By Titas Teiten
Two clubs share the name Žalgiris, yet represent different Lithuanian cities, Vilnius and Kaunas, whose rivalry has long been one of the defining storylines in Lithuanian sport. Over the past few days, however, FK Kauno Žalgiris and FK Žalgiris Vilnius have united the country through achievements that only a handful of clubs, if any, have managed in Lithuanian football history.
Within just 24 hours, both sides produced unforgettable European nights. On July 29, FK Kauno Žalgiris secured a historic 1-0 victory over Faroe Islands champions KI Klaksvík, while a day later FK Žalgiris Vilnius completed one of the greatest comebacks ever seen in Baltic football, overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit by demolishing Dinamo Tbilisi 7-2.
Both victories meant far more than simply progressing to the next round.
An achievement witnessed only once before
Kauno Žalgiris’ triumph in Jonava ensured something exceptionally rare: a Lithuanian club will once again compete in the league phase of a UEFA competition. Until now, only one team had ever achieved that feat – FK Žalgiris Vilnius, whose remarkable 2022 campaign ended with qualification for the UEFA Conference League group stage.
The road to history, however, was anything but straightforward.
After a 1-1 draw against Kosovo champions Drita in the first leg at Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Kauno Žalgiris looked to be facing an early Champions League exit. Instead, Željko Sopić’s side produced a dramatic comeback in Kosovo, scoring in the 82nd and 94th minutes to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory and book a second-round meeting with KI Klaksvík.
The first leg in the Faroe Islands proved to be a real test. Kauno Žalgiris failed to register a single shot on target, while Klaksvík managed seven. Despite the pressure, the Lithuanian champions returned home with a valuable 0-0 draw – a result that felt like a small victory in itself.
The difficult weather conditions, combined with Klaksvík’s unusually small pitch, created a challenging environment for the visitors. Back on Lithuanian soil, however, the circumstances were very different.
Jonava became the stage for history
Ironically, Jonava was never supposed to host this match.
With a Pitbull concert occupying Darius and Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas, Kauno Žalgiris were once again forced to relocate a European fixture. The same situation occurred last season, when the club played its Conference League qualifier against Penybont in Jonava while Guns N’ Roses performed in Kaunas.
It is a reality that continues to frustrate many within Lithuanian football. Despite criticism from head coach Željko Sopić, disappointment among supporters, and concerns raised by journalists, large-scale concerts remain financially more attractive than football matches. At least for now.
Yet none of that prevented Kauno Žalgiris from delivering when it mattered most. Unlike the first leg, Klaksvík were unable to dominate away from home, while a packed Jonava Stadium created an atmosphere that helped push the hosts towards a memorable victory. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 85th minute.
“My dad always used to tell me that when you’re 16 metres from goal, defenders won’t touch you because they’re afraid of you. My mom also told me not to be afraid and to play my own game, so that’s what I did. Everyone probably thought I was going to shoot towards the far corner, but it turned out to be an amazing goal. Celebrating with the fans afterwards was unforgettable. I’m so happy.”
Those were the words of Leon Kreković, whose stunning strike secured the most important victory in the club’s history.
The 26-year-old Croatian had only arrived in Kaunas a few weeks earlier. Now, he will forever be remembered as the player who delivered the goal that changed the club’s history.
With that victory, Kauno Žalgiris became only the fifth Baltic club ever to qualify for the league phase of a UEFA competition, and the first to do so this year.
A financial breakthrough
The sporting success also carries enormous financial significance. Qualification guarantees Kauno Žalgiris approximately €3.9 million in UEFA prize money – a transformative figure for any Baltic club. Even more importantly, the European journey is far from over.
The Lithuanian champions remain in the UEFA Champions League qualifying path. Should they fail to overcome Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round, they will still have further opportunities to reach either the UEFA Europa League or the Conference League.
Standing in their way now is undoubtedly their toughest challenge yet. Dinamo Zagreb represent a completely different level compared to Klaksvík. Nevertheless, Kauno Žalgiris possess one subtle advantage: head coach Željko Sopić knows the Croatian champions better than almost anyone.
Between 2015 and 2016, the Croatian was part of Dinamo Zagreb’s coaching staff before later serving as interim first-team manager.
“I was born in Zagreb and have supported Dinamo my whole life. I played for the club, coached the reserve team and eventually managed the first team on an interim basis. For people born in Zagreb, this club means everything. There’s no point comparing budgets or quality. But we’re going there, and I know we’ll give everything we’ve got.”
