Arvīds Jurgens vs Vitālijs Astafjevs
Latvia against Latvia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Arvīds Jurgens
Latvia · 1924–36 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 80
- Rank in Latvia
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 38 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Rīgas FK, Riga Vanderer, FK ASK Riga
He spent his nineteenth birthday, 27 May 1924, in the Latvian goal against France at the Stade de Paris, and returned to the Olympics twelve years later on skates as an ice hockey forward at Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Latvia's first Baltic Cup came in 1928 with him behind the defence, part of 38 caps across eleven years, alongside four Latvian league titles in goal, the 1925 basketball championship and five hockey titles with ASK Riga. Career record: 38 caps and 0 goals for Latvia; club career at Rīgas FK, Riga Vanderer, FK ASK Riga.
Vitālijs Astafjevs
Latvia · 2000s · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 82
- Rank in Latvia
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 167 · 16 goals
- Clubs
- Skonto, Bristol Rovers, Rubin Kazan
Latvia's most capped player, this tireless engine was the captain and heartbeat of the side that reached Euro 2004. Career record: 167 caps and 16 goals for Latvia; club career at Skonto, Bristol Rovers, Rubin Kazan.
The verdict
The almanac puts Vitālijs Astafjevs ahead by 2 rating points, 82 against 80.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.