The TOPsport A Lyga has announced the standout players of the 2024 league season, recognizing the Team of the Year. Six players from Vilnius Žalgiris received honors, while two players from Hegelmann and one from each DFK Dainava Alytus, FA Šiauliai, and the relegated side FK TransINVEST were also named in the team.
In goal, Arpad Torpai, a 27-year-old Romanian goalkeeper, had an impressive debut season with Vilnius Žalgiris. He made 34 appearances, conceded only 29 goals, and kept 15 clean sheets, establishing himself as one of the league’s top keepers.
At right-back, Klaudijius Upštas, the 30-year-old captain of Hegelmann, proved to be a key figure in defense and attack. Upštas scored three goals and provided four assists in 34 matches, combining leadership with solid defensive work.
The center-back pairing consisted of Younn Zahary, a 26-year-old Comoros international from Vilnius Žalgiris, and Steve Kingue, a 24-year-old Cameroonian defender for Hegelmann. Zahary showcased a solid defensive presence and an ability to read the game, while Kingue contributed four goals in 34 appearances.
At left-back, Joel Bopesu, the 29-year-old Frenchman, enjoyed a career-best season with Vilnius Žalgiris, scoring seven goals and providing 14 assists in 35 league games. His attacking contributions from the left flank were crucial to Žalgiris’s success.
In midfield, a trio of players made their mark: Giedrius Matulevičius (27) and Paulius Golubickas (25), both from Vilnius Žalgiris and Ode Abdullahi (22) from DFK Dainava Alytus. Matulevičius impressed in his first season at Žalgiris, scoring 11 goals and making six assists in 35 appearances. Golubickas, in his second season with Žalgiris, doubled his output with eight goals and 14 assists in 33 matches. Abdullahi, a defensive midfielder for Dainava, was recognized as the league’s iron man, playing every minute of the season and earning praise for his consistency and tireless work in midfield.
Up front, the three leading goal-scorers of the season secured their places on the team. Henrique Devens, a Brazilian forward for FK TransINVEST, scored 16 goals and provided two assists in 34 matches, contributing to over 50% of his team’s goals despite their last-place finish. Dāvis Ikaunieks, a 30-year-old Latvian forward for FA Šiauliai, netted 18 goals in his first season with the club, showcasing clinical finishing and consistent attacking play. Finally, Liviu Antal, the experienced winger for Vilnius Žalgiris, won the A Lyga Golden Boot with 20 goals, marking his first 20-goal season since 2018 and solidifying his status as one of the league’s top players.
Source: TOPsport A Lyga Instagram page.
