By Titas Teiten
As FK Žalgiris Kaunas begin their European campaign, attention also turns to Lithuania’s other Žalgiris – the historic club from the capital, Vilnius. One of the country’s most decorated football institutions, FK Žalgiris Vilnius has built a reputation not only in Lithuania but across the Baltic region. Like their counterparts from Kaunas, however, they have endured a difficult domestic campaign. European competition now offers a welcome opportunity to put league struggles aside, with continental football capable of reshaping the narrative of an entire season.
With 11 Lithuanian league titles, 14 domestic cups and nine Super Cups, FK Žalgiris is the most successful club in Lithuanian football history. Yet past achievements offer no guarantees in the present. The club has endured a turbulent period, with performances falling well below expectations. A remarkable finish to last season ultimately secured a third-place league finish and, with it, qualification for this season’s UEFA Conference League.
Off the pitch, however, the club has undergone significant transformation. Under a new board and the presidency of Andrius Tapinas, FK Žalgiris has enjoyed a renewed sense of momentum. Average home attendances have risen to nearly 3,000 spectators per match – an impressive figure by TOPLYGA standards. Matchday facilities have also improved considerably, with an upgraded VIP section, new LED advertising boards and a larger stadium screen enhancing the overall fan experience.
There is also growing optimism surrounding the long-awaited National Stadium project in Vilnius. Once completed, the 18,000-seat venue is expected to become Lithuania’s largest football stadium and is currently scheduled to open in 2027.
On the pitch, inconsistency has defined Žalgiris’ 2025 campaign. A disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Hegelmann on 24 May appeared to plunge the club into crisis, only for a three-match winning streak to restore confidence and suggest the team had finally found its rhythm. Yet another heavy defeat, a 3-0 loss to Banga Gargždai on 20 July, once again exposed the side’s unpredictability. After 19 league matches, Žalgiris sit fifth in the TOPLYGA with 28 points, although the remarkably tight standings leave them just two points behind the league leaders.
Their European journey begins against Montenegro’s FK Petrovac in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. Petrovac finished third in the Montenegrin top flight last season and have yet to begin their new domestic campaign. On paper, the tie represents a manageable challenge for Žalgiris, and qualification for the second round will be the clear objective. However, given the team’s inconsistent form throughout the season, predicting the outcome remains far from straightforward.
Ahead of the European campaign, FK Žalgiris midfielder Deividas Šešplaukis spoke to Baltic Football News about the club’s difficult season, the significant changes taking place behind the scenes, and the importance of the upcoming European fixtures, which could ultimately define their year.
This season you’ve often been deployed at left-back, even though you’ve primarily played as a winger or midfielder in the past. How do you see your versatility? Has playing at full-back become a genuine alternative for you?
I’ll start with a bit of background from my time at Kauno Žalgiris. My natural position has always been as an attacking winger, but our coach at the time, Mindaugas Čepas, made the decision to move me deeper. Egidijus Vaitkūnas, who was our regular left-back, got injured, and the coach told me I’d have to fill in there. Of course, I never said I didn’t want to or couldn’t play in that role. That’s really where my evolution as a player began.
Neither of my feet is exceptionally strong, but I’m comfortable using both, which gives me flexibility. I think my versatility is something that helps the coaches. It’s beneficial for them, and it’s good for me as well. I feel comfortable playing both in defence and in midfield. Naturally, I’d prefer to play in midfield, but football is about adapting to the team’s needs, and sometimes that means playing wherever you’re needed.
Last season at Šiauliai wasn’t an easy one for you, with injuries and other challenges. How would you assess your individual season at Žalgiris so far? Do you feel you’ve reached the level you expected from yourself?
I definitely think I can do better. Whenever you have ambitions, you’re never fully satisfied. You always feel there’s another level to reach, even when things seem to be going well. The most important thing is that I’m healthy now. At Šiauliai I struggled with injuries for quite a while, and I also had some personal issues off the pitch. I wasn’t feeling like myself. There are still areas where I can improve, and I’m very self-critical. I’ll never say I’m a great player because there’s always room to get better. Ultimately, you have to prove yourself on the pitch, not with words.
What do you think has been behind Žalgiris’ inconsistency this season? Has it mainly been about performances on the pitch, or have other factors also played a role?
Žalgiris is a historic club with the highest ambitions. This is a club that wants to dominate every match. Five or ten years ago, Žalgiris was winning titles year after year and clearly stood above everyone else. But football has changed. The Žalgiris of today isn’t the Žalgiris of the past. The entire league has improved. Other clubs have become stronger, their budgets have grown, and the overall standard is much higher. Nowadays, if you allow a team that’s considered weaker on paper to believe they can compete, they’ll make life very difficult for you.
