Okoniewski’s brace secures Dainava a point against leaders, Banga comes back against Riteriai

The TOPsport A Lyga roared back into action with two dramatic clashes to close out Matchday 15. Banga overturned a second-half deficit to earn a 2–1 win over Riteriai, while DFK Dainava Alytus side held one of the league leaders, FC Hegelmann, to a 2–2 draw in front of their home fans.

Dainava Fight Back in Four-Goal Thriller

In Alytus, DFK Dainava returned to league play with a spirited 2–2 draw against FC Hegelmann, much to the delight of their home supporters. The hosts came out stronger in the first half, creating several chances and dominating possession. The breakthrough nearly came in the 19th minute when Artiomas Baftalovskis stepped up to take a penalty, only for his effort to be expertly saved by Vincentas Šarkauskas.

Still, Dainava found their moment nine minutes later. After a sloppy turnover in midfield, Polish striker Krystian Okoniewski capitalized, firing past Šarkauskas to give the hosts a 1–0 lead.

But the second half told a different story. Just three minutes after the restart, goalkeeper Airidas Mickevičius mishandled a routine situation, allowing Leo Ribeiro to slot in the equalizer for Hegelmann. Moments later, the hosts found themselves behind when defender Maksym Maksymenko accidentally turned a dangerous cross into his own net.

Despite the sudden shift in momentum, Dainava refused to fold. Okoniewski came to the rescue again late in the match, breaking through the defense and finishing clinically from a tight angle to secure a valuable point—just the fourth of the season for the Alytus club.

DFK Dainava Alytus vs FC Hegelmann – 2:2 (1:0)
Goals: Okoniewski 34′ 67′ | Ribeiro 48′, Maksymenko 52′ (Own goal)
DAI: Mickevičius, Stočkunas, Maksymenko, Paliušis (Faye 72′), Oostenbrink, Koshkosh (Banevičius 90+1′), Zabita (Chikovani 56′), Ževžikovas (Kodz 56′), Pavlovski, Baftalovskyi, Okoniewski
HEG: Šarkauskas, Upstas, Djoric, Armalas, Duke, Schhedryi (Kaušinis 78′), Antanavičius (Harouna 78′), Freire, Popescu (Kazlauskas 68′), Ribeiro, Yusuf (Njoya 68′)

Banga Punish Faltering Riteriai

Elsewhere, FK Banga Gargždai mounted a comeback of their own, defeating a struggling FK Riteriai side 2–1. Both teams played cautiously in the first half, failing to break the deadlock. But the second half brought fireworks.

In the 68th minute, Riteriai found a glimmer of hope when substitute Nojus Stankevičius rose highest to head home a corner from Jakub Wawszczyk. The goal momentarily put the Vilnius side ahead, but their defensive frailties once again proved costly.

Ten minutes later, Banga’s Ignas Venckus equalized with a powerful drive from a tight angle, energizing the home crowd. The game turned completely on its head in the 83rd minute, when Stankevičius—hero turned unfortunate villain—attempted to chest the ball back to his keeper, Artiom Šankin. The miscommunication resulted in a bizarre and decisive own goal, gifting Banga all three points.

The victory propelled Banga up the standings and extended Riteriai’s miserable losing streak to six matches.

FK Riteriai vs FK Banga Gargždai – 1:2 (0:0)
Goals: Stankevičius 69′ | Venckus 78′, Stankevičius 84′ (Own Goal)
RIT: Šankin, Rutkovskis, Latvys, Stanulevičius (Šveistrys 76′), Stewart (Stankevičius 64′), Mulahalilovic, Civilka (Usavičius 76′), Wawszczyk, Sajčic (Rimpa 64′), Kaulinis (Alekna 84′), Mikulenas
BAN: Bertašius, Antužis, Malžinskas, Simao, Figueredo, Victory (Praleika 79′), Ramanauskas, Magušauskas, Olugbogi (Andrejev 46′), Šrebalius (Emsis 69′), Venckus (Elo 89′)

A Lyga Matchday 15 games:

• 13.06.2025 – FK Sūduva Marijampolė vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 0:0
• 13.06.2025 – FK Žalgiris vs FA Šiauliai – 0:0
• 13.06.2025 – Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Panevėžys – 1:1
• 14.06.2025 – FK Riteriai vs FK Banga Gargždai – 1:2
• 14.06.2025 – DFK Dainava Alytus vs FC Hegelmann – 2:2