Hertha Berlin v FK Ventspils

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 by PA

Hertha Berlin are hoping Thursday's Europa League clash with Latvian champions FK Ventspils will kick-start their season.

Hertha have had a nightmare start to the Bundesliga campaign, winning their first match but losing the next four.

They finished fourth last year but are currently next to bottom of the table.

Hertha are targeting success in Europe and are looking for victory in the Group D clash at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Thursday evening.

General manager Michael Preetz stressed the importance of the match and that he is aiming to still be playing in the competition in 2010.

He told Hertha's official website: "We want to come through the group stages and still be playing in Europe next year, so a win against Ventspils is very important."

Hertha will be without midfielder Florian Kringe. The 27-year-old, who is on a one-year loan deal from Borussia Dortmund, sustained a foot injury during the 2-1 defeat at Mainz. Scans have revealed a broken bone in his foot.

Ventspils lost to Zurich over two legs in the Champions League play-offs, but by taking place in the Europa League have become the first Latvian side to play in the group stages of a major UEFA club competition.

They will be without first-team regulars Vits Rimkus and Deniss Kacanovs, both suspended due to an internal matter.

Currently second in their domestic league, Ventspils were only formed in 1997.

Despite the Latvian side flying high in their league and Hertha struggling domestically, the German team are firm favourites to get their Europa League campaign off to a winning start.