A Lyga action resumed with a thrilling 2-2 draw between the last two Lithuanian Cup winners – FK Banga Gargždai and FK Panevėžys – as both sides came from behind and shared the points.
The two clubs entered this match in contrasting form. Banga had gone five matches without a win, their last victory coming on August 24, while Panevėžys had lost only once in their previous five league fixtures and celebrated a triumphant Lithuanian Cup final in the meantime.
Banga made just one change from their pre-break draw with FC Hegelmann, bringing in Portuguese midfielder Laton for Rokas Filipavičius. Panevėžys, without head coach Roland Vrabec on the touchline due to suspension, rotated three players from their last match against FA Šiauliai. Assistant coach Dainius Gleveckas took charge of the team.
The home side struck first in the 9th minute. After a Vaidas Magdušauskas cross, Sherwin Seedorf’s header was saved by Vytautas Černiauskas, but Abdoul Dante inadvertently turned the rebound into his own net, giving Banga a 1-0 lead.
Panevėžys responded quickly. A flowing team move saw Lucas De Vega pick out Rokas Rasimavičius, who squared the ball perfectly for Marko Bacanin to tap into an empty net for his first goal of the season. The Serbian striker doubled his tally just before halftime. Following a Faustas Steponavičius cross, Rasimavičius’ header struck the post, and Bacanin was again quickest to react, putting Panevėžys ahead 2-1 going into the break.
Banga hit back right after the restart. Head coach David Afonso made an inspired halftime substitution, sending on Rokas Filipavičius, and the 25-year-old midfielder produced a beautiful curling strike from the edge of the box to level the match at 2-2 – his first goal for the club.
The remainder of the second half was open and intense, with both sides creating excellent chances. However, both goalkeepers stood firm, and for the third time this season the two teams finished level.
Thanks to this point, Banga secure their place in the A Lyga for next season and sit comfortably in eighth. Panevėžys, already guaranteed a European spot through their Cup triumph, remain sixth – two points ahead of FC Džiugas Telšiai and seven behind FA Šiauliai.
Next up, Banga travel to Šiauliai in four days, while Panevėžys host FK Riteriai on the same day.
FK Banga Gargždai vs FK Paņevežys – 2:2 (1:2)
Goals: Dante 7′ (Own goal), Filipavičius 49′ | Bacanin 24′, 45′
A Lyga Matchday 31:
17.10.2025 – FK Kauno Žalgiris vs FA Šiauliai – 3:1
18.10.2025 – FK Banga Gargždai vs FK Paņevežys – 2:2
18.10.2025 – DFK Dainava Alytus vs FK Žalgiris – 16:00
18.10.2025 – FK Riteriai vs FC Hegelmann – 18:00
18.10.2025 – FC Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Sūduva – 18:25
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Kauno Žalgiris | 35 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 41 | 74 |
| 2 | Hegelmann FC | 35 | 20 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 64 |
| 3 | FK Žalgiris | 35 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 62 |
| 4 | FK Sūduva | 35 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 59 |
| 5 | FA Šiauliai | 35 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 51 |
| 6 | FK Panevėžys | 35 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 46 |
| 7 | FC Džiugas Telšiai | 35 | 13 | 6 | 16 | -8 | 45 |
| 8 | FK Banga Gargždai | 35 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 41 |
| 9 | FK Riteriai | 35 | 6 | 7 | 22 | -37 | 25 |
| 10 | DFK Dainava Alytus | 35 | 3 | 8 | 24 | -49 | 17 |
