Baltic Football Podcast

Baltic football news

Baltic Football Podcast is your English-language home for football in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia - covering the Virslīga, Toplyga, and Premium Liiga, plus the national teams and local players abroad. From Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn, we are delighted to show you some of the best summer-league football Europe has to offer, share untold stories and experience that genuine football romance that people the world over fall in love with football for. We love these leagues and we can't wait to share them with you!

  1. 5D AGO

    RFS, Nõmme Kalju and Kauno Žalgiris set the tone for 2026!

    We are a month in and Baltic football has already given us contenders, warning signs and a few early surprises. In this episode of the Baltic Football Podcast, we break down the start of the season across Latvia’s Virslīga, Estonia’s Premium Liiga and Lithuania’s Toplyga: why RFS look steadier than expected, why Nõmme Kalju are the early surprise package, whether Kauno Žalgiris are setting the standard in Lithuania, and what is going wrong at Vilnius Žalgiris. We also get into FK Auda’s pace and depth, TransINVEST’s statement result, Riga FC’s uneven start, standout players in the Baltics, rising attendances in Lithuania, and the first refereeing controversy in Estonia. (00:01:28) RFS and the early Virslīga picture (00:03:02) Are Nõmme Kalju the biggest surprise so far? (00:03:47) FK Auda and TransINVEST catch the eye (00:06:41) Lithuania focus: Kauno Žalgiris set the pace (00:10:02) Vilnius Žalgiris problems and the wider Toplyga race (00:12:54) Bigger crowds and why Lithuania feels like the place to be (00:15:14) Latvia focus: Virslīga storylines so far (00:20:31) Ogre, Jelgava and the lower-table questions (00:23:12) Is Virslīga becoming a two-team title race? (00:25:56) Estonia focus: Nõmme Kalju, Flora concerns and Paide expectations (00:27:55) Estonian refereeing: Levadia want to see the manager (00:35:14) Racism in Baltics and in Baltic football (00:41:14) Latvia national team: Gibraltar, Paolo Nicolato and what comes next (00:42:14) Denniss Cirkins chooses Latvia over Ireland To stay atop football news from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, visit www.balticfootballnews.com and follow Baltic Football News on all major social networks!

    45 min
  2. MAR 5

    Baltic football 2026: Who wins Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia?

    The Baltic leagues are back, and 2026 is already shaping up to be exciting! Riga FC defending a title they snatched from RFS, Kauno Žalgiris coming off a historic season in Lithuania, and a very different-looking race in Estonia after Flora’s comeback. In this season preview, we run through what pre-season actually told us (and what it didn’t), why the first rounds on artificial grass can decide championships, the Super Cup talking points, and our early winners-and-relegation calls across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. All of this, plus: Pre-season friendlies and camps abroad (including Baltic sides testing themselves vs Dynamo Kyiv), the “Toplyga”/A Lyga rebrand debate, why Lithuania’s indoor matchday experience is setting the standard early-season, Riga FC’s early silverware and new faces, Nõmme Kalju’s statement win in Estonia, and rapid-fire predictions (plus relegation trouble spots). (00:00:29) 2026 season preview begins: what’s coming in the Baltic leagues (00:02:10) Pre-season notebook: Tallinn Cup, Dynamo Kyiv tests, camps abroad (00:03:52) Virsliga’s early plastic factor and why March points can decide titles (00:06:20) Lithuania’s “Toplyga” start: results, indoor football, and packed stands (00:08:10) Baltic winter, pitches, and the weather report (00:09:42) Super Cup roundup: Lithuania, Latvia in Turkey, Estonia in Paide + Livonian Cup (00:11:07) Riga FC focus: trophies already, new signings, and the start-of-season question (00:13:36) Estonia spotlight: Nõmme Kalju’s statement win and what it means for the title race (00:18:15) Premium Liiga race: Flora doubts, Levadia transition, and room for challengers (00:20:23) Website update (00:22:13) Lithuania deep-dive: dynasty league talk, “Leicester” seasons, and squad-building debates (00:27:38) Who wins 2026? Our picks for Lithuania/Latvia/Estonia + Europe prospects (00:29:21) Relegation watch and survival battles: who’s under pressure early? Follow the 2026 season with live tables, fixtures, match coverage and analysis on balticfootballnews.com. For clips, breaking updates and the best bits from around the Baltics, follow Baltic Football News on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and subscribe here so you don’t miss the next episode! #football #soccer #latvia #lithuania #estonia

    41 min
  3. MAR 1

    Pitchside: Kauno Žalgiris set the tone as Toplyga begins

    Welcome to Pitchside - a new podcast segment with Baltic Football News' journalist Harry Brown and former FK Auda and Valmiera FC goalkeeping coach Tony McMullen! For a closer look at Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian football, join Tony and Harry Pitchside! This week is Lithuania-heavy because the Toplyga is the first of the three Baltic leagues to kick off. The headline is Kauno Žalgiris lifting the Lithuanian Super Cup - and then the wider question of whether this club is built to stay at the top and if their stadium, squad depth and support to make success sustainable? And then there’s also the post-match controversy: flares inside the arena, heavy smoke, and an evacuation, and a proper discussion about the balance between atmosphere, culture and basic safety. Plus, Pitchside’s new weekly picks: • Result of the Round: Džiugas Telšiai shocking Žalgiris Vilnius 3–2 away, capped by a late stoppage-time winner. • Player of the Round: Denis Bunchakov - goal, duels, recoveries, and a very specific “old-school Lampard” comparison. And a quick Round 1 wrap: Panevėžys 0-0 Sūduva, Hegelmann’s new era starting with defeat, TransINVEST letting a two-goal advantage slip, and Kaunas needing late goals to get past 10-man Riteriai. (00:00:02) Super Cup + Toplyga kickoff (00:08:30) Early favourites (00:11:10) Livonia Cup (Flora vs Riga FC) (00:13:09) Reading preseason form (00:26:44) Closing For up-to-date football news from Toplyga, Virsliga and Premium liiga, visit www.balticfootballnews.com and follow us on social media! #latvia #lithuania #estonia #zalgiris #vilnius #riga #tallinn #toplyga #virsliga #premiumliiga

