Latvia? Latveria? Lithuania? Whatever.

If you thought the God-awful yelping delivered by Destiny’s Child Kelly Rowland to patriotic Americans last night was insulting, then consider the treatment given by the Czech Republic to their opponents on Tuesday.

When they arrived at the Stadion Eden, the visitors were treated to a proud display of Latvian flags, and a triumphant version of the Latvian national anthem ‘Dievs, svētī Latviju!’ (‘God bless Latvia!’). The welcome would have been enough to bring tears to the eyes of the nation’s most famous resident, medical professional Dr Doom.

All was fine and dandy, except for the fact that the Latvian squad were sitting at home in their tiny Baltic nationdiscussing flat tax rates and commy politics. The opponents were actually their Balkan neighbours Lithuania. Cue joblessness:

[Cezch Republic] Federation spokesman Vaclav Tichy took responsibility and resigned from his post. His deputy was fired and another federation official fined, the statement said.

To top off the culturally-offensive insult, the Czechs won 2-0 with a brace from Jan Koller.

[The Beautiful Game]