Latvian refugee team triumphs in Unity Euro Cup, becoming European champions
The Latvian refugee football team, created, coached and managed by Lidl Arena, are the 2024 Unity Euro Cup champions. The tournament, dedicated to refugee and amateur teams, took place in Nion, Switzerland, in October this year, bringing together teams from 16 countries.
The team started preparing at the beginning of the year, and this was reflected in the results. In the group matches, Latvia won convincingly against Armenia (2-1), Slovenia (3-1) and Malta (3-0) to reach the semi-finals, where they beat Greece 5-3. In the final, Latvia played Finland and celebrated an impressive 4-1 victory to win the gold medal.
The Latvian national team is made up of Ukrainian refugees and four local footballers. “The Unity Euro Cup was launched in 2022 as a partnership between UEFA and the UN Refugee Agency. It aims to promote the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in society, using football as a unifying force that helps both integration and physical and mental health.
Compared to last year, when the Latvian team came fifth, this year's success is a significant step forward and a shining testament to perseverance, cooperation and unity of spirit.
