FK RFS

RFS
Full nameBiedrība FC RFS[1]
Futbola klubs RFS
Founded2016; 9 years ago (2016)
(predecessor FSK Daugava 90 founded in May 19, 2005; 20 years ago (May 19, 2005))
GroundLNK Sporta Parks
Capacity2,300
ChairmanArtjoms Milovs
ManagerViktors Morozs
LeagueVirslīga
2024Virslīga, 1st of 10 (champions)
Websitefkrfs.lv
Current season

FK RFS (also FC RFS) is a professional Latvian football club based in Riga. The club competes in the Virslīga, the top tier of Latvian football. It has existed in its current form since 2016, with predecessors dating back to 2005.

The team traditionally wears a blue home kit and a white away kit. After almost six years at Jānis Skredelis Stadium, RFS moved its home matches to LNK Sporta Parks in 2022.

RFS has won the Latvian championship three times (2021, 2023, 2024) and the Latvian Cup three times (2019, 2021, 2024). In 2022, the club was named Best Sports Club in Riga. That year, RFS became only the second Latvian club to qualify for the group stage of a European competition, following FK Ventspils in 2009–10, after defeating Linfield in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off. In January 2025, RFS recorded the first-ever victory by a Latvian club in a UEFA group stage, defeating Ajax in the Europa League.

History

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Origins

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Until 2003, the nucleus of the future club was a youth team of players born in 1990–91 under JFK Skonto, the academy of FK Skonto, coached by Vladimirs Beļajevs. In 2003 Beļajevs and his players left to form Futbola sporta skola Daugava (FSK Daugava).

On 19 May 2005, the semi-professional club FSK Daugava 90 was established, built around players born 1989–99. The team entered the Latvian First League in 2007 and was renamed FK Daugava the following year. After winning promotion in 2008, they were relegated from the Virslīga in 2009.

Between 2009 and 2011 the club operated as Rīgas futbola skola[2] (not connected with the Riga Football School academy founded in 1962)[3][4]. The current legal entity, biedrība FC RFS, was registered on 9 September 2009.[2]

Rīgas futbola skola placed third in the 1. līga in 2015, just missing promotion. In 2016, following the revocation of Skonto FC’s licence, the Latvian Football Federation awarded its spot to the club, which rebranded as RFS and returned to the Virslīga.[5]

Settling In (2016–2017)

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With limited preparation time, RFS recruited experienced players, including Ritus Krjauklis and Aleksejs Višņakovs. The club finished sixth in 2016, narrowly above the relegation play-off. Managerial changes led to Jurijs Ševļakovs taking charge.

In 2017, under Andrejs Kaļiņins, RFS added Aleksandrs Cauņa, Roberts Savaļnieks, and Lasha Shergelashvili. Young striker Roberts Uldriķis scored twice on his debut against champions Jūrmalas Spartaks. The team finished fifth, just short of European qualification.

First Success (2018–2020)

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Valdas Dambrauskas was appointed head coach in December 2017. RFS placed third in 2018, securing European qualification for the first time. The team’s attacking style featured 57 goals in 28 matches.

In 2019, strong transfers included Tomáš Šimkovič, Slavko Blagojević, and striker Darko Lemajič. RFS finished runners-up in the league and won the Latvian Cup, the club’s first major trophy. Their European debut ended in the first qualifying round against Olimpija Ljubljana.

In 2020 Dambrauskas departed for HNK Gorica, with assistant Viktors Morozs taking over. RFS finished second again in a COVID-affected season, with Brazilian loanee Emerson finishing top scorer.

The Double (2021)

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RFS strengthened with Emerson, Tomislav Šarić, and others. In Europe, they eliminated Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag and Puskás Akadémia before falling to KAA Gent. Domestically, RFS won both the Latvian Cup and their first Virslīga title, achieving a domestic double.

European breakthrough (2022)

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RFS debuted in the Champions League qualifiers, losing to HJK Helsinki and dropping into the Europa Conference League. After eliminating Hibernians and Linfield, they reached the group stage, only the second Latvian club ever to do so.

In the league, RFS slipped to third, and lost the Latvian Cup final to FK Auda. In Europe, they drew against Fiorentina and Istanbul Başakşehir but finished bottom of their group.

