View source for FK Ventspils

{{Short description|Association football club in Latvia}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Ventspils
| image = FK Ventspils logo.svg
| image_size = 180px
| fullname = Futbola klubs Ventspils
| nickname = ''Yellow-Blues''
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1997}}
| dissolved = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2024||}}
| ground = [[Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions]]
| capacity = 3,200
| manager = [[Igor Kichigin]]
| league = [[Latvian First League]]
| season = 
| position = 
| pattern_la1 = _mezokovesd1617h
| pattern_b1 = _mezokovesd1617h
| pattern_ra1 = _mezokovesd1617h
| leftarm1 = FFD700
| body1 = FFEF00
| rightarm1 = FFD700
| shorts1 = FFEF00
| socks1 = FFEF00
| pattern_la2 = _adidasregista20wrb
| pattern_b2 = _adidasregista20wrb
| pattern_ra2 = _adidasregista20wrb
| pattern_sh2 = _cruzeiro20h
| leftarm2 = FFFFFF
| body2 = FFFFFF
| rightarm2 = FFFFFF
| shorts2 = shorts2=FFFFFF
| socks2 = FFFFFF
| current = 
| website = {{URL|https://fkventspils.com/}}
}}

'''FK Ventspils''' was a Latvian professional [[association football|football]] club based at [[Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions]] in [[Ventspils]]. It was one of the most prominent football clubs in the country. The club played in the [[Latvian Higher League|Latvian Virslīga]] since 1997. 

It folded in July 2021 and was officially liquidated on 19 January 2024.<ref>{{cite news | title=Ēras oficiālas beigas – izbeigta futbola kluba 'Ventspils' darbība | work=Delfi | date=19 January 2024 | url=https://www.delfi.lv/sports/16978250/futbols/56277550/eras-oficialas-beigas-izbeigta-futbola-kluba-ventspils-darbiba | language=lv | access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> A new [[Phoenix club (sports)|phoenix club]] - [[JFK Ventspils]] was created on the basis of the former FK Ventspils youth academy, returned to Latvian football and competes in the [[Latvian First League]] as of 2023.

In total, FK Ventspils has won six league titles and seven [[Latvian Cup]]s. They became [[Latvian Higher League]] champions in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/fixturesresults/round=2000026/match=2000336/report=rp.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808074911/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/fixturesresults/round=2000026/match=2000336/report=rp.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2009 |title=Ventspils hold on to oust BATE |publisher=UEFA }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=January 2016}} In 2009 FK Ventspils became the first Latvian club to participate in the group stages of a [[UEFA]] competition after beating [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]] from [[Belarus]].{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

==History==

FK Ventspils was founded in 1997 with the merger of two former Ventspils clubs&nbsp;– [[FK Venta]] and FK Nafta. Its predecessor, Venta, was one of the leading clubs in the Latvian league in the 1960s.

===FK Venta===

The next notable success for “Venta” was in 1967, when they won the Latvian Cup. By that time they had quite a fighting fit line-up, and 1969 already was their golden year when Venta became champions. During the tournament they gained 43 points; 20 matches won, 3 matches ended in a draw and only 3 matches lost. Additionally, they lost only in the away matches. They scored 45 goals and conceded 16. At that time Venta's leader was a player manager, who is well known not only to the admirers of [[Ventspils]], but the whole of Latvian football, Vladimir Chikinov.

This was the golden line-up: ''Leonid Virko, Konstantin Zhurkevich, Aleksandr Busarov, Valery Yashenko, Aleksandr Tronev, Ariy Shmerling, Vladimir Samohvalov, Aleksandr Novash, Nikolay Chaevky, Nikolay Pozdnyakov, Vladimir Chikinov, Viktor Yurinov, Viktor Litvinenko, Aleksandr Rakicky, Valentin Ipolitov, Vladimir Kutuzov, Valentin Vetrenko, Genady Hrustalov''.

