title: 2005 Latvian Higher League
text: # 2005 Latvian Higher League
  
  The 2005 season in the Latvian Higher League, named Virslīga, was the 15th domestic football (soccer) competition since the Baltic nation gained independence from the Soviet Union on 6 September 1991. Eight teams competed in this edition, with FK Liepājas Metalurgs claiming the title.
  
  ## Final table
  
  | Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Liepājas Metalurgs (C) | 28 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 85 | 19 | +66 | 71 | Qualification for Champions League first qualifying round |
  | 2 | Skonto | 28 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 59 | 25 | +34 | 58 | Qualification for UEFA Cup first qualifying round |
  | 3 | Ventspils | 28 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 56 | 30 | +26 | 55 | Qualification for UEFA Cup first qualifying round |
  | 4 | Dinaburg | 28 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 37 | 43 | −6 | 35 | Qualification for Intertoto Cup first round |
  | 5 | Rīga | 28 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 32 | 46 | −14 | 34 | |
  | 6 | Jūrmala | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 37 | 38 | −1 | 32 | |
  | 7 | Olimps Rīga (R) | 28 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 24 | 68 | −44 | 19 | Qualification for relegation play-offs |
  | 8 | Venta (R) | 28 | 2 | 3 | 23 | 18 | 79 | −61 | 9 | Relegation to Latvian First League |
  
  ## Top scorers
  
  | Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Igors Sļesarčuks (LAT) | FK Venta / FK Ventspils | 18 |
  | 1 | Viktors Dobrecovs (LAT) | FK Liepājas Metalurgs | 18 |
  | 3 | Aleksandr Katasonov (RUS) | FK Liepājas Metalurgs | 17 |
  | 4 | Gatis Kalniņš (LAT) | Skonto FC | 15 |
  | 5 | Genādijs Soloņicins (LAT) | FK Liepājas Metalurgs | 13 |
  
  ## Awards
  
  | Best | Name | Team |
  | - | - | - |
  | Goalkeeper | Andrejs Piedels (LAT) | Skonto FC |
  | Defender | Dzintars Zirnis (LAT) | FK Liepājas Metalurgs |
  | Midfielder | Genādijs Soloņicins (LAT) | FK Liepājas Metalurgs |
  | Forward | Aleksandr Katasonov (RUS) | FK Liepājas Metalurgs |
  