Country |
Estonia Latvia Lithuania |
---|---|
Founded | 2007 |
Folded | 2011 |
Number of teams | 12 (2007–2008) 16 (2009–2011) |
Last champions |
Skonto (2010–11) |
Most championships |
Metalurgs Kaunas Ventspils Skonto (1 title) |
TV partners | Viasat Sport Baltic |
The Baltic League (officially known as the Triobet Baltic League) was a Baltic football club tournament held four times between the top club sides from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Launched in 2007 inspired by the now defunct Scandinavian tournament Royal League and by the Baltic Basketball League.
The first two tournaments were held between top four club sides from each country. 2009–10 the competition was expanded to 16 teams, with five sides from every Baltic state taking part. One additional slot was allocated to the sixth best team from the country of the previous winner.
A similar competition was the Baltic Champions Cup which features the league champions of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The inaugural tournament in 2007 finished as a two legged final. This format was abandoned for the second tournament and since then all finals have been played as a single match at the home of one of the finalists. Since this format was introduced, the team hosting the match has yet to win despite the added home advantage.
The first two tournaments were played from Spring to Summer with 12 entrants but this has now changed to a longer Winter to Summer tournament with four more clubs taking part.
As of May 12, 2010.