Of course, the victories did not come easy. There was a huge effort put into both&nbsp;– the matches and training. However, at that time they had quite a modest material and technical basis. They trained in the sport hall of Ventspils port, had training camps in [[Piltene]] and went to [[Moldova]] several times. They had close contacts with a children's sport school from which talented youth players often came into the team. Whereas these days there are limits on foreign born players, at that time it was an obligation for the team to have two players younger than 18 years of age in the line-up. Thus, V. Kutuzov, V. Ivankovich, N. Dishlov and later Y. Romanenko, V. Fedotov and others appeared in the team.

In 1963 Ventspils gained a place and the rights to play in the Latvian championship ([[Virsliga]]). The next major achievement for "Venta" came in 1967, when it won the [[Latvian Cup]]. In 1969 "Venta" were champions of [[Latvia]], in that season "Venta" got 43 points, 20 matches won, three drawn and three lost. In the 1970s the team lost its position, in the 1980s it lost its financial support and became defunct for some years. In 1994 Venta returned to [[Latvian First League|1. līga]] but after that season many players left the club as FK Nafta was formed. Until the merger Venta played in 1. liga.

===FK Nafta===

FK Nafta was formed in 1995. In the first season the club won its 2nd league division and earned a promotion to the 1st league. In its only season there the club finished higher than FK Venta. After the season the teams merged to form FK Ventspils.

===FK Ventspils===

The recent history of “Ventspils” began in 1997, the year of the team's foundation. In February 2007, the club that represents the town on the bank of the river Venta with a population of 45 thousand people, celebrated its 10th anniversary. In a relatively short period of time FK “Ventspils” has become one of the strongest clubs in [[Latvia]]. FK “Ventspils” has rapidly developed and gained a reputation of a serious Latvian club, winning various trophies.

In 2003 FK "Ventspils” won the Latvian Cup for the first time in the club's history, and in the next two consecutive years. Only the main trophy&nbsp;– golden medal of the Latvian championship&nbsp;– had yet to be attined. The team won silver and bronze medals of the Latvian championship several times, and, finally, in 2006 FK "Ventspils" became the champions of Latvia.

The Ukrainian specialist [[Roman Hryhorchuk]] led FK Ventspils to the main trophy. Prior to that, in 2003, FK Ventspils had won the Latvian Cup for the first time. Also, in 2004 and in 2005, FK Ventspils won the trophy, but only finished second and third in the Latvian championship. Before Hryhorchuk the team was managed by Russian coach Boris Sinicin, English coach Paul Anthony Ashworth, Lithuanian specialist Saulius Širmelis and the Latvian local [[Sergejs Semjonovs]].

Despite being a relatively new club, FK Ventspils has also had a quite rich and interesting history in the Eurocups. In 1999 FK Ventspils had its debut in the [[Intertoto Cup]] and beat Norwegian team [[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerenga]] on aggregate. Later the club took part in the [[UEFA Cup]], thus allowing fans to see matches against such famous European clubs as [[VfB Stuttgart|Stuttgart]], [[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]], [[Brøndby IF|Brøndby]] and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]. The 0–0 draw in the away match against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] might have been called the greatest achievement of FK Ventspils until 2009. However, even more memorable were the matches against [[Brøndby IF|Brøndby]] in 2004, when FK Ventspils eliminated the Danish club from the UEFA Cup.

On 17 July 2007 FK Ventspils made its debut in the [[UEFA Champions League]]. The yellow-and-blue started their historical trip of the most prestigious club tournament in Europe in [[Wales]], where they played against [[The New Saints F.C.|TNS]]. The author of the first FK Ventspils goal in the Champions League was forward [[Vits Rimkus]]. One week later, on 25 July, FK Ventspils achieved their first victory in the Champions league, beating TNS 2–1 at home. Goals were scored by defenders [[Jean-Paul Ndeki]] and [[Deniss Kačanovs]]. In the second qualifying round the Roman Hryhorchuk's team played against [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Red Bull Salzburg]], led by the legendary Italian specialist [[Giovanni Trapattoni]] and lost. In 2008 FK Ventspils participated in the Champions league for the second time. The first opponents of the team were again the champions of [[Wales]], [[Llanelli A.F.C.|Llanelli]].

