Today, the Lithuanian show unfolded in the Slovenian Prva Liga as NK Celje thrashed Radomlje with an impressive score of 9-1. Lithuanian players Armandas Kučys and Artemijus Tutyškinas were pivotal in the victory, with Kučys contributing a goal and an assist, while Tutyškinas netted two goals.
Just days earlier, NK Celje pulled off a remarkable surprise in Europe by defeating APOEL in a second-leg match, securing their spot in the UEFA Conference League round of 16, where they will face the Swiss side Lugano. Kučys scored the winning goal in that critical game, continuing his strong form. The striker was also in the starting lineup today, alongside his compatriot Tutyškinas, who has now started three league matches in a row.
Celjskih 11 za Radomlje.
— NK Celje (@NKCelje) February 23, 2025pic.twitter.com/Fry7hsfnAp
The match against Radomlje began with Celje taking an early lead. In the 8th minute, Svit Sešlar thrilled the home crowd with a powerful shot from 18 meters that struck the crossbar before bouncing into the net. Just three minutes later, Egor Prutsev doubled the lead with a goal of his own.
In the 16th minute, Sešlar assisted Kučys, who skillfully found the back of the net. This marked Kučys’s eighth goal of the season, elevating him to second place in the league’s top-scorers list. Both teams managed to net a goal each before halftime, concluding a high-scoring first half at 4-1.
In je že 3!
— NK Celje (@NKCelje) February 23, 2025
16' Celje 3-0 Radomlje pic.twitter.com/W49z4ajzi3
In the second half, Celje maintained their dominance on the field. Kučys assisted Tutyškinas for his first goal with the club, as he scored effortlessly from close range. The pressure intensified as Celje netted three goals in a remarkable span of just seven minutes. Tutyškinas capped off his stellar performance by heading a corner kick off the crossbar and into the net for the eighth goal in the 79th minute, further highlighting his contribution to the match.
Tudi Arti do drugega zadetka!
— NK Celje (@NKCelje) February 23, 2025
79' Celje 8-1 Radomlje pic.twitter.com/wC5aH36WAs
Celje capped off their extraordinary performance with a ninth goal late in the game, finishing with a commanding score of 9-1.
Uspešen preklop iz evropskih na domače nastavitve.
— NK Celje (@NKCelje) February 23, 2025pic.twitter.com/8J4x2Nkxp2
Armandas Kučys played 62 minutes and has scored eight goals and provided one assist in 15 league appearances this season. In contrast, 21-year-old Artemijus Tutyškinas has scored twice and assisted once in just five league appearances.
Following this emphatic victory, Celje maintains fifth place in the league standings with 35 points after 22 games. Their next challenge will be on Wednesday when they host Tabor Sezana in the 1/8 finals of the Slovenian Cup.