by Mantas Aliukonis
On September 29th last year in Kaunas, Banga Gargždai claimed the most significant victory in the club’s history — lifting the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) Cup. It was a triumph two decades in the making, made all the more remarkable when set against the club’s modest beginnings and turbulent past.
Back in 2005, Banga were languishing in fifth place in the Second League’s Western Zone. Their future looked uncertain. Yet from those humble beginnings, the club slowly rebuilt itself, riding the highs and lows of Lithuanian football. One man who has witnessed much of that journey is youth coach Aurimas Šlušnys, a long-time servant of the club both on and off the pitch. He played, coached every youth level, and served on the first-team staff under Tomas Tomašauskas, later succeeded by David Afonso.
“I’ve been here through everything — from the brink of collapse to a historic cup win,” says Šlušnys, now coaching Banga’s U13 side.
During the mid-2010s, Banga — like many Lithuanian clubs — partnered with investors from the East, a move that brought questionable results and late wages. When that model failed, the club turned inward, relying on local talent and returning veterans to rebuild. Šlušnys was part of the coaching staff that guided Banga back to the A Lyga.
Since winning promotion in a 2019 playoff against Palanga, Banga have established themselves in Lithuania’s top tier. But it’s in Europe that the club now seeks to write a new chapter.
European Flashbacks — and Setbacks
This summer, Banga returns to UEFA competition for a third time, facing Norwegian giants Rosenborg in the Conference League second qualifying round. The club’s European pedigree is limited but memorable. In 2011, they were hammered 7–0 on aggregate by Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ, then in 2014, they were beaten 4–0 by Ireland’s Sligo Rovers. Long-time captain Karolis Urbaitis, who spent 14 seasons with Banga, featured in both campaigns, as did players like Irmantas Zelmikas, Andrius Lipskis, and Evaldas Grigaitis.
A third European appearance nearly came in 2020, but Panevėžys denied Banga a spot by unexpectedly winning the cup final against Sūduva on penalties.
From Cup Final Heartbreaks to Triumph
The club’s road to LFF Cup glory was anything but straightforward. They lost three finals before finally lifting the trophy. In 2011, Banga fell 4–2 in extra time to Ekranas. In 2014, they narrowly lost 2–1 to Žalgiris, with Evaldas Grigaitis named man of the match. Then in 2019, a Pirma Lyga version of Banga was soundly beaten 4–0 by Sūduva.
“We created a little miracle that year,” Šlušnys recalls. “No one expected a second-tier side, training four times a week, to make the final — let alone against a full-time champion team.”
Local Heroes, Lifelong Paths
One of the most poignant stories in Banga’s success is that of Valdas Antužis, who scored the decisive penalty in the 2023 final. His first coach? Aurimas Šlušnys. “He was quiet, hardworking, disciplined — a soldier,” says the coach. “He’s been a fullback since day one and never wavered.”
Šlušnys highlights other talents who came through the system: Ben Šatkus, Mantas Petrikas, Pijus Srėbalius, Natanas Žebrauskas, and Vaidas Magdušauskas among them. Many, however, were cut down by injuries before they could reach their full potential.
Now coaching U13s, Šlušnys continues to shape the future. One of his most promising recent protégés, Erikas Smulkys (born in 2006), was part of the cup-winning squad. Others, like Darius Zubauskas and Genaras Samsonikas, are finding their paths in the first division and futsal.
The Road Ahead
Banga’s reward for reaching the second round of the UEFA Conference League is more than just a shot at redemption — it comes with a guaranteed €700,000 in prize money.
The first leg against Rosenborg takes place on July 24th in Trondheim, with the return in Gargždai on July 31st. It’s a massive opportunity for a club whose journey from near collapse to national silverware has been defined by resilience, community, and local roots.
Whether the “Tigers” can pull off another miracle remains to be seen — but their history suggests never to count them out.
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