Finland too strong again for Latvia
European Trophy team Finland were again too strong for Conference team Latvia last weekend
Published by John Birch, October 26th, 2024
2 minute read
Finland demonstrated the difference between the European Trophy and the Conference with a comprehensive win against Latvia.
The Finns beat Latvia 41-7 in the Latvians maiden test match last year. Since then Latvia have beaten Norway 50-0 in the Conference while the Finns lost 10-44 against Germany in the Trophy. Did those contrasting results suggest a closer game this year?
No. Finland were in total command from the start, scoring their first try after just two and a half minutes, and despite the encouragement of the home crowd, that is largely how the game continued. Every visit to the Latvian end ultimately resulted in a Finnish try. Finland scored again in the 10th minute, the 19th, the 26th, the 30th, and the 37th to lead 32-0 at half-time. Five more tries followed in the second half.
Latvia had their moments but never threatened the Finnish line, rarely breaking into their 22, despite more than matching the Finns up front. But - ultimately - this was Latvia's third test match, and Finland's thirtieth, and experience makes a huge difference..