By Titas Teiten
As we move beyond the halfway mark of the A Lyga season, it’s clear that this campaign has been anything but ordinary. With every team having played over 20 matches, league standings are beginning to take shape, some in line with early-season expectations, others defying all predictions. From surprise contenders to unexpected struggles, the season has delivered its fair share of twists.
Let’s take a closer look at the biggest shocks, standout performances, and which clubs are still in the hunt for the title and a shot at Lithuanian football glory.
The fall of a giant: Chaos at Žalgiris Vilnius
The biggest shock of this A Lyga season is something we haven’t witnessed in years. Longtime followers of the league, and especially of this club, are watching a collapse unlike anything they’ve seen in over a decade. The chaos shows no signs of slowing down. Of course, we’re talking about the capital’s pride, FK Žalgiris Vilnius.
Who would have imagined that a team boasting 11 A Lyga titles, 14 domestic cups, and 9 supercups, a team that cruised to the championship last season, would now find itself not only at risk of losing its grip on the title, but also teetering on the edge of missing out on European competition altogether?
Currently sitting in 5th place with just 31 points from 22 games, Lithuania’s most decorated club is far from even dreaming of reclaiming the championship in 2025. Their European campaign ended in disappointment – first falling to Maltese champions Hamrun Spartans in the Champions League first-round qualifiers, then failing to recover against Linfield FC of Northern Ireland, this time in the Conference League qualifiers.
To make matters worse, hopes of domestic silverware have also been dashed, with their cup run cut short by their Kaunas rivals. At this stage, Žalgiris Vilnius are left with little to fight for, and even less to inspire optimism among their supporters.
Tension at the top: Fans demand change
When it comes to the fans, their message is loud and clear: head coach Vladimir Cheburin and club president Vilma Venslovaitienė must step down. For many, enough is enough.
What was once a whispered rumor is now an open secret: the close personal relationship between the two has complicated matters at the top. With Vilma holding the highest position at the club, her attachment to Cheburin has made his position seemingly untouchable. Realistically, if not for that personal connection, Cheburin would have been out of his job weeks, if not months ago. But here we are.
Surprisingly, the first one to step down was Vilma Venslovaitienė. On Thursday evening, just before their match against Sūduva, FK Žalgiris announced that the club’s president would be leaving her post. She explained that remaining in the role had become impossible, given the growing anger and hostility directed at her by the fans.
So why was the frustration so squarely aimed at these two figures, Vladimir Cheburin and Vilma Venslovaitienė? It comes down to the club’s mismanagement and puzzling player recruitment ahead of the 2025 season. Calling it poor would be an understatement. The squad lacks cohesion, quality, and a clear sense of direction, issues rooted in the absence of professional structure.
The club has been operating without a sporting director, leaving critical decisions in the hands of a narrow leadership circle. Even more worrying, Žalgiris has also gone through the season without a dedicated fitness coach, an essential figure in modern football, especially in a campaign as grueling as this one.
Supporters, once the lifeblood of Žalgiris, are making their displeasure known. Protests, silent stands, and pointed banners have become a regular feature at home games. The mood in Vilnius is one of disillusionment, and for many, change at the top is the only way forward.
However, following Vilma Venslovaitienė’s resignation, Thursday’s narrow victory over Sūduva (1:0 ) was marked by the return of the PIETU IV fans. From the 70th minute until the final whistle, they reclaimed their usual spot and chanted as passionately as they once did. It felt like a signal to celebrate: the first sign that major changes are underway.
Now, all that remains is to see whether Vilma’s departure will be followed by Vladimir Cheburin’s exit.
From Cup glory to survival struggles: Banga’s disappointing year
Among the more minor disappointments this season, FK Banga certainly deserves a mention. After a strong 2024 campaign that saw them finish 5th in the A Lyga and, more notably, lift the Lithuanian Cup, expectations were understandably higher. However, the team has struggled to replicate that form. Currently sitting 8th in the table, just one spot above the relegation playoff zone, David Afonso’s side find themselves in a battle for survival rather than aiming for the top half.
