In a hard-fought opening match of the European Silver League Women`s Final held in Riga, the Latvian national team delivered a significant performance to defeat tournament favourites Switzerland. Latvia`s starting lineup for this crucial first leg included Marta Kamēlija Levinska, Elvita Dolotova, Paula Nikola Ņečiporuka, Anna Rīta, Anija Jurdža, Karmena Struka, supported by liberos Kristīne Kramēna and Megija Grundmane.
After an even start with the score tied at 6:6, the home side, energised by their enthusiastic supporters, began to establish a slight advantage. Two aces served by Rīta and a successful attack from Ņečiporuka extended Latvia`s lead to 16:12, prompting Switzerland’s head coach, Pavlo Sanchez, to call for a timeout. A second timeout for the Swiss followed when Latvia advanced to 21:15, driven by a powerful attack from Jurdža. The opening set concluded with a decisive attack by Rīta, sealing it 25:17. This marked the first set loss for Switzerland throughout the entire tournament. Rīta was the leading scorer in this set, accumulating six points.
The second set commenced with a successful attack by Dolotova. An error from Switzerland put Latvia ahead 2:0, and this lead grew to 7:4 following an attack by Levinska. However, Switzerland responded strongly with a four-point run, taking their first lead of the match at 8:7 after a block by Alix de Micheli. A series of strong serves from Jūlija Lengweilere combined with attacks by Ņečiporuka allowed Switzerland to build their lead to 18:16, leading Latvia`s head coach, Daniele Mario Capriotti, to call a timeout. Another timeout was requested at 22:18. Switzerland ultimately won the set 25:21. Despite losing the set, Rīta and Ņečiporuka remained Latvia’s top scorers at that point, each with nine points.
In the third set, Switzerland again took an early lead, reaching 7:4 after another block from de Micheli. Latvia consistently narrowed the deficit but struggled to take the lead. After an attack by Eihler, Switzerland extended their advantage to 19:13. With a substitution bringing Katrīna Struka into the setter position, Latvia clawed back four points, tying the set at 23:23 with a successful attack from Struka, which forced another Swiss timeout. Elza Reknere also entered the match as a setter. Latvia earned the first of five set points at 25:24 due to a Swiss error, and finally secured the set 32:30 following a misjudged play by Madlaina Matter.
The fourth set proved to be unpredictable. Levinska scored the initial point, but Switzerland responded by taking the next three. Latvia then rallied to lead 8:5. The Swiss fought back to tie the score at 14:14 and eventually won the set 25:22 with a powerful attack from Lengweilere, pushing the match to a decisive fifth set.
In the crucial fifth set, Switzerland scored the first point. However, Latvia immediately took control, dominating the subsequent six rallies and building a commanding 12:4 lead after a spike from Jurdža. Katrīna Struka sealed the victory for Latvia with a final attack following a double substitution, winning the set 15:8 and the match 3-2.
Marta Kamēlija Levinska was the top scorer of the match, contributing an impressive 28 points. Anija Jurdža added 21 points, while Paula Nikola Ņečiporuka and Anna Rīta each scored 15 points, including three aces apiece. Rīta also recorded five blocks. Switzerland`s leading attacker, Jūlija Lengweilere, finished the match with 21 points.
Ana Rita
Latvia
Jūlije Lengweilere
Switzerland
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood