Sirgedas brace seals derby glory for Kauno Žalgiris

The highly anticipated Kaunas Derby in Matchweek 16 of the Lithuanian A Lyga lived up to expectations, as FK Kauno Žalgiris triumphed 2–1 over FC Hegelmann to take sole possession of first place in the league table.

Hegelmann made three changes to the starting lineup following their disappointing 2–2 draw against bottom side Dainava. Serbian midfielder Lazar Kojic returned after a one-match absence, Donatas Kazlauskas made his first start since May 10, and their leading scorer Abdel Njoya was back in the XI.

Kauno Žalgiris, on the other hand, made two changes from the team that drew with Sūduva. Bah-Traoré was suspended due to yellow card accumulation and was replaced by Eduardas Jurjonas, while French attacker Fabien Ourega also came into the side.

Both clubs entered the clash tied on 31 points, but it was Kauno Žalgiris who emerged victorious thanks to a brace from veteran midfielder Gratas Sirgedas. It marked the second win this season for Žalgiris over their city rivals, having already defeated them 3–1 earlier in the campaign.

Žalgiris started aggressively, with Amine Benchaib testing Hegelmann goalkeeper Tadas Šarkauskas just 12 seconds into the match.

Despite an even battle in midfield, it was Žalgiris who struck first. In the 42nd minute, after a combination between Ourega and Benchaib, a rebound fell outside the box directly to Gratas Sirgedas. The 30-year-old Lithuanian unleashed a low drive that somehow found its way through a crowd of defenders and past the keeper for his first goal of the season.

Sirgedas doubled his tally—and Žalgiris’ lead—early in the second half with a moment of brilliance. Picking up the ball near midfield, the Lithuanian international drove forward unchallenged before firing a left-footed rocket into the bottom-right corner to make it 2–0.

Hegelmann quickly responded. Carlos Duke won possession in midfield, setting up a numerical advantage. Leo Ribeiro stormed into the box and forced a save from Švedkauskas, but Kojic pounced on the rebound to reduce the deficit to 2–1.

Minutes later, the visitors came agonizingly close to equalizing. A pinpoint cross from Upstas found substitute Patrick Popescu, whose header rattled the post. The rebound seemed destined to be tapped in by Njoya, but Georgian defender Anton Tolordava produced a heroic block, muscling out the striker and clearing the danger.

Hegelmann continued to press, with Popescu again threatening late on, but his close-range effort sailed over the bar.

Kauno Žalgiris held on to secure their second derby win of the season and move three points clear at the top of the table with 34 points. Hegelmann, despite the fightback, drop to second with 31.

FC Hegelmann vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Kojic 68′ | Sirgedas 42′, 60′
HEG: Sarkauskas, Upstas, Armalas, Djoric, Duke, Shchedryi (Kaušinis 67′), Antanavičius, Kojič, Kazlauskas (Popescu 67′), Njoya (Yusuf 76′), Ribeiro
KAU: Svedkauskas, Jurjonas, Tolordava, Hernandez, Edokpolor, Chogadze (Černych 82′), Sirgedas, Pavlovic (Naah 82′), Ourega (Armanavičius 73′), Georgijevic (Jansonas 73′), Benchaib (Kerkez 90+5′)

A Lyga Matchday 16 games:

• 19.06.2025 – FK Paņevežys vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 2:0
• 19.06.2025 – FK Sūduva vs FK Žalgiris – 2:2
• 19.06.2025 – Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Banga Gargždai – 0:1
• 19.06.2025 – FK Riteriai vs FA Šiauliai – 1:0
• 19.06.2025 – FC Hegelmann vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 1:2