Kurtsev scores on his birthday to seal Žemaitija derby win for Džiugas

26 September 2025 23:17
1 min read
Oleksandr Kurtsev. Image credit to FC Džiugas Telšiai

The rescheduled TOPsport A Lyga’s 34th round kicked off with the Žemaitija derby, where FC Džiugas Telšiai edged past FK Banga Gargždai 1-0 after a tight contest.

Both sides traded blows in the opening half, with Banga threatening through Aaron Olugboga and Vaidas Magdušauskas, while Sherwin Seedorf also tested the visitors. Džiugas keeper Marius Paukštė stood firm to keep it goalless at the break.

Soon after halftime, Banga squandered their best opportunity – Magdušauskas forced a save, but Aivars Emsis struck the rebound straight at Paukštė.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 77th minute. Mantas Bertašius initially stopped Miroslav Puškarov’s shot, yet Oleksandr Kurtsev, on his 23rd birthday, pounced on the loose ball to tap in from close range for his 10th goal of the season.

Despite late pressure from Banga, including a Seedorf effort and Sidas Praleika’s attempt cleared off the line, the visitors held on for a precious victory.

The result keeps Banga sixth on 41 points, while Džiugas climb to eighth with 32.

FK Banga Gargždai vs FC Džiugas Telšiai – 0:1
Goals: Kurtsev 77′

A Lyga Matchday 34:

26.09.2025 – FK Banga Gargždai vs FC Džiugas Telšiai – 0:1
27.09.2025 – FA Šiauliai vs FK Riteriai – 16:00
29.09.2025 – FK Sūduva vs FK Žalgiris – 19:00
01.10.2025 – FC Hegelmann vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 19:00
01.10.2025 – FK Paņevežys vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 19:00

# Club GP W D L GD Pts
1 Kauno Žalgiris 35 22 8 5 41 74
2 Hegelmann FC 35 20 4 11 12 64
3 FK Žalgiris 35 17 11 7 15 62
4 FK Sūduva 35 15 14 6 13 59
5 FA Šiauliai 35 14 9 12 6 51
6 FK Panevėžys 35 13 7 15 5 46
7 FC Džiugas Telšiai 35 13 6 16 -8 45
8 FK Banga Gargždai 35 11 8 16 2 41
9 FK Riteriai 35 6 7 22 -37 25
10 DFK Dainava Alytus 35 3 8 24 -49 17

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