Between the posts of tomorrow: Lithuania’s TOP 10 goalkeepers for 2030

By Titas Teiten

In the 2020s, few would argue that Lithuania has shined in the world’s most popular sport: football. In fact, the past five years have been nothing short of a struggle. Has there been progress? Perhaps. Does that leave room for hope? Certainly. And when might we finally witness a real leap in quality? The answer, long awaited by Lithuanian football fans, may lie in the decade ahead.

2030 sounds distant. Yet, four years can transform a footballing nation. That year will also mark the World Cup, the sport’s grandest stage. And while picturing Lithuania on that stage still feels ambitious, even unrealistic, football has always been a place where unlikely dreams occasionally take shape.

Even if World Cup qualification remains out of reach, perhaps Lithuania can rediscover the spirit of the 2000s, a period when the national team regularly challenged “stronger on paper” opponents, earned surprising results, and finished campaigns with a sense that the impossible had briefly come within reach.

With that in mind, Baltic Football News presents the Top 10 Lithuanian players who could be eligible to represent the national team in 2030 – a year that might prove decisive, maybe even historic, for Lithuanian sport.

Each article will focus on a specific position, beginning with the goalkeepers.

It is important to note that this ranking is entirely subjective, reflecting only the author’s opinion. Readers who disagree are more than welcome to do so.

Another crucial point: the ranking is based on the level each player is expected to reach by 2030, not on the likelihood of them choosing Lithuania. For example, if a dual-national player appears capable of reaching a level that would attract a stronger national team, that will not prevent us from placing him first or second in the ranking, even if his odds of ultimately representing Lithuania are slim.

Let’s begin with the goalkeepers: a position in which Lithuania has often excelled, thanks to legends such as Žydrūnas Karčemarskas, Gintaras Staučė, and Giedrius Arlauskis.

Before diving into the list, it’s important to acknowledge just how difficult it is to narrow Lithuania’s goalkeeping talent down to only ten names. Choosing ten inevitably means leaving out several promising players. Therefore, honorable mentions go to Ugnius Semaška (BFA), Gustas Baliutavičius (FA Šiauliai), Rokas Bagdonavičius (FC Hegelmann), Titas Krapikas (AS Gubbio, Italy), Vincentas Šarkauskas (FK Žalgiris Vilnius), Arijus Bražinskas (FC Hegelmann), Klaidas Laukžemis (Sora, Italy), and Joris Aliukonis (FK Kauno Žalgiris).

Wishing all of them the very best. Who knows, perhaps one of these names will prove the author wrong and emerge as Lithuania’s undisputed Number 1 by 2030.

10. Artiom Šankin

• Date of Birth: 03/02/2008
• Age in 2030: 22
• Current Club: FK Riteriai, A lyga.
• Why him? Very few players have the privilege of making their top-flight debut at just 17 years old. Yet that is exactly what Artiom Šankin, born in 2008, managed to do. The young Lithuanian goalkeeper stepped onto the professional stage with FK Riteriai during the 2025 A Lyga season, and his first opponent was no small challenge: the 2024 champions, Žalgiris Vilnius. Despite conceding two goals in a match Riteriai ultimately lost to a stronger side, Šankin immediately caught the eye of many observers. Since that debut, he has gone on to collect nine A Lyga appearances and has quickly positioned himself as one of the most intriguing goalkeeping prospects in Lithuania. Already capped at U-17 level, Šankin’s journey is only beginning. The next two or three seasons will be absolutely decisive in determining his trajectory, and whether he can become a central figure in the future of Lithuania’s goalkeeping ranks.
• In a few words: A promising beginning, yet the coming seasons will reveal whether he can live up to his potential.

9. Vilius Šivickas

• Date of Birth: 04/07/2005
• Age in 2030: 25
• Current Club: FK Jonava, Pirma lyga.
• Why him? Not the most widely known name, but certainly an experienced one, at least at youth-international level. Although he has yet to break into the senior national team, Vilius Šivickas has represented Lithuania at U-17, U-18, and U-19 levels, and recently made his U-21 debut against Türkiye in October. At just 20 years old, he has been a key figure for Jonava this season and is increasingly attracting attention. A move to a stronger club, perhaps even an A Lyga side, could be on the horizon in the coming years, or maybe even the coming months.
• In a few words: A step up is needed, and it seems inevitable he’ll take it soon.

8. Julius Virvilas

• Date of Birth: 03/06/2004
• Age in 2030: 26
• Current Club: FK Transinvest, A lyga.
• Why him? After several years in Italian academies, Julius Virvilas returned to Lithuania. In July 2025, he made an intriguing and promising move to FK Transinvest, a team freshly promoted to the first division after their 2024 relegation. Since joining, Virvilas has firmly established himself as the team’s number one goalkeeper. Despite a strong start, FK Transinvest have brought in one of Lithuania’s top goalkeepers, Mantas Bertašius – a move that effectively places Virvilas as the team’s second-choice keeper. Even so, there is little doubt that he has the potential to break into the national team in the coming years.
• In a few words: Experience abroad and key minutes in Lithuania’s top second-division side set him up for a successful season and a bright future.

7. Mantas Bertašius

• Date of Birth: 03/05/2000
• Age in 2030: 30
• Current Club: FK Transinvest, A lyga.
• Why him? At 25, Mantas Bertašius is steadily shaping himself into what looks like his prime form. For many A Lyga followers, he has been the standout goalkeeper of the 2025 season, and it’s hardly a surprise. Bertašius closed the campaign with 12 clean sheets in 35 matches, arguably the best year of his career to date. His performances earned him a surprising move to an ambitious FK Transinvest team, a clear sign that his lone national-team cap might just be the beginning of a much longer international journey. The only lingering concern is his age. At 25, Bertašius must show that he can still elevate his game and outpace the younger goalkeepers vying for the 2030 spot. If he continues on his current trajectory, however, he may well prove that experience and late development can trump early hype.
• In a few words: Already tested, still young, and entering the defining stage of his career.