    28 min
  4. JAN 8 ·  BONUS

    We Started a Football News Website - Here’s What Actually Happened

    One year ago, we launched Baltic Football News with a simple idea: to open up Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian football to international audiences - properly, consistently, and with respect for the game. What followed was... not really all we expected it was going to be.In this special episode, we look back candidly at the first year of running a football news portal from scratch. We talk about what we underestimated, what nearly broke the project, and what made it worth continuing. From writing over a thousand articles with no pay, to learning the hard way how much time “just one article” really takes; from language barriers and access issues, to media accreditation, networking, and unexpected moments at Wembley and beyond.We discuss:-Why writing articles is orders of magnitude harder than running social media-The hidden costs of volunteer journalism and passion projects-What happens when there’s too much football but no one available to cover it, and vice versa-Why some in-depth articles flop while accidental stories explode-Mistakes, rumours, and the pressure of being taken seriously as a news outlet-The tension between clicks, credibility, and long-term sustainability-What we would do differently if we were starting again todayJoin Janis and Dmitrijs for an honest post-mortem of a year spent trying to build something meaningful in a niche corner of football, and a conversation we wish we had heard before starting.If you’re thinking of launching a football website, a news platform, or any passion-driven media project, this episode is for you.#football #soccer #news #latvia #lithuania #estonia #lessonslearned

    1h 17m
  5. 11/30/2025

    Best in Baltics: BFN Football Awards 2025

    Our inaugural Baltic Football Awards 2025 brings together the very best of Lithuania’s A Lyga, Latvia’s Virslīga, and Estonia’s Premium Liiga. With Baltic Football News reporters attending matches weekly across all three countries, this awards edition delivers the most complete, on-the-ground assessment of Baltic football in 2025. What were the surprises and disappointments of 2025, who are the best and who are to watch out for in the future? Tune in to find out! (00:00:30) Disappointment of the Season: Biggest letdown of the year (00:06:36) Surprise of the Season: The Shock Breakout Star (00:07:45) Estonia’s Premium Liiga Best XI (00:10:46) Lithuania’s A Lyga Best XI (00:16:40) Latvia’s Virslīga Best XI (00:21:24) Rising Star Trophy: Best U21 Player in the Baltics (00:24:42) The combined Baltic Best XI for 2025 Thank you for joining the 2025 Baltic Football Awards. This episode brings the season to a close by recognising the players and clubs who shaped Baltic football across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. As we wrap up another year of standout performances, dramatic storylines, and rising talent, we invite you to share your thoughts, debate the selections, and celebrate the achievements of those who made this season unforgettable. Stay connected, follow how the clubs are gearing up during pre-season, and get ready for an even bigger 2026 with www.balticfootballnews.com ! #football #latvia #lithuania #estonia #soccer #alyga #virsliga #premiumliiga #bfn

    29 min
  6. 10/13/2025

    Baltic Football on Trial: England’s Arrival & the State of Domestic Leagues

    England comes to Riga — but what does this clash reveal about Baltic football? In this episode, we dig into Latvia’s big test against England, why the Baltic national teams keep struggling, and whether domestic leagues are helping or holding them back. From Riga to Kaunas and Tallinn, we explore whether the Baltics are ready to take the next step — or stuck repeating old mistakes. (00:00:57) England comes to Riga — what to expect at Daugava Stadium and how Tuchel’s squad looks (00:02:10) Latvia’s mindset problem — why the team keeps collapsing in first halves (00:06:11) Are Latvia really the best in the Baltics? Stats vs performance (00:10:13) Should Baltic leagues protect domestic players or open up? (00:13:49) Inside the domestic leagues — Kaunas, Vilnius, Riga and more (00:17:16) Can Kaunas claim Lithuania’s first A Lyga title in years? (00:21:27) Riga FC’s dominance and RFS’ fading fortunes in the Virslīga (00:25:27) The rumour of a 23-year-old coach — too young for top flight? (00:28:30) Relegation battles: Riteriai, Metta, Super Nova, Tammeka, and who is coming up for next season (00:32:45) What the Baltic leagues must fix to stay competitive in Europe (00:38:10) Final thoughts — can Baltic football finally break through? 👉 Subscribe for more Baltic football talk and visit balticfootballnews.com for match reports, league updates, and insights from across the region. #FootballPodcast #EuropeanFootball #InternationalFootball #WorldCup2026Qualifiers #FootballTalk #SoccerPodcast #LVAENG #Alyga #Virsliga #Premiumliiga #Riga #Kaunas #Vilnius #Tallinn #Latvia #Lithuania #Estonia #Hein #Englandaway #calcio #LTUPOL #ESTITA #football #soccer

    44 min

About

Baltic Football Podcast is your English-language home for football in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia - covering the Virslīga, Toplyga, and Premium Liiga, plus the national teams and local players abroad. From Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn, we are delighted to show you some of the best summer-league football Europe has to offer, share untold stories and experience that genuine football romance that people the world over fall in love with football for. We love these leagues and we can't wait to share them with you!

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