By Titas Teiten
While FC Hegelmann’s glory days may, for now, appear to be behind them, one word still offers a sense of optimism: Europe. Despite a disappointing domestic campaign, last season’s runner-up finish in the TOPLYGA secured the Kaunas district club a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. Although expectations are more modest than those surrounding either of the two Žalgiris clubs, there remains quiet confidence within the Hegelmann camp. Their first hurdle comes against Baltic club Paide Linnameeskond, an opponent widely regarded as beatable for the side based in Raudondvaris.
Over the past few years, FC Hegelmann have firmly established themselves as one of Lithuanian football’s emerging forces. The club finished second in the TOPLYGA in both 2024 and 2025 and reached the Lithuanian Cup final on three occasions, falling short each time. Silverware has so far remained elusive, but Hegelmann consistently proved they belonged among the country’s top contenders.
That is no longer the case. At least not this season. With just 19 points from 19 league matches, Hegelmann find themselves in seventh place, a far cry from the standards they have set in recent years. A lack of consistency, combined with a squad that has struggled to match the quality of previous campaigns, has left the club well below expectations and searching for answers.
European competition, however, presents an opportunity to reset the narrative. Awaiting Hegelmann in the opening qualifying round is Estonian side Paide Linnameeskond. While Paide have enjoyed the stronger domestic season so far, they are far from an insurmountable challenge. Currently sitting fourth in the Estonian Premium Liiga, the same position they finished in last season, Paide represent a competitive but manageable opponent. The tie could go a long way toward defining Hegelmann’s campaign, offering the Lithuanian side a chance to restore confidence and remind supporters of the team they have become accustomed to watching in recent years. Whether Hegelmann can seize that opportunity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: they have been handed a draw that offers genuine hope.
Club captain Vilius Armanavičius, who returned to FC Hegelmann this year after previously representing the club between 2020 and the end of 2022, spoke to Baltic Football News about his return to the Kaunas district side, the team’s determination to rediscover its best form, and the ambitions they carry into the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
You’ve already played a significant part of the season since returning to Hegelmann. How would you assess your comeback? Have you managed to settle back into the team and find your place quickly?
I wouldn’t say my return has gone particularly well because neither the team nor I have been performing at the level we expected. When the results aren’t there, it’s difficult to evaluate anything positively. It often feels like we’re very close to winning games, but somehow the points keep slipping away. As for settling back into the squad, a lot has changed since I was last here. It wasn’t easy at first, but now it feels like we’ve started to develop our own identity and style of play.
You returned after some major changes at the club, with head coach Andrius Skerla and sporting director Giedrius Klevinskas no longer involved. How much have those changes been felt within the team, and what has changed the most in the day-to-day environment?
The difference is definitely noticeable. When I left, we didn’t even have our own stadium. The squad is completely different now as well. Coach Tadas Vilkevičius has been doing an excellent job, I have nothing but good things to say about him. Do we miss Andrius Skerla? When you’ve had your best season under a coach, you’ll always look back on that time with fond memories. Giedrius Klevinskas also did a fantastic job of bringing the team together. I think we were a more competitive side back then.
What goals did the team set before the season? In your opinion, are you moving towards those objectives, or is consistency still missing?
Consistency is definitely something we’re lacking. Our goal is to secure a European qualification spot, and that’s what we have to achieve. We certainly don’t have one of the biggest budgets in the league. No one is happy with our current position in the TOPLYGA, especially considering how this season has unfolded. The table is incredibly tight, with many teams very close to one another. The club isn’t satisfied, and neither are the players. There’s no point pretending otherwise.
What do you think the team is missing to reach the level Hegelmann showed during its strongest periods in recent seasons? Looking at the squad and your performances, do you feel your current league position reflects the team’s true potential, or are you capable of much more?
Of course, I believe we can do better. But when I look at the other teams, I also see that they deserve to be where they are. They’ve developed their own identity, and although some weren’t considered favourites before the season, they’ve earned their positions in the table. I’m not someone who believes you can look at a squad on paper and immediately declare them champions. Just look at Banga Gargždai or Džiugas. You can’t say they’re playing poorly. Their style is effective. The TOPLYGA has been very competitive this season, so there’s little point making big conclusions at this stage.
UEFA Conference League qualifying is just around the corner. What’s the mood within the team ahead of this challenge? Does the atmosphere in the dressing room feel different compared to a regular league match?
It’s impossible to approach these games like any other. The stakes are much higher. Every TOPLYGA match is important for us, but it’s only natural that Europe is on our minds. I think we’re our own biggest opponents. We expect a lot from this campaign because these matches can give real meaning to our season. If we get through the first qualifying round, I think most people would say it hasn’t been a bad season after all.
The draw has paired you with opponents from Estonia. Have you already formed an opinion about them? Where do you think this tie will be decided?
I haven’t analysed them in detail yet. The coaching staff has watched them and shared some of their thoughts. But, as I said, our biggest opponent is ourselves. Sometimes we play with confidence and freedom, while other times we’re too cautious. In some ways, it’s even harder when everyone says the opposition is beatable. I’m sure they’re just as happy to be playing against us as we are against them. I expect it to be a very evenly matched tie.
What would the team consider a successful European campaign? Have you set any specific goals internally, or are you focusing solely on the next round?
For me, it’s all about the first round. We have to get through that before thinking any further ahead. There’s no point looking too far into the future in Europe. Of course, everyone dreams of progressing through several rounds, but right now we know we have a genuine chance of winning this first tie, and that’s exactly what we’ll be aiming to do.
You’ve already played in European competitions before, but these will be your first European matches in a Hegelmann shirt. Does that make them especially meaningful for you?
It’ll be a completely new chapter. Everything will be different. My European experience with Kauno Žalgiris was a different story, and, to be honest, those campaigns were disappointing. I wouldn’t say we’re favourites heading into these matches. Overall, we’re probably slight underdogs, but at the same time the teams are very evenly matched. These are games with a lot at stake. If we were facing a much stronger opponent, there would actually be less pressure.
How valuable can your European experience be for the team? Does that experience really provide an advantage, or does every European campaign feel like starting from scratch?
Personally, I don’t feel like I have a huge amount of European experience. I think experience becomes much more significant when you’ve played in front of massive crowds. I’ve experienced that with the Lithuanian national team in Turkey, where the entire stadium was roaring. The first time you play in an atmosphere like that, you’re thinking, “What’s going on here?” But if you’ve experienced it ten times, it becomes normal. Since neither team in this tie has a particularly large fan base, I don’t think experience will be a decisive factor.
What message would you like to send to the supporters ahead of the European matches?
I’d like to invite everyone to come to the stadium and support us. That support means a great deal to the team. From our side, we’ll do everything we can to produce our best possible performance and fight for nothing less than victory. Our goal is to reach the next round and give our supporters as many European nights as possible.
