by Mantas Aliukonis
When Valdas Antužis stepped up to take what would become the decisive penalty in the 2024 Lithuanian Cup final, few outside Gargždai knew his name. Fewer still would have guessed that this quiet, hard-working defender — who had never scored a professional goal — was about to deliver the strike that would write a new chapter in his club’s history. But in Kaunas last September evening, as the ball hit the back of the net and the stands erupted in celebration, the 25-year-old local cemented his place in the hearts of Banga supporters — and in the footballing folklore of his hometown.
A Late Start, A Relentless Work Ethic
Antužis’ journey to the top tier of Lithuanian football didn’t follow the usual script. Unlike many players who start kicking a ball almost as soon as they can walk, he only began playing seriously at the age of ten. It all began with a school futsal tournament in third grade.
“That was the first time I really came into contact with football,” he recalls. “After that, I asked my parents to let me play regularly. I was always full of energy — I couldn’t sit still.”
That energy, along with his growing love for the game, carried him to Kaunas, where he joined the National Football Academy (NFA). Recommended by his local coach Aurimas Šlušnys, Antužis was among a handful of youngsters selected through national try-outs to join the elite youth setup.
“Coach Šlušnys recommended me and a few others. That’s how we ended up at the NFA,” he says. “When I was called up to the U17 national team, it came as a surprise. It felt great to be recognised, though back then the national youth squads were mostly built around NFA players.”
Despite the milestone, Antužis remained grounded. He knew he was playing catch-up.
“I didn’t start playing at five or six like a lot of kids,” he admits. “So my path was never the easiest. I was quiet, but I worked hard. I ran a lot — and that’s something coaches always value.”
Stepping Into the Men’s Game
That quiet determination continued to shape his career as he transitioned from academy life to senior football. Returning home to Gargždai at 17, Antužis joined the Banga senior team, then competing in the Pirma lyga (second tier), with his old mentor Šlušnys once again playing a guiding role on the coaching staff.
“That first season was all about adaptation. It was a different level, different conditions. But I managed to prove myself, and the next season, they offered me my first contract,” he says.
Since then, Antužis has quietly risen through the club’s internal ranks. Today, he wears the armband as one of the team’s vice-captains and is known for his consistency, discipline, and commitment — traits his teammates don’t take for granted.
“He’s responsible, maybe even underappreciated,” says team captain Robertas Vėževičius. “Every year, he improves. He’s climbed through every level of the ‘Banga’ system and become a crucial part of the team. His penalty in the final — that was the defining moment. Probably the most important goal of his career.”
While Antužis has made the most of every opportunity, he’s quick to acknowledge the peers he came up with — some of whom, he says, had more natural talent but didn’t stick with the game.
“There were plenty of players more gifted than me — more technical, better in a lot of areas — but they chose different paths,” he reflects.
He mentions several standout names from his generation: K. Kažukolovas, M. Vareika, M. Ramanauskas, B. Šatkus, D. Zubauskas, and E. Utkus.
Between Boots and Barns: The Life Beyond Football
Despite his growing profile on the pitch, Antužis’ roots remain firmly in rural Žemaitija, where his family still runs a working farm. But while football is now his full-time profession, the rhythms of countryside life remain familiar — even if he’s not the one driving the tractor.
“I don’t really get involved in the serious farm work,” he admits with a smile. “My brother and cousin do most of it. Of course, there’s always something to help with in the summer — I mow the grass or help pick fruit. But nothing major.”
When asked if he knows how to operate any heavy machinery, he laughs:
“No, that’s more their area. I stick to football.”
Penalty That Changed Everything
In a final that went all the way to a penalty shootout and, eventually, secured Banga’s tie against Norwegian giants Rosenborg later this week, few would have picked Antužis as the man to seal it. But when his turn came, the defender didn’t flinch.
“I tried not to look around or overthink it. I just focused on striking the ball,” he recalls. “At first, I didn’t even realise it had gone in. Then I saw my teammates running at me, celebrating — that’s when it really hit me. It was a huge relief. Pure euphoria.”
Though he wasn’t originally expected to take the last kick, Antužis stepped up when it mattered most.
“The coach had a list, and I told him I was ready. That’s how I ended up as the fourth taker — and it turned out to be the winning one,” he says.
“I’d been hitting penalties cleanly in training, so I had the confidence.”
It was a moment that transformed his career — from unsung workhorse to match-winner.
Eyes on the Future, Feet on the Ground
With his star on the rise, Antužis remains focused on what lies ahead. His goals are ambitious, but his approach remains grounded in hard work and patience.
“Every footballer dreams of playing for the national team,” he says. “At the club level, I just want to keep improving step by step.”
When asked about role models, his admiration is clear.
“I’ve always liked Marcelo, but coach Mandinho once said I play more like Philipp Lahm — that meant a lot. Lahm was one of my footballing ideals, especially as a full-back.”
And as for life off the pitch?
“I’m single,” he says with a grin, before quickly adding, “but we still have work to do. The team needs to stay focused. We want to finish the season with dignity. The celebrations can wait until the end.”
From the family fields of Žemaitija to the pressure of a national cup final, Valdas Antužis has shown that success doesn’t always come early — but it does come to those who work for it. His story isn’t just about one goal. It’s about persistence, humility, and knowing exactly when to take your shot.
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