A season worthy of a documentary
Whatever happens against Dinamo Zagreb, Kauno Žalgiris have already written one of the most remarkable chapters in Lithuanian football. Their 2026 campaign has contained almost every possible storyline.
An outstanding start to the domestic season was followed by a worrying winless run and the unexpected departure of head coach Eivinas Černiauskas. His replacement, Željko Sopić, arrived only weeks before the start of the European qualifiers, making the decision by club president Mantas Kalnietis a calculated risk.
Today, that gamble looks fully justified. Reaching the league phase of a UEFA competition is a life-changing achievement for any Baltic club, both financially and historically.
Still, new challenges are already emerging.
An extended European campaign means postponed TOPLYGA fixtures and an increasingly demanding schedule. For now, Kauno Žalgiris have managed to balance domestic and continental commitments. However, with matches continuing to pile up, squad depth and consistency will be tested more than ever.
The weeks and months ahead will reveal whether the club can continue writing history on two fronts. One thing, however, is already beyond doubt: Kauno Žalgiris have secured their place among the greatest success stories Lithuanian club football has ever produced.
Less significant in terms of reward, even greater in drama
In Vilnius, the reward may not have matched what Kauno Žalgiris achieved, but the story itself was arguably even more extraordinary. To understand why FK Žalgiris’ 7-2 victory was far more remarkable than the scoreline alone suggests, it is necessary to return to what happened in Tbilisi on July 23.
The first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round could hardly have gone worse for Andrius Skerla’s side. Two costly defensive mistakes resulted in Dinamo Tbilisi goals, while the Georgian club dominated large spells of the match and deservedly secured a 3-0 victory before half-time.
The statistics reflected the performance. Dinamo controlled the game, created the better chances and left Žalgiris with what appeared to be an almost impossible task ahead of the return leg in Vilnius.
Only nine percent. That was the probability club president Andrius Tapinas gave his side of overturning the three-goal deficit before kick-off. Even that estimate seemed optimistic considering the events of the first leg.
What followed, however, defied virtually every expectation. Seven goals. Six scored after half-time. An extraordinary display of intensity, belief and attacking football produced one of the most memorable European nights in Lithuanian football history, as Žalgiris completed a stunning comeback to eliminate Dinamo Tbilisi.
Reflecting on the turnaround, Tapinas revealed that the recovery had started long before the second leg kicked off.
“Right after the game in Tbilisi, I sent a personal message to almost every player on the team, telling them they were much better than they had shown that evening, that they shouldn’t lose faith in themselves, that nothing was lost yet and that the club stood firmly behind them. From their replies, I realised that anything was still possible.
Yesterday morning, I wrote about the miracle at Liepkalnis and the need for a hurricane-like offensive. Of course, people made fun of me. It wasn’t a hurricane. It was a squall, a typhoon and a tornado all rolled into one that swept away the entire Dinamo team.
Football in Lithuania is experiencing an incredible surge. We now have an opportunity unlike any we’ve had since independence. We’re supporting one another. Yesterday I received congratulations from Mantas Kalnietis, Mantas Agentas, FK TransINVEST and FC Hegelmann, while the day before I congratulated FK Kauno Žalgiris myself. On the pitch we’ll remain fierce rivals, but off it we’re working together for Lithuanian football.”
The atmosphere inside the stadium reflected the magnitude of the occasion. In front of more than 4,700 spectators, Žalgiris delivered a performance that few expected after the first leg, producing an evening that will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the club’s finest European nights.
The victory was historic in more ways than one. Before this season, Žalgiris had never progressed beyond the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. By defeating Dinamo Tbilisi, the Vilnius club not only broke that barrier but also secured at least €1.075 million in UEFA prize money.
Their reward is another formidable Croatian opponent. While Kauno Žalgiris prepare to face Dinamo Zagreb, FK Žalgiris will meet Hajduk Split in the third qualifying round. The Croatian side will undoubtedly start as favourites, but Wednesday’s comeback served as a reminder that European football rarely follows the script.
As Tapinas wrote after the match:
“Football statistics experts give FK Žalgiris a 16% chance of beating Hajduk Split, but I just smile. Do they take into account that we’ll play without pressure, that we have nothing to lose, and that we have hope? Hope is a terrifying thing.”