===[[2009–10 UEFA Europa League group stage|UEFA Europa league Group stage 2009/10]]===
{{See also|2009 FK Ventspils season}}

In the 2009–10 season FK Ventspils became the first Latvian club to participate in the group stages of [[UEFA]] club competitions after beating [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]] from [[Belarus]] in the last [[UEFA Europa League]] qualification round. FK Ventspils opponents in the group stages were [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting CP]] from Portugal, [[Hertha BSC]] from Germany and [[SC Heerenveen|Heerenveen]] from the Netherlands. Adding several experienced players to the squad, FK Ventspils managed two 1–1 draws away in the [[Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion]] in [[Berlin]] and [[Estádio José Alvalade]] in Lisbon. They also kept a 0–0 draw against Heerenveen at home. They then lost 1-0 at home to [[Hertha BSC|Hertha Berlin]] and 5-0 away to [[SC Heerenveen|Heerenween]]. With three points in six matches, FK Ventspils finished last in Group D, failing to qualify for the UEFA Europa League group stages. 

In 2010 FK Ventspils won the [[2009–10 Baltic League]]. They finished second in the national championship, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League first qualification stage. The club was knocked out of the tournament in the third qualification stage by [[Red Star Belgrade]]. In 2011, they won the national championship, securing their fourth league title. In 2013 FK Ventspils won the league for the fifth time and lifted the Latvian Cup for the sixth time in the club's history. In the middle of 2013 the club participated in the UEFA Europa League qualification stages, reaching the third qualification stage. They knocked out the Welsh champions [[Airbus UK Broughton F.C.|Airbus UK Broughton]] and [[Luxembourg National Division]] club [[Jeunesse Esch]], but lost to the Israeli club [[Maccabi Haifa F.C.|Maccabi Haifa]].

===Disqualification===

On 9 June 2021, [[UEFA]] banned FK Ventspils from participating in UEFA club competitions for the next seven years (i.e. up to and including the 2027–28 season) for violating UEFA regulations related to "fraud, bribery and/or corruption" and for "violation of the integrity of matches and competitions". Club officials Nikolajs Djakins and Adlan Shishkanov were banned from football for 4 years and for life, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[UEFA]]|url=https://disciplinary.uefa.com/updates/026a-127a9f9dd2b4-f2173f6296c5-1000--cedb-decisions-on-fk-ventspils/|title=CEDB decisions on FK Ventspils|date=9 June 2021}}</ref> The charges were related to July 2018 [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round (Main Path)|Europa League]] qualifier against [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux|Bordeaux]], Russian referee [[Sergey Lapochkin (referee, born 1981)|Sergey Lapochkin]] who was refereeing that game was banned from football activity for 10 years.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[UEFA]]|url=https://disciplinary.uefa.com/updates/026a-127aa14d7de3-845a8d6b959d-1000--cedb-decision-on-russian-match-official/|title=CEDB decision on Russian match official|date=9 June 2021}}</ref>

=== Dissolution ===
By 2021, financial problems had beset the club and in the middle of the [[2021 Latvian Higher League|2021 Virslīga season]] the club pulled out of the league and was dissolved.

==Team honours==
* '''[[Latvian Higher League|Virslīga]]: 6'''
** [[2006 Latvian Higher League|2006]], [[2007 Latvian Higher League|2007]], [[2008 Latvian Higher League|2008]], [[2011 Latvian Higher League|2011]], [[2013 Latvian Higher League|2013]], [[2014 Latvian Higher League|2014]]
* '''[[Latvian Football Cup|Latvian Cup]]: 7'''
** 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, [[2010–11 Latvian Football Cup|2010–11]], [[2012–13 Latvian Football Cup|2012–13]], [[2016–17 Latvian Football Cup|2016–17]]
* '''[[Baltic League]]: 1'''
** [[2009–10 Baltic League|2009–10]]
* '''[[Livonia Cup]]: 1'''
** 2008

