currently involved in, could only manage the solitary goal in reply to one in each half from Ventspils. Ventspils are now expected to move through to the semi-finals with ease when the team meet again in Ventspils on May 5, having scored two invaluable away goals.

In Tuesday’s other game, a ten-man Ekranas were able to hold on for a 0-0 draw with hosts Flora. Relegated to ten for the final 16 minutes of a scrappy encounter, the Lithuanian champs refused to step down, continuing on the attack. Resting key personnel for the match against a full strength Flora, means the return leg should be something of a walk in the park for Ekranas.

Playing fellow countrymen, Latvia’s top team Liepājas Metalurgs will be fancying their chances of progressing, following their 1-0 victory over Skonto at home on Wednesday. Obviously they still need to produce a result away from a home but they will take heed from the fact they kept a clean sheet at home.

In Marijampolė FC Levadia Tallinn defended well to eke out a 0-0 draw with Sūduva, handing them the advantage for the return leg. In a big gamble, Levadia Tallinn took just 14 men to Marijampole for the match, a gamble that appeared to work.

Levadia coach Igor Prins was satisfied with the result, pointing out the opposition had far more goal scoring opportunities, and his team should be even more commended for their effort, considering the number of people playing out of position. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]Vėtra. What was labeled as the battle of the runners-up in reference to the final placings of both teams in last season’s respective domestic competitions turned out to be something of a one sided affair.

Vėtra, deciding to rest some of their leading players to focus on other competitions they are currently involved in, could only manage the solitary goal in reply to one in each half from Ventspils. Ventspils are now expected to move through to the semi-finals with ease when the team meet again in Ventspils on May 5, having scored two invaluable away goals.

In Tuesday’s other game, a ten-man Ekranas were able to hold on for a 0-0 draw with hosts Flora. Relegated to ten for the final 16 minutes of a scrappy encounter, the Lithuanian champs refused to step down, continuing on the attack. Resting key personnel for the match against a full strength Flora, means the return leg should be something of a walk in the park for Ekranas.

Playing fellow countrymen, Latvia’s top team Liepājas Metalurgs will be fancying their chances of progressing, following their 1-0 victory over Skonto at home on Wednesday. Obviously they still need to produce a result away from a home but they will take heed from the fact they kept a clean sheet at home.

In Marijampolė FC Levadia Tallinn defended well to eke out a 0-0 draw with Sūduva, handing them the advantage for the return leg. In a big gamble, Levadia Tallinn took just 14 men to Marijampole for the match, a gamble that appeared to work.

Levadia coach Igor Prins was satisfied with the result, pointing out the opposition had far more goal scoring opportunities, and his team should be even more commended for their effort, considering the number of people playing out of position. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]Vėtra. What was labeled as the battle of the runners-up in reference to the final placings of both teams in last season’s respective domestic competitions turned out to be something of a one sided affair.

Vėtra, deciding to rest some of their leading players to focus on other competitions they are currently involved in, could only manage the solitary goal in reply to one in each half from Ventspils. Ventspils are now expected to move through to the semi-finals with ease when the team meet again in Ventspils on May 5, having scored two invaluable away goals.

In Tuesday’s other game, a ten-man Ekranas were able to hold on for a 0-0 draw with hosts Flora. Relegated to ten for the final 16 minutes of a scrappy encounter, the Lithuanian champs refused to step down, continuing on the attack. Resting key personnel for the match against a full strength Flora, means the return leg should be something of a walk in the park for Ekranas.

Playing fellow countrymen, Latvia’s top team Liepājas Metalurgs will be fancying their chances of progressing, following their 1-0 victory over Skonto at home on Wednesday. Obviously they still need to produce a result away from a home but they will take heed from the fact they kept a clean sheet at home.

In Marijampolė FC Levadia Tallinn defended well to eke out a 0-0 draw with Sūduva, handing them the advantage for the return leg. In a big gamble, Levadia Tallinn took just 14 men to Marijampole for the match, a gamble that appeared to work.

Levadia coach Igor Prins was satisfied with the result, pointing out the opposition had far more goal scoring opportunities, and his team should be even more commended for their effort, considering the number of people playing out of position. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]Vėtra. What was labeled as the battle of the runners-up in reference to the final placings of both teams in last season’s respective domestic competitions turned out to be something of a one sided affair.

Vėtra, deciding to rest some of their leading players to focus on other competitions they are currently involved in, could only manage the solitary goal in reply to one in each half from Ventspils. Ventspils are now expected to move through to the semi-finals with ease when the team meet again in Ventspils on May 5, having scored two invaluable away goals.

In Tuesday’s other game, a ten-man Ekranas were able to hold on for a 0-0 draw with hosts Flora. Relegated to ten for the final 16 minutes of a scrappy encounter, the Lithuanian champs refused to step down, continuing on the attack. Resting key personnel for the match against a full strength Flora, means the return leg should be something of a walk in the park for Ekranas.

Playing fellow countrymen, Latvia’s top team Liepājas Metalurgs will be fancying their chances of progressing, following their 1-0 victory over Skonto at home on Wednesday. Obviously they still need to produce a result away from a home but they will take heed from the fact they kept a clean sheet at home.

In Marijampolė FC Levadia Tallinn defended well to eke out a 0-0 draw with Sūduva, handing them the advantage for the return leg. In a big gamble, Levadia Tallinn took just 14 men to Marijampole for the match, a gamble that appeared to work.

Levadia coach Igor Prins was satisfied with the result, pointing out the opposition had far more goal scoring opportunities, and his team should be even more commended for their effort, considering the number of people playing out of position. [/private_subscription 1 year]

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