On Thursday night in front of their home crowd, FK Banga Gargždai bravely held off Rosenborg BK for the first half but ultimately fell 0-2 to the 26-time Norwegian champions in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie. With the aggregate score ending 0-7, Banga’s European journey comes to an end.
After a heavy 0-5 defeat in Trondheim last week – a match where Banga also lost key players – the Lithuanian side entered the return leg in Gargždai needing a miracle. Team captain Mantas Ramanauskas was suspended due to a red card, and long-time stalwart Dovydas Norvilas was sidelined with injury. Their spots in the starting lineup were taken by Victory Akpe and Laton.
Early in the game Norwegian winger Emil Konradsen Ceide had an early one-on-one chance in the 19th minute, but Banga keeper Mantas Bertašius made a crucial save. Despite the uphill battle, Banga showed grit and determination in the first half as toward the end of the half, Vilius Magdušauskas stood out with a confident display, drawing three yellow cards from the opposition and providing dangerous service in attack.
The home side nearly broke the deadlock in stoppage time before the break. After a sharp pass from Magdušauskas, Sherwin Seedorf weaved past two defenders and unleashed a powerful shot from 16 meters out, only to be denied by a superb save from Rosenborg goalkeeper Sander Tangvik. At halftime, the match remained goalless.
Banga started the second half with renewed energy, and in the 51st minute came close once again – Pijus Srėbalius beat his man in the box but slipped as he shot, sending the ball wide.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Rosenborg took control shortly after. In the 62nd minute, Simen Nordli curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner from 20 meters to give the visitors the lead. Just two minutes later, a deflected long shot bounced perfectly for Noah Holm, who tapped it in from close range to make it 0-2.
Banga had one last chance to salvage some pride in the 81st minute when Hugo Figueredo’s corner deflected dangerously toward goal, only to be cleared off the line by a Rosenborg defender.
Despite the loss, Banga’s spirited display at home earned applause from local supporters. Their run in Europe ends here, but the experience of facing a historic club like Rosenborg – with 26 league titles and multiple Champions League group stage appearances – will serve as valuable inspiration going forward.
Rosenborg now advances to face the winner of the tie between Sweden’s Hammarby IF and Belgium’s Charleroi.
FK Banga Gargždai vs Rosenborg BK – 0:2 (0:0)
Goals: Nordli 61′, Holm 64′
BAN: Bertašius, Antužis, Malžniskas, Simao, Figueredo, Laton (Praleika 83′), Victory, Magdušauskas (Ambrazaitis 83′), Seedorf (Andrejev 76′), Emsis (Venckus 58′)
ROS: Tangvik, Witry (Reitan 61′), Volden, Nemcik (Pereira 46′), Jenssen, Vaananen, Selnaes (Zeidan 61′), Nordli (Mortensen 80′), Reitan-Sunde, Holm (Islamovic 67′), Ceide