==Individual honours==

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"
| '''Year'''
| '''Player/manager'''
| '''Award'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Igors Sļesarčuks]]
| Virslīga top scorer
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2006
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Cameroon}} [[Jean-Paul Ndeki]]
| Virslīga best defender
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2006
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Cameroon}} [[Jean-Paul Ndeki]]
| Virslīga best player
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2006, 2007, 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Andris Vaņins]]
| Virslīga best goalkeeper
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2006, 2007, 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Roman Hryhorchuk]]
| Virslīga best manager
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2007
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Vīts Rimkus]]
| Virslīga best player
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2007
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Cameroon}} [[Jean-Paul Ndeki]]
| CIS Cup best player
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2007, 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Vīts Rimkus]]
| Virslīga top scorer
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2007, 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Vīts Rimkus]]
| Virslīga best forward
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Andris Vaņins]]
| Virslīga best player
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Andris Vaņins]]
| '''Latvian Footballer of the Year'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2010
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Jurijs Žigajevs]]
| Virslīga best player
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2010, 2013
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Jurijs Žigajevs]]
| Virslīga best midfielder
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Oļegs Laizāns]]
| Virslīga best midfielder
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Oļegs Laizāns]]
| Virslīga best player
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Sergei Podpaly]]
| Virslīga best manager
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2013
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Jurijs Žigajevs]]
| Virslīga best player
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2013, 2014
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Jurģis Pučinskis]]
| Virslīga best manager
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2014
| style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Kaspars Dubra]]
| Virslīga best defender
|}

==Participation in Latvian Championships==

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"
| '''Year'''
| '''Division'''
| '''Position'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1997
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 1997|Virsliga]]
| 4th
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1998
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 1998|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1999
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 1999|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2000
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2000|Virsliga]]
| 2nd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2001
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2001|Virsliga]]
| 2nd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2002
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2002|Virsliga]]
| 2nd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2003
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2003|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2004
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2004|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2005|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2006
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2006|Virsliga]]
| '''1st'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2007
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2007|Virsliga]]
| '''1st'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2008|Virsliga]]
| '''1st'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2009
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2009|Virsliga]]
| 2nd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2010
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Latvian Higher League 2010|Virsliga]]
| 2nd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2011 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| '''1st'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2012
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2012 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2013
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2013 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| '''1st'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2014
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| '''1st'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2015
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2015 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2016
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2016 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2017
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2017 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| 4th
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2018
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| 2nd
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2019
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2019 Latvian Higher League|Virsliga]]
| 3rd
|}

==Participation in Baltic League==

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"
| '''Year'''
| '''Position'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2007 Baltic League|2007–08]]
| Runners-up
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2008 Baltic League|2008–09]]
| Semi-finals
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2009–10 Baltic League|2009–10]]
| '''Winners'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2010–11 Baltic League|2010–11]]
| Runners-up
|}

