FK Panevėžys’ fifth season in UEFA competition brought a first appearance in the second qualifying round of the Conference League, with the Lithuanian side falling on penalties to Kazakhstan Cup winners Tobol.
Despite the shootout defeat, the tie brought positives for the club and Lithuanian football, with Panevėžys improving their standing among UEFA competition entrants and adding 0.25 points to Lithuania’s tally in the countries’ coefficient rankings.
One of the key storylines was the emergence of 17-year-old academy product Dovydas Balsys, a rare teenage starter for a Lithuanian club in Europe. Balsys, who has been starting regularly since June, played 77 minutes in the first leg and 105 in the return in Kostanai, where he was part of a line-up that at one stage featured seven Lithuanian players.
Balsys said Panevėžys grew in belief as the tie developed. “We knew Tobol would be strong and had good players, but we also knew they’ve had difficulties picking up points in their league,” he told the club website. “In the first match we saw there was nothing magical about it and we could play our football. Penalties are like a lottery – whoever has more luck that day wins.”
Asked about facing Tobol’s attacking leader Islam Česnokov, Balsys said the challenge was new to him. “I don’t think I had met a player like him in Lithuania. I looked into where and how he plays and analysed that he has a good left foot,” he said. “I think I handled it – he didn’t do too much damage to our team.”
The defender also pointed to an upturn in his training level after returning from youth international duty as the turning point behind his increased responsibility. “When I came back from the youth national team, I started training really well,” he said. “The coach saw my work. Against TransINVEST, Joel Bopesu was suspended, so the coach trusted me. I gave everything and proved I can play in the league.”
Balsys added that greater confidence has helped his development this season, including in possession. “I’ve grown more this year and started to trust myself more in training,” he said. “I’m playing more in the league and confidence is the most important thing. Against Džiugas it was 100% about believing I can play like that in attack.”
Although he has not featured for Panevėžys’ B team recently, Balsys also praised head coach Linas Klimavičius for his work with younger players. “He gives young players a lot of knowledge – what and how you need to do things, what to correct,” Balsys said. “I think he will help the team get promoted to the Pirma Lyga.”
Source: https://fk-panevezys.lt/stebinantis-d-balsio-proverzis/
