Vincentas Šarkauskas says he is at his best when the pressure is highest, as the Žalgiris goalkeeper looks to turn a childhood ambition into silverware in Vilnius.
The 26-year-old joined the Lithuanian champions before this season and has set his sights on winning the Toplyga title to add to the medals he collected elsewhere. “I have silver and bronze. I really want to become champion – and to do it with Žalgiris,” he said, having finished second twice with Hegelmann (2024 and 2025) and third twice with Riteriai (2018 and 2019).
Šarkauskas’ most recent action came on 31st of May at the Darius and Girėnas Stadium, when Žalgiris unexpectedly beat Kauno Žalgiris 1-0. He impressed on his return to the starting line-up after more than a month out, aiding a reversal of the first Žalgiris derby back on 5th of April in Vilnius, when the home side lost 3-0 in what proved to be Šarkauskas’ official first start for the club.
He credited a training camp in Druskininkai with helping the squad reset after a difficult spell, pointing to the benefits of time together away from football. “We were together, we talked things through… it helped and we really needed it,” he said, adding that the camp strengthened relationships within the group. Šarkauskas also spoke about setbacks earlier in his career, including injuries at Hegelmann, and said he has worked with sports psychologists at both his previous and current clubs. He believes the support is crucial for focus and confidence, dismissing the notion that it is a sign of weakness.
Sport runs through his family. His father Saulius Šarkauskas, a multiple Lithuanian cycling champion, competed at the 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney Olympics and raced professionally in Portugal. His mother Asta Šarkauskienė, a former athlete, is president of the Lithuanian Olympic Academy and a Professor at Klaipėda University.
Žalgiris’ next match is a Toplyga Vilnius derby against Riteriai on Friday, 12th of June at 20:00 local time.
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Source: https://fkzalgiris.lt/sarkauskasinterviu2606/
