LatvianFootballerCoachInternational

Igors Korabļovs

Igors Korabļovs is a former Latvian football defender and coach who played for the national team, notably participating in UEFA Euro 2004.

1. Early life

Igors Korabļovs was born on November 23, 1974, in Riga, which was then part of the Soviet Union.

2. Playing career

Igors Korabļovs had a long and extensive professional playing career, primarily as a defender, specifically a left-back. He was known for his left-footed play and stood at 69 in (174 cm) tall. His career encompassed numerous clubs across Latvia and a stint in Ukraine, alongside representing his national team at the highest level.

2.1. Club career

Korabļovs began his professional club career in 1994 with Olimps Riga. Over the next two decades, he played for several notable clubs, accumulating significant appearances. In 2005, he also played for FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine for a season before returning to Latvian football. His longest spell was with FB Gulbene, where he played from 2010 to 2015, making over 120 appearances.

The following table details his club career statistics:

ClubPeriodAppearancesGoals
Olimps Riga1994-1995431
FK Daugava Riga1996-1998712
FK Riga1999-2001530
FK Ventspils2002-2004781
FK Jurmala2005130
FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih2005-2006201
FK Riga2006-2008600
FC Daugava Riga2009-2010230
FB Gulbene2010-20151232
RTU FC2016No dataNo data

2.2. International career

Igors Korabļovs made his debut for the Latvia national football team in 1998, in a match against Slovenia. He went on to earn a total of 21 caps for his country, playing as a defender. Although he did not score any goals in his international career, he was a notable part of the national squad during a historic period. His international career culminated with his participation in the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament held in Portugal, where he was listed as player number 18. This marked Latvia's first and only appearance in the finals of a major international football championship. His international career spanned from 1998 to 2006.

3. Managerial career

After a long playing career, Igors Korabļovs transitioned into coaching. While still playing for FB Gulbene, he also took on coaching responsibilities. He eventually became the manager of the club, serving in a dual player-manager role during his later years as a player and then fully as a manager.

4. Honours and achievements

Igors Korabļovs's most significant achievement in his football career was his participation in UEFA Euro 2004 as a member of the Latvia national football team. This tournament represented a historic milestone for Latvian football, being the only time the national team has qualified for a major international championship.

5. Legacy

Igors Korabļovs is remembered as a dedicated and long-serving defender for various Latvian clubs and a significant contributor to the Latvia national football team during a period of growth. His inclusion in the squad for UEFA Euro 2004 secures his place in Latvian football history as part of the team that achieved the country's sole qualification for a major international tournament.