==European record==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Season
! Competition
! Round
! Club
! Home
! Away
! Aggregate
!
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1999
| rowspan="2"| [[1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup|UEFA Intertoto Cup]]
| [[1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup#First round|1R]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerenga]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''2–1'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup#Second round|2R]]
| {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Kocaelispor]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–2
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–3'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 2000–01
| [[2000–01 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
| [[2000–01 UEFA Cup#Qualifying round|QR]]
| {{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Vasas SC|Vasas]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–3 ([[extra time|aet]])
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''3–4'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 2001–02
| [[2001–02 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
| [[2001–02 UEFA Cup#Qualifying round|QR]]
| {{flagicon|Finland}} [[HJK Helsinki]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–3'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2002–03
| rowspan="2"| [[2002–03 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
| [[2002–03 UEFA Cup#Qualifying round|QR]]
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[AC Lugano|Lugano]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''3–1'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2002–03 UEFA Cup#First round|1R]]
| {{flagicon|Germany}} [[VfB Stuttgart|Stuttgart]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–4
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–4
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''2–8'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2003–04
| rowspan="2"| [[2003–04 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
| [[2003–04 UEFA Cup#Qualifying round|QR]]
| {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Wisła Płock]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–2
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''3–3''' ([[away goals rule|a]])
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2003–04 UEFA Cup#First round|1R]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–4
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–6
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–10'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2004–05
| rowspan="3"| [[2004–05 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
| [[2004–05 UEFA Cup#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Faroe Islands}} [[B68 Toftir]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 8–0
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–0
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''11–0'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2004–05 UEFA Cup#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Brøndby IF|Brøndby]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–1''' ([[away goals rule|a]])
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2004–05 UEFA Cup#First round|1R]]
| {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Amica Wronki]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–2'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 2005–06
| [[2005–06 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
| [[2005–06 UEFA Cup#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''2–2''' ([[away goals rule|a]])
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2006–07
| rowspan="2"| [[2006–07 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
| [[2006–07 UEFA Cup#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Iceland}} [[Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''4–1'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2006–07 UEFA Cup#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|England}} [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''0–1'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2007–08
| rowspan="2"| [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Wales}} [[The New Saints F.C.|The New Saints]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–3
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''4–4''' ([[away goals rule|a]])
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Austria}} [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Red Bull Salzburg]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–4
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''0–7'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2008–09
| rowspan="2"| [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Wales}} [[Llanelli A.F.C.|Llanelli]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 4–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''4–1'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[SK Brann|Brann]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''2–2''' ([[away goals rule|a]])
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="6"| 2009–10
| rowspan="3"| [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} [[F91 Dudelange]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–0
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''6–1'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League#Third qualifying round|3QR]]
| {{flagicon|Belarus}} [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''2–2''' ([[away goals rule|a]])
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League#Play-off round|PO]]
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[FC Zürich|Zürich]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–5'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| rowspan="3"| [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League#Group D|Group D]]
| {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Hertha BSC]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;"| '''4th'''
| rowspan=3 |[[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[SC Heerenveen|Heerenveen]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–5
|-
| {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting CP]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
|-
| 2010–11
| [[2010–11 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2010–11 UEFA Europa League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Republic of Macedonia}} [[FK Teteks|Teteks]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–3
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–3'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2011–12
| rowspan="2"| [[2011–12 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2011–12 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Belarus}} [[FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk|Shakhtyor Soligorsk]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–2
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''4–2'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2011–12 UEFA Europa League#Third qualifying round|3QR]]
| {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Red Star Belgrade]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–7
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–9'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 2012–13
| [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Molde FK|Molde]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–4'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2013–14
| rowspan="3"| [[2013–14 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2013–14 UEFA Europa League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Wales}} [[Airbus UK Broughton F.C.|Airbus UK Broughton]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–1''' ([[away goals rule|a]])
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2013–14 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} [[Jeunesse Esch]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 4–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''5–1'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2013–14 UEFA Europa League#Third qualifying round|3QR]]
| {{flagicon|Israel}} [[Maccabi Haifa F.C.|Maccabi Haifa]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''0–3'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 2014–15
| [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Malmö FF]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''0–1'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 2015–16
| [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]
| [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Finland}} [[HJK Helsinki]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–3
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–4'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2016–17
| rowspan="2" | [[2016–17 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2016–17 UEFA Europa League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Faroe Islands}} [[Víkingur Gøta]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''4–0'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2016–17 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''0–4'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| 2017–18
| [[2017–18 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2017–18 UEFA Europa League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Iceland}} [[Valur (club)|Valur]]
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''0–1'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2018–19
| rowspan="2" | [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Albania}} [[Luftëtari Gjirokastër|Luftëtari]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 5−0
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–3
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''8–3'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|France}} [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux|Bordeaux]]
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–3'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |2019–20
| rowspan="3" |[[2019–20 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2019–20 UEFA Europa League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Albania}} [[KF Teuta Durrës|Teuta]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–0
| bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''3–1'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2019–20 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Malta}} [[Gżira United F.C.|Gżira United]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 4–0
| bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–2
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''6–2'''
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2019–20 UEFA Europa League#Third qualifying round|3QR]]
| {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Vitória S.C.|Vitória de Guimarães]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–3
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–6
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''0–9'''
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |2020–21
| rowspan="3" |[[2020–21 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2020–21 UEFA Europa League#First qualifying round|1QR]]
| {{flagicon|Moldova}} [[FC Dinamo-Auto Tiraspol|Dinamo-Auto]]
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''2–1'''
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| [[File:Symbol keep vote.svg|17px]]
|-
| [[2020–21 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|2QR]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]]
| bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–5'''
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg|17px]]
|}