Regaining The Title (2023)

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RFS legally changed its name to FC RFS in May 2023. Despite an unbeaten start, they trailed Riga FC for much of the season. On the final day, RFS overtook their rivals to claim a second Virslīga championship. They were eliminated from European qualifiers by Sabah FK.

Europa League and domestic dominance (2024)

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In 2024 RFS defeated Larne and UE Santa Coloma in qualifiers, eventually reaching the UEFA Europa League group stage after defeating APOEL.[6][7] On 23 January 2025, they beat Ajax 1–0, marking the first Latvian win in a UEFA group-stage match.[8][9]

Grounds

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RFS initially played at multiple venues before settling at Jānis Skredelis Stadium (2016–2022). Since mid-2022 they have been based at LNK Sporta Parks, a modern complex built by LNK Properties. The facility has two natural grass pitches, three artificial fields, and training grounds. Selected European matches are played at Skonto Stadium or Daugava Stadium.[10]

Records and statistics

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Rivalries

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Riga Derby

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RFS share a fierce rivalry with Riga FC, with both clubs emerging as dominant forces since 2016. Each has won three league titles. The derby is the most attended fixture in Latvian club football, averaging around 3,000 spectators.

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The 2022 documentary series Fight for the Dream 22′, directed by Rimvydas Čekavičius, followed RFS during their 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League campaign. The six-part series depicted both on- and off-field moments from their historic European run.

European record

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As of match played 30 July 2025
Competition GP W D L GF GA +/-
UEFA Champions League 10 5 0 5 13 14 –1
UEFA Europa League 14 3 2 9 17 16 +1
UEFA Conference League 20 6 6 8 28 29 −1
Total 44 14 8 22 58 59 –1
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Agg.
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 1QR Slovenia Olimpija Ljubljana 0–2 3–2 3–4
2020–21 UEFA Europa League 1QR Serbia Partizan 0–1
2021–22 UEFA Conference League 1QR Faroe Islands 2–3 4–2 (a.e.t.) 6–5
2QR Hungary Puskás Akadémia 3–0 2–0 5–0
3QR Belgium Gent 0–1 2–2 2–3
2022–23 UEFA Champions League 1QR Finland HJK 2–1 (a.e.t.) 0–1 2–2 (4–5 p)
UEFA Conference League 3QR Malta Hibernians 1–1 3–1 4–2
PO Northern Ireland Linfield 2–2 1–1 (a.e.t.) 3–3 (4–2 p)
GS Turkey Başakşehir 0–0 0–3 4th
Italy Fiorentina 0–3 1–1
Scotland Hearts 0–2 1–2
2023–24 UEFA Conference League 1QR North Macedonia Makedonija GP 4–1 1–0 5–1
2QR Azerbaijan Sabah 0–2 1–2 1–4
2024–25 UEFA Champions League 1QR Northern Ireland Larne 3–0 4–0 7–0
2QR Norway Bodø/Glimt 1–3 0–4 1–7
UEFA Europa League 3QR Andorra UE Santa Coloma 7–0 2–0 9–0
PO Cyprus APOEL 2–1 1–2 (a.e.t.) 3–3 (4–2 p)
LP Netherlands Ajax 1–0 32nd
Germany Eintracht Frankfurt 0–1
Greece PAOK 0–2
Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 1–2
Turkey Galatasaray 2–2
Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv 0–1
Belgium Anderlecht 1–1
Romania FCSB 1–4
2025–26 UEFA Champions League 1QR Estonia FCI Levadia 1–0 1–0 2–0
2QR Sweden Malmö FF 1–4 0–1 1–5
UEFA Europa League 3QR Finland KuPS 1–2 0–1 1–3
UEFA Conference League PO Malta Hamrun Spartans 2–2 0–1 2–3
Notes
  • QR: Qualifying round
  • GS: Group stage
  • LP: League phase

UEFA Club Ranking

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As of 1 October 2025[11]
Rank Team Points
123 Belgium KRC Genk 13.000
124 Belgium Cercle Brugge K.S.V. 12.750
125 Latvia FK RFS 12.500
126 Switzerland Servette FC 12.500
127 Kazakhstan FC Astana 12.500

