FK Banga Gargždai made history in style, securing their first-ever Lithuanian Cup in a dramatic final against FC Hegelmann, ultimately prevailing 4-1 on penalties.
Played in Kaunas at the Dariaus ir Girėno stadionas in front of 5000 fans, this year’s Cup final was destined to be a historic one from the starting whistle. Neither Banga nor Hegelmann had ever lifted the trophy mostly dominated by the likes of FK Žalgiris before.
Hegelmann started the game looking like they were the better side, keeping possession and attacking throughout most of the first half. Popescu, Ribeiro and Bosnjak all had excellent chances to open the score, but failed to find the back of the net. Banga answered with a shot by Cesinha just before the half-time whistle, but Brazinskas made a confident save.
The same dynamic continued into the second half, but neither team managed to make headway, so the game went to extra time and, for the first time since 2012, to penalties. There, Banga prevailed, scoring all of their penalties, while disheartened Hegelmann only got one.
Banga’s manager, David Afonso, who will now have a chance to take Banga to Europe next season, had this to say in his post-match commentary:
Since the first match, we had a small dream, which we called the road to the final. We all did everything together to make that dream as big as possible, we made the whole city live that dream, and it’s very good that we were able to fulfill it. Now we need to celebrate.
Source: https://m.kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/sportas/futbolas/lff-taures-finale-bangos-triumfas-1193640