Kauno Žalgiris clinch first A Lyga title after Hegelmann slip in Vilnius

FK Kauno Žalgiris made history on Saturday evening, officially being crowned champions of A Lyga for the first time in the club’s history. The decisive moment came not in Kaunas, but in Vilnius, where FC Hegelmann fell 0-2 to FK Riteriai, mathematically ending the title race with four matches to spare.

Hegelmann entered the game knowing that only a perfect finish to the season, combined with a rare Kauno Žalgiris collapse, could keep their title hopes alive. For the first 45 minutes, the visitors pushed forward but failed to make their chances count against a well-organized Riteriai defense.

The match turned early in the second half when Riteriai’s rising star Meinardas Mikulėnas struck clinically to give the home side a 1–0 lead. As time ticked away, Hegelmann threw everything forward in a desperate search for an equalizer. Instead, it was Riteriai who sealed the upset in the 88th minute through Brazilian forward Denilson, sending Kaunas into celebration mode.

For Kauno Žalgiris, this is a moment of pure triumph – the culmination of years of steady growth and ambition. The club has been knocking on the door of greatness in recent seasons, and now, with four rounds remaining, they finally stand at the summit of Lithuanian football.

Meanwhile, the victory is equally massive for Riteriai, who move four points clear of the bottom-placed DFK Dainava Alytus in the relegation battle.

Kauno Žalgiris will have the opportunity to lift the trophy in front of their home fans in their next match which will be against rivals and former champions FK Žalgiris.

FK Riteriai vs FC Hegelmann – 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: Mikulenas 47′ Denilson 88′

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 – 1:1
18.10.2025 – FK Riteriai vs FC Hegelmann – 2:0
18.10.2025 – FC Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Sūduva – 18:25