The Lithuanian football season is set to begin with a thrilling encounter this evening at 6 PM EET, as reigning A Lyga champions Žalgiris Vilnius take on last season’s LFF Cup winners FK Banga Gargždai in the LFF Super Cup. The match will be played at the Sportima indoor stadium, with both teams vying to claim the first trophy of the new campaign.
Žalgiris Vilnius: The champions seeking more glory
Žalgiris Vilnius enters this match as the undisputed kings of Lithuanian football, having dominated the A Lyga last season. Despite brief pressure from Hegelmann, Vladimir Cheburin’s side controlled the league and reclaimed their title with confidence. However, their European campaign was a major disappointment. Forced to start in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers after finishing second in 2023, they were eliminated early by Cypriot outfit Paphos FC, ending their international ambitions prematurely.
This season, Žalgiris has undergone significant squad changes. Standout performer Paulius Golubickas earned a move to Polish side Radomiak Radom, while key defender Joel Bopesu departed for Armenian champions FC Pyunik. Other notable exits include veteran Liviu Antal, who returned to Romania, and midfielder Giedrius Matulevičius, who opted to stay on at the club.
Despite these departures, the core of the team remains intact. Goalkeeper Árpád Tordai, full-back Joris Moutachy, and center-backs Younn Zahary and Yuriy Kendysh continue to form the backbone of the squad, alongside captain Ovidijus Verbickas. Žalgiris has been relatively quiet in the transfer market, but some intriguing names have joined, including the returning young attacking midfielder Gustas Jarusevičius, Portuguese left-back Bruno Tavares, and Comoros international forward Kassim Hadji. Additional reinforcements include Mohamed Youla, Dino Salcinovic from the Swedish third division, and Venezuelan goalkeeper Carlos Olses, who is expected to serve as the backup shot-stopper.
With the new season underway, Žalgiris’ ambitions remain high: securing another domestic title and making a stronger impact in European competitions. The ultimate goal, albeit a challenging one, is to reach the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
FK Banga Gargždai: The underdogs with big dreams
Banga Gargždai was one of the biggest surprises of last season, finishing a respectable fifth in the A Lyga and, most importantly, clinching the LFF Cup. Their cup triumph granted them a historic opportunity to compete in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, marking the club’s first-ever appearance in European competition.
However, success came at a cost, as several key players departed. Striker Valdas Paulauskas moved to FK Kauno Žalgiris, while both starting center-backs, Antonio Lara and Justinas Januševskij, left for Qatar and FK Panevėžys, respectively. Other significant losses include Cesinha, who made a surprising move to Pirma Lyga side FK Transinvest, and veteran Robertas Vėževičius, who retired but remains with the club as its sporting director.
Despite these exits, Banga has managed to retain some crucial figures, most notably goalkeeper Mantas Bertašius, who played a key role in their cup success and earned a call-up to the Lithuanian national team. His decision to stay for another season signals his ambition to lead Banga in their European campaign. Right-back Valdas Antužis and midfielder Matas Ramanauskas also extended their contracts, ensuring some stability within the squad.
The club has been active in the transfer market, securing reinforcements such as Lithuanian defender Deividas Malžinskas from Transinvest, Brazilian left-back Hugo Figueredo, and foreign wingers Aaron Olugbogi and Nouri El Harmazi. Additionally, they signed experienced A Lyga forward Rokas Filipavičius and Latvian midfielder Aivars Emsis from Sūduva Marijampolė.
Banga prepared for the season with a pre-season training camp in Cyprus, playing friendlies against international opponents, one of only two Lithuanian clubs to train abroad alongside FK Kauno Žalgiris. This contrast with Žalgiris, who remained in Lithuania for pre-season, could play a role in the teams’ fitness levels and tactical sharpness heading into this match.
What to expect from the LFF Super Cup final?
Although Žalgiris Vilnius is the stronger side on paper, FK Banga Gargždai has plenty of motivation to cause an upset. Recent Super Cup finals have been closely contested, with the last four editions being decided by penalties. Given that there is no extra time, a penalty shootout remains a strong possibility once again.
Expect Žalgiris to control possession, utilizing their experienced defensive line and midfield dominance, while Banga will likely play with high intensity, looking to exploit counter-attacks. If Bertašius has a standout performance in goal, Banga could push the match to a dramatic penalty shootout or even a victory after 90 minutes.
With both teams eager to start the season with silverware, this match promises to be a fascinating battle. Will Žalgiris assert their dominance once again, or can Banga continue their fairytale rise with a historic Super Cup victory? Lithuanian football fans won’t want to miss this opening spectacle of the 2025 season.