==Sponsors==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|'''General sponsors'''
{{flagicon|Latvia}} Ventspils Pilsētas Dome <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} VK Tranzīts <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} LDZ Cargo <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} Ventspils Nafta
|-
|'''Kit manufacturer'''
{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Adidas]]
|-
|'''Other sponsors'''
{{flagicon|Latvia}} Ventamonjaks Serviss <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} Ventspils Brīvostas Pārvalde <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} Latus Sardze <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} Vats <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} Venden <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} Kurzemes Radio <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} Albert Hotel <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} Radio SWH <br> {{flagicon|Latvia}} From Me
|}

==Current squad==
; As to 30 July 2023
{{Fs start|hidenote=yes}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Ilja Isajevs]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Alekss Petrovs]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Krists Svarups]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Aleksandrs Baturinskis]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Mariss Bite]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Nikita Rozancevs]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Janis Jekabs Gaisins]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Markoss Feldmans]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Vladislavs Bojaruns]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Tomass Ziborkins]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Niks Jansons]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Rainers Veidemainis]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Davis Kaneps]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Valters Valts Grislis]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Artemijs Mihails Lucins]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Vladimirs Mukins]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Kristaps Kancs]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Kirils Markovs]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Valters Liepajnieks]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Klavs Vilumovs]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Divs Rins]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=LVA|name=[[Kaspars Svārups]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs end}}

==Notable former players==
*''Past (and present) players who are the subjects of Wikipedia articles can be found [[:Category:FK Ventspils players|here]].''

==Managers==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Period
|-
| {{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Sergei Borovsky]]
| Jan 1, 1997&nbsp;– Jan 1, 1998
|-
| {{flagicon|LIT}} Saulius Cekanavičius ''(caretaker)''
| 1998
|-
| {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Boris Sinitsyn]]
| 1999–00
|-
| {{flagicon|LIT}} Saulius Cekanavičius ''(caretaker)''
| 2000
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Paul Ashworth]]
| January 1, 2001&nbsp;– June 30, 2003
|-
| {{flagicon|LIT}} Saulius Širmelis
| 2003–04
|-
| {{flagicon|LAT}} [[Sergejs Semjonovs]]
| 2005
|-
| {{flagicon|UKR}} [[Roman Hryhorchuk]]
| July 1, 2005&nbsp;– Aug 11, 2009
|-
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Nunzio Zavettieri]]
| Aug 11, 2009&nbsp;– Dec 31, 2010
|-
| {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Sergei Podpaly]]
| Jan 17, 2011&nbsp;– May 17, 2012
|-
| {{flagicon|LAT}} [[Jurģis Pučinskis]]
| July 1, 2012–14th Sept, 2015
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Paul Ashworth]]
| 2015–2017
|-
| {{flagicon|MNE}} [[Dejan Vukićević]]
| 2018–2019
|-
| {{flagicon|LAT}} [[Igors Kļosovs]]
| 2019
|-
| {{flagicon|MDA}} [[Viorel Frunză]]
| 2020–
|-
|{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Ghenadie Anghel]]
| 2004
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://fkventspils.com/ Official website] {{in lang|lv|ru|en}}
*[http://www.lff.lv/ Latvian Football Federation website] {{in lang|lv|en}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051025225454/http://www.uefa.com/footballEurope/Club=64359/domestic.html Ventspils FK] at the [[UEFA]] official website
*[http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/fk-ventspils/ Ventspils FK] at the World Football.net

{{FK Ventspils managers}}
{{Latvian Higher League}}

[[Category:FK Ventspils| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Latvia|Ventspils]]
[[Category:Sport in Ventspils]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1997]]
[[Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 2024]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in Latvia]]
[[Category:2024 disestablishments in Latvia]]