Their brief foray into European football only added to the frustration. In what was both a predictable and deeply humbling Conference League campaign, Banga were swept aside by Norwegian side Rosenborg, losing 0-7 on aggregate over two legs. It’s been a sobering season for a club that seemed on the rise just a year ago.
Crisis at the bottom: Dainava and Riteriai on the brink
Rounding out the table, the two bottom clubs, currently 10th and 9th, are also worth mentioning, each for very different reasons. At the foot of the standings, DFK Dainava has been a major sporting disappointment. After showing signs of promise in the previous season, finishing fourth in the A lyga championship, their current campaign has fallen flat, with the team unable to find consistency or results.
Just above them, FK Riteriai’s struggles extend far beyond the pitch. The Vilnius-based club has been grappling with serious financial issues and was, at one point, on the verge of bankruptcy. Only a last-minute intervention, with financial support from the Lithuanian Football Federation and the A Lyga, kept the club afloat. While that lifeline has ensured their continued participation for now, Riteriai’s long-term future remains uncertain, both financially and competitively.
A new force emerges: Žalgiris Kaunas leads the pack
While some clubs continue to struggle, others are soaring, and none more impressively than Žalgiris Kaunas. This season, the Kaunas-based side has emerged as a genuine powerhouse, finally living up to the potential they’ve shown in recent years.
Long considered one of the stronger teams in the country, they had never quite broken through to the very top. But under the guidance of head coach Eivinas Černiauskas and club president Mantas Kalnietis, himself a former Lithuanian basketball star, 2025 is shaping up to be their breakthrough year.
In stark contrast to the chaos in Vilnius, Žalgiris Kaunas has excelled in squad building. Their recruitment strategy has been close to flawless: a balanced mix of promising young Lithuanian talent and seasoned foreign players, many of whom have either proven themselves in the A Lyga or arrived with strong pedigrees from abroad.
The results speak for themselves. Žalgiris Kaunas currently lead the A Lyga with 49 points from 21 matches. They also remain in contention for the domestic cup and, most impressively, have advanced to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. With smart management, a clear vision, and momentum on their side, Kaunas is not just dreaming big. They’re beginning to make those dreams a reality.
Consistency and comebacks: Hegelmann and Sūduva surging
Two other teams having standout seasons are FC Hegelmann and FK Sūduva Marijampolė.
As was the case last year, the Kaunas district side, led by Andrius Skerla, who has been at the helm since early 2021, continues to show impressive consistency and looks well on track for a spot in the league’s top three. Currently sitting second in the table and just six points behind league leaders Žalgiris Kaunas, Hegelmann still has the potential to make a major impact not only in the A Lyga, but also in the national cup, where they remain among the leading contenders to lift the trophy at season’s end.
If they can shore up their defense and reduce the number of goals conceded, Skerla’s squad might just make some real noise in Lithuanian football.
As for Sūduva, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that their current third-place standing in the league has come as a surprise. While the club enjoyed a golden era in the late 2010s, winning multiple national titles and reaching the later stages of European qualifiers, last season told a very different story.
Had it not been for a crucial penalty shootout win against Jonava’s BE1, the legendary Lithuanian side might have found themselves relegated to the second division this year. Instead, under the leadership of Tautvydas Vencevičius, Sūduva have turned things around and are now soaring. Sitting third in the A Lyga, they’re firmly in the hunt for a return to European competition next season.
What’s next? The second half holds all the answers
With all that in mind, plenty of questions hang over the remainder of the 2025 A Lyga season. After Vilma’s departure, will Vladimir Cheburin finally heed the growing calls from fans and part ways with Žalgiris Vilnius? Can Žalgiris Kaunas take the final step toward becoming a true powerhouse in Lithuanian football by securing their first domestic title? Is Sūduva’s resurgence the real deal and a genuine return to the glory days of the late 2010s? And what lies ahead for Riteriai? What are the odds they can stabilize and survive?
Only time will tell. One thing is certain: the A Lyga has delivered plenty of drama already this year, and with the second half of the season just underway, the excitement is far from over. It’s a campaign well worth following: every matchday brings new twists, new hopes, and perhaps, new heroes.