6. Kristupas Čepulis

• Date of Birth: 02/08/2008
• Age in 2030: 22
• Current Club: Wolfsberger AC, Austria.
• Why him? As is the case for many promising Lithuanian youngsters receiving offers from academies abroad, goalkeeper Kristupas Čepulis has followed a similar path. At just 16, he left his homeland to pursue a new challenge in Austria, where he is developing with Wolfsberg’s U18 team. So far, the Lithuanian talent has secured the role of first-choice goalkeeper, gaining invaluable experience that is accelerating his growth. On the international stage, Čepulis has represented Lithuania at U16 and U17 levels and is now awaiting his debut with the U19 squad, all while steadily positioning himself for a future call-up to the senior national team in the years ahead.
• In a few words: If Čepulis continues to progress in Austria, it’s only a matter of time before he earns a call-up to the higher national team ranks.

5. Henrikas Adomavičius

• Date of Birth: 02/01/2009
• Age in 2030: 21
• Current Club: Inter Milan, Italy.
• Why him? Although the incredibly tall Adomavičius (198 cm) primarily features for Inter Milan’s U18 team, the young Lithuanian has already had the chance to train with the first team of the 2025 Champions League finalists. He is regarded as an excellent goalkeeper with the ball at his feet, a rare quality for someone his age. Having arrived from Kaunas in February 2025, Henrikas Adomavičius is clear evidence that Lithuania possesses a genuine gem among its young goalkeepers. The only reason he appears “only” in fifth place on our list is his remarkably young age. Henrikas is the youngest player featured, and while he is already competing with older teammates, it is still too early to declare him the next big star. Nevertheless, if he continues performing as he has so far, the sky is truly the limit.
• In a few words: Too young for firm predictions, but his potential may be the highest on the list.

4. Marius Adamonis

• Date of Birth: 13/05/1997
• Age in 2030: 33
• Current club: FC Südtirol, Italy.
• Why him? After signing for Lazio in 2016 as a 19 year-old prospect, Marius Adamonis was widely viewed as Lithuania’s next great goalkeeper. Although his career didn’t fully unfold as expected, his years in Italy have given him invaluable experience. Now 28, he has just one cap for the national team, but his current form suggests there is still room for his international future to brighten. Having established himself as a reliable goalkeeper in Italy’s Serie B, Adamonis appears to be entering the prime of his career, making his placement at fourth in the ranking a well-justified choice.
• In a few words: Not the future once promised, but his current form offers genuine hope.

3. Edvinas Gertmonas

• Date of Birth: 01/06/1996
• Age in 2030: 34
• Current club: FC Universitatea Cluj, Romania.
• Why him? As the current first-choice goalkeeper for the national team, Edvinas Gertmonas seems firmly established in the squad, unless Marius Adamonis makes a significant leap in level. By 2030 he will be 34, an age that rarely intimidates goalkeepers, yet still leaves room for younger talents to emerge. For now, however, Gertmonas is likely to represent Lithuania at the 2026 internationals. His performances in the competitive and steadily improving Romanian league underline the quality and reliability he brings to the team. Whether he will remain the No. 1 in 2030 is a question that remains unanswered.
• In a few words: The most reliable for now, but will he hold the role through 2030?

2. Ernestas Lysionok

• Date of Birth: 09/03/2007
• Age in 2030: 23
• Current club: Genoa, Italy.
• Why him? If there is one Lithuanian goalkeeper in Italy who truly stands out right now (and yes, there are many), it’s Ernestas Lysionok. At just 18, he is in his second season in Primavera 1 and has secured a starting role for Genoa’s U20 side, a team pushing for a top-six finish and a place in the playoffs. It’s also worth noting that he has been called up twice for Serie A matches this season, indicating that he is regarded as a high-potential goalkeeper and a prospect for the first team’s future. Internationally, Ernestas has progressed steadily through the U16, U17, U18, and now U19 squads, moving closer to the ultimate goal: the senior national team. There is no doubt that he belongs among Lithuania’s most promising young goalkeepers, competing at one of the highest levels available for his age, which naturally places him near the top of this ranking.
• In a few words: Perhaps the top goalkeeping prospect, now it’s all in his hands.

1. Arnas Voitinovičius

• Date of Birth: 30/08/2006
• Age in 2030: 24
• Current club: SL Benfica, Portugal.
• Why him? Choosing a No. 1 was far from easy, but a choice had to be made. While some may debate it, there is little doubt that Arnas Voitinovičius has the potential to become Lithuania’s first-choice goalkeeper by 2030. After making his professional debut for FK Riteriai at just 16, it took only a handful of matches for Portuguese giants SL Benfica to notice. Since then, he has become a key figure in Benfica’s 2024/25 Youth League campaign and has made a strong name for himself in Portuguese youth football. Voitinovičius has already trained with Benfica’s senior team, though he still awaits his professional debut in Portugal. His 2025/26 season began with a setback, a meniscus tear, but he returned successfully with the club’s U23 side. Will the injury hinder his long-term development? Probably not. Will he grow into the commanding goalkeeper many hope he will become? That part is entirely up to him.
• In a few words: He still needs to prove himself in Portugal, but his talent and last season’s form make one thing clear: he’s destined to become a key face of Lithuanian football.