Champions in crisis: Žalgiris sink further with sixth winless match

The marquee clash of the 17th round in the TOPsport A Lyga saw reigning champions FK Žalgiris sink deeper into their slump, suffering a 0–1 home defeat to title contenders FC Hegelmann. This marks Žalgiris’ sixth consecutive league match without a win.

Žalgiris, led by coach Vladimir Cheburin, had drawn their last four league games and sat in an unusually low eighth place with just 19 points ahead of the match. On the other hand, Hegelmann, currently second in the table, arrived in Vilnius aiming to bounce back from their recent Kaunas derby defeat to FK Kauno Žalgiris.

With the Lithuanian transfer window opening four days ago, Žalgiris have already been among the most active sides, looking to bolster their squad ahead of their upcoming UEFA Champions League qualifiers in two weeks, where they’ll face Maltese champions Hamrun Spartans. Of their three summer signings, two were already in the starting lineup: Romanian striker Liviu Antal, returning to the club for the third time, and Croatian defender Luka Dumančić, who recently completed the season in Slovenia’s top division. The biggest surprise in the lineup was the inclusion of 19-year-old Kevin Lukaševič, making his first start in A Lyga after debuting as a substitute against FK Sūduva in the previous round.

Meanwhile, FC Hegelmann, under head coach Andrius Skerla, made two changes to their side: Romanian midfielder Patrick Popescu returned to the starting XI, and Dutch defender Jonathan Mulder started for the first time in three matches.

Žalgiris came out strong, dominating early possession and threatening in the opening minutes. A dangerous cross from Moutachy from the right couldn’t find a target, and a long-range effort from defender Ebenezer Ofori forced a difficult save from Hegelmann goalkeeper Tomas Šarkauskas. Žalgiris also looked menacing on set pieces—Nemanja Mihajlović connected with a powerful header from a Moutachy corner, but Šarkauskas was alert again. All this unfolded within the first 10 minutes.

Hegelmann soon responded with a dangerous counter. Carlos Duke found space on the left and forced a save from his former Valmiera teammate Carlos Olses. The rebound fell to Patrick Popescu, but his follow-up soared well over the bar.

Žalgiris kept pushing and looked destined to score. A blistering 25-meter strike from Bruno Tavares was parried away by Šarkauskas, and their best chance came in the 23rd minute. A well-placed cross from the left found Giedrius Matulevičius at the far post, who headed the ball across goal to Liviu Antal, but the Romanian’s close-range shot was brilliantly stopped by Šarkauskas, somehow keeping the scoreline at 0–0.

The momentum ebbed and flowed—after Žalgiris’ flurry, Hegelmann grew into the game. Olses had to intervene several times, first stopping a Leo Ribeiro effort and then saving a powerful header from Njoya following a set piece.

The thrilling first half culminated in a goal just before the break. In the 45th minute, Carlos Duke delivered a cross from the left, which was partially cleared by Bruno Tavares—but the ball fell perfectly to Klaudijus Upstas outside the box. He surged past two Žalgiris defenders and placed a low shot into the far corner, beating Olses and giving Hegelmann a 1–0 lead.

In the second half, the expected pressure from Žalgiris never truly materialized. Instead, Hegelmann nearly doubled their lead on two occasions. Leo Ribeiro had the best chance, lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper, but missing the target. Žalgiris did have one golden opportunity to equalize—Yury Kendysh broke into the box and shot with his left, but lacked power, allowing Šarkauskas to make a relatively comfortable save.

Hegelmann, who haven’t lost an away match to Žalgiris in nearly two years, held firm to secure the win—continuing the Vilnius side’s miserable title defense.

The blue-and-whites (Hegelmann) remain second with 34 points, while Žalgiris, stuck at 19 points, languish in eighth place.

FK Žalgiris vs FC Hegelmann – 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Upstas 45′
ŽAL: Olses, Moutachy, Basila, Dumančic, Tavares, Ofori, Verbickas (Šetkus 56′), Mihajlovic (Hadji 46′ Chol 64′), Lukaševic (Matyzonok 59′), Matulevičius, Antal (Kendysh 59′)
HEG: Šarkauskas, Duke, Djoric, Armalas, Mulder, Kojic, Popescu (Kazlauskas 72′), Antanavičius, Upstas (Shchedryi 72′), Njoya (Yusuf 72′), Ribeiro (Kaušinis 84′)

A Lyga Matchday 17 games:

• 24.06.2025 – FK Kauno Žalgiris vs FK Paņevežys – 3:0
• 24.06.2025 – FK Žalgiris vs FC Hegelmann– 0:1
• 24.06.2025 – DFK Dainava Alytus vs FK Banga Gargždai – 2:1
• 25.06.2025 – FC Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Riteriai – 19:00
• 25.06.2025 – FA Šiauliai vs FK Sūduva – 19:00