Opponents now play with much more confidence because they see that Žalgiris is no longer untouchable. There’s no doubt we have talented individuals, but perhaps we haven’t managed to function as a team as well as we’d like. That inconsistency isn’t something we’re happy with. I can honestly say everyone works extremely hard in training, and the commitment is there every day. It’s been a difficult season, but that’s football. We have to accept where we are and keep moving forward. Nothing has been lost yet, and I truly believe we can bring Žalgiris back to where it belongs.
Did you expect the start of the season to be this difficult, or were you convinced things would go more smoothly?
I never prepare for a bad season. Every year I expect the best from myself and from the team. I always try to give everything I have. But once the season starts, reality sometimes hits. You realize mistakes have been made, or perhaps we simply haven’t done enough ourselves. You can see it on the pitch: miscommunication, moments where we don’t understand each other as well as we should. That’s part of the process when a team is developing. There’s no point dwelling on previous seasons or even the first half of this one. Our focus has to be on finishing this season as strongly as possible.
Several new players have joined the squad recently. How do you assess their integration? Can they become key players in the upcoming European matches?
The new players have competed at a high level in countries like Switzerland, Ukraine and Israel. I believe they’ll make us stronger and increase the competition within the squad, which is something we probably needed. I’m confident they’ll help us a lot. The biggest thing is staying healthy throughout the season.
Last year, Žalgiris was struggling badly and was sitting in eighth place at one stage, but still managed to finish third. Football is played until the very last match, and that’s exactly what the coach keeps reminding us. There’s no point focusing on where we are today. Our job is simply to make sure we’re better in the next game. You can’t change what’s already happened, you can only influence what’s still ahead.
Since the club’s change in ownership, there’s been a lot of talk about improvements off the pitch, from the stadium to attracting more supporters. Do you notice those changes as a player?
Absolutely. You can see it on matchdays because more people are coming to the stadium. The work the new management has done with marketing has been excellent. They deserve a lot of credit because when they promise something, they deliver.
In the past, big crowds usually only came for European matches. Now we’re seeing over 2,000 spectators on average even in TOPLYGA games. That’s hugely motivating for us as players. Football is much more enjoyable when you’re playing in front of a passionate crowd rather than in an empty stadium. The new management deserves a lot of praise for creating that atmosphere. Hopefully they’ll continue doing their part, while we repay the supporters with good performances on the pitch.
The UEFA Conference League first qualifying round has paired Žalgiris with Petrovac from Montenegro. What do you know about the opponent, and how do you assess the tie?
Whoever the opponent is, the approach has to stay the same. We need to go onto the pitch, fight for every ball and show the best version of ourselves. Everyone looks forward to European football. Every player dreams of competing in these tournaments. Some never get the opportunity, so for us it’s a privilege and one we have to make the most of.
European matches can change a player’s career. One good performance might open the door to a move abroad or to a bigger club. As for Petrovac, we’ll analyse them thoroughly. I’m sure the coaching staff will prepare everything in detail, and then it’s up to us to identify their weaknesses and exploit them.
You’ve already gained some experience in European competitions. Do you think that experience gives you an advantage, or does every European campaign feel like starting from scratch?
I’ve played in Europe with both Kauno Žalgiris and Šiauliai. Every campaign is different. In all of those matches we were considered underdogs. Now I have more experience, and I’ve also played international football with the national team. That changes your mindset. You become calmer, more focused, and even more determined to prove yourself. I wouldn’t say I have vast European experience, but whatever experience I do have is certainly better than having none.
Žalgiris begins its European campaign in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. What would you consider a realistic and successful run?
Personally, I believe we have to get through the first round. It certainly won’t be easy, but I don’t spend time thinking about elimination. If we managed to reach the third qualifying round by winning two ties, I’d consider that a very good achievement. I don’t know what objectives the club’s management has set, but for me that would already be a successful campaign.
Of course, we’d all love to recreate the great European runs Žalgiris enjoyed in the past. Back then, though, the club entered through the Champions League qualifiers. Still, football is full of surprises, so anything is possible.
Finally, what message would you like to send to the fans ahead of the start of the European campaign?
My message is simple: come to the stadium and support us. Whatever happens on the pitch, I promise the supporters will see a team that fights for every ball and gives everything it has. Their backing means a great deal to us and gives us extra motivation. We want to use that atmosphere to achieve something special together and celebrate important victories with our fans.