Honours

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Players

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Current squad

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As of 18 August 2025[12]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  LVA Pāvels Šteinbors
2 DF  SRB Aleksandar Filipović
3 FW  NGA Victor Osuagwu
4 DF  LVA Roberts Veips (on loan from FS Jelgava)
5 DF  LVA Niks Sliede
6 MF  GAM Alfusainey Jatta
7 FW  CIV Ismaël Diomandé
8 MF  GEO Lasha Odisharia
9 MF  LVA Dāvis Ikaunieks
10 MF  LVA Jānis Ikaunieks
11 DF  LVA Roberts Savaļnieks
13 GK  LVA Sergejs Vilkovs
15 FW  CMR Rostand Ndjiki
16 GK  LVA Jevgēņijs Ņerugals
17 FW  CIV Cedric Kouadio
18 MF  LVA Dmitrijs Zelenkovs
19 MF  LVA Roberts Meļķis (on loan from Liepāja)
21 DF  LVA Elvis Stuglis
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 FW  SRB Darko Lemajić
23 DF  ALB Herdi Prenga
25 DF  CZE Petr Mareš
26 MF  SRB Stefan Panić
27 DF  LVA Rendijs Šibass
30 MF  GAM Rasid Njie
32 MF  ARG Facundo García
35 GK  CRO Marko Marić
37 FW  SUR Tayrell Wouter
43 DF  SVN Žiga Lipušček (captain)
49 MF  LVA Mārtiņš Ķigurs
70 FW  SEN Mor Talla
71 FW  SEN Barthélemy Diedhiou (on loan from Daugavpils)
77 FW  MTQ Jérémie Porsan-Clémenté
81 MF  SRB Strahinja Rakić
87 FW  BFA Faycal Konate
MF  BRA Vitinho (on loan from Brazil Atlético Mineiro)
FW  CIV Mamadou Sylla

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK  LVA Frenks Orols (at Grobiņa until 31 December 2025)
24 MF  JPN Mikaze Nagasawa (at Tukums 2000 until 31 December 2025)
41 MF  JPN Yukiyoshi Karashima (at Finland HJK until 31 December 2025)
69 MF  UKR Maksym Derkach (at Tukums 2000 until 31 December 2025)
MF  LVA Gļebs Žaleiko (at Jelgava until 31 December 2025)
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  GAM Modou Saidy (at BFC Daugavpils until 31 December 2025)
FW  LVA Ruslans Deružinskis (at Jelgava until 31 December 2025)
FW  LVA Rodrigo Gaučis (at Grobiņa until 31 December 2025)
FW  LVA Valerijs Lizunovs (at BFC Daugavpils until 31 December 2025)

Personnel

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Current technical staff

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Position Staff
Head coach Latvia Viktors Morozs
Assistant coach Latvia Vladimirs Žavoronkovs
Goalkeeping coach Russia Anton Savchenkov
Fitness coach Latvia Oļegs Semjonovs
Sports therapist Latvia Dmitrijs Jefremenkovs, Rihards Ūdris
Technical analyst Latvia Iļja Ščaņicins
Head of media &
communications
Lithuania Paulius Jakelis
Photographer Latvia Sanita Ieva Sparāne

Management

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Position Staff
President Latvia Artjoms Milovs
General director Latvia Māris Verpakovskis
Director of football Latvia Aleksandrs Usovs
Executive director Latvia Nikolajs Kulmanakovs
Team administrator Latvia Kirils Butovskis

References

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  1. ^ IT, LURSOFT (25 January 2025). "FC RFS, 40008145940 - company data". Lursoft IT.
  2. ^ a b "FC RFS, 40008145940 - company data". Lursoft IT. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  3. ^ SkolaRFS62. "Par skolu". Rīgas Futbola Skola (in Latvian). Retrieved 3 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Rīgas Futbola skola - Latvian Football Federation". lff.lv. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  5. ^ Karel Stokkermans (14 April 2016). "Pirma Liga". Latvia 2015. RSSSF. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  6. ^ "FK Rīgas FS Scores and Fixtures, All Competitions". FBref.com. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Fixture schedule confirmed for Europa League". ESPN.com. 31 August 2024.
  8. ^ "FCSB 4-1 RFS (26 Sep, 2024) Final Score - ESPN (UK)". ESPN.
  9. ^ "Ajax embarrassed in Latvia as they lose 1-0 to RFS in the UEFA Europa League | NL Times". nltimes.nl. 23 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Live: Rigas FS-Ajax". parool.nl (in Dutch). 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Member associations - UEFA rankings - Club coefficients". UEFA. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  12. ^ "Komanda – FK RFS". FK RFS. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
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