Kauno Žalgiris goes back-to-back and complete domestic treble

Kauno Žalgiris have been crowned Lithuanian Toplyga champions for the second consecutive season after coming from behind to defeat Hegelmann 4-1 away from home. Željko Sopic’s side secured the title with one round remaining, completing a historic domestic treble after previously winning the Lithuanian Super Cup and Lithuanian Cup.

Having missed their first opportunity to clinch the championship following a goalless derby against Vilnius Žalgiris in the previous round, Kauno Žalgiris travelled to face Hegelmann knowing that a single point would be enough to secure the title.

The defending champions had enjoyed a strong record against Hegelmann this season, winning both home encounters and drawing their previous visit to their opponents’ stadium.

However, the evening began in the worst possible fashion for Sopic’s side. Just two minutes into the match, a misplaced pass in midfield allowed Hegelmann to launch a counterattack. The ball eventually reached Dominykas Pašilys on the right flank, where he beat his marker before driving a powerful effort into the far bottom corner.

The early breakthrough gave Hegelmann their first lead against Kauno Žalgiris this season and temporarily delayed the visitors’ title celebrations. Kauno Žalgiris responded by immediately taking control of possession and pushing forward in search of an equaliser.

The visitors launched wave after wave of attacks, regularly delivering crosses into the penalty area. However, despite their territorial dominance, they initially struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a well-organised Hegelmann defence.

That changed midway through the first half, when the defending champions turned the match around with two goals in the space of three minutes.

The equaliser arrived in the 29th minute following a cross from Anton Tolordava into the penalty area. Leon Krekovic made an unmarked run into space and found himself in an excellent position to score. Although his initial attempt failed to connect cleanly, the Croatian reacted quickly and converted at the second attempt, beating goalkeeper Rokas Bagdonavičius to make it 1-1.

Just three minutes later, Kauno Žalgiris completed the turnaround after capitalising on a costly mistake by the hosts. Hegelmann lost possession outside their own penalty area, allowing the visitors to launch an immediate attack.

Anthony Kalik played the ball into the box for Vykintas Slivka, whose shot struck teammate Gabriel Debeljuh. The deflection completely wrong-footed Bagdonavičius, sending the ball into the net and giving Kauno Žalgiris a 2-1 advantage.

Having trailed after just two minutes, the visitors suddenly found themselves ahead and within touching distance of another league championship. The score remained unchanged until half-time, leaving Sopic’s side just 45 minutes away from securing the title.

Hegelmann interim manager Tadas Vilkevičius responded by making two substitutions at the interval, introducing Carlos Duke and Andrius Kaulinis. For Duke, it marked his first appearance since returning from injury, having last featured on August 8.

Despite the changes, Kauno Žalgiris continued to look the more threatening side after the restart. Within the opening minute of the second half, the visitors earned a free kick in a dangerous position, but Krekovic was unable to direct his effort on target.

As the half progressed, clear-cut opportunities became increasingly limited. Kauno Žalgiris continued to control possession and dictate the tempo, although they struggled to find the decisive third goal that would put the championship beyond doubt.

Hegelmann, meanwhile, remained within touching distance of an equaliser but were unable to generate sustained pressure on the visitors’ defence.

The decisive moment eventually arrived in the 78th minute. Amine Benchaib played the ball into the penalty area, where Slivka found space to shoot. His initial effort was blocked, sending the ball high into the air before it dropped back inside the box.

Hegelmann defender Vedan Radonja had an opportunity to clear the danger but failed to make contact, allowing Debeljuh to react quickest and finish from close range.

The Croatian’s second goal of the evening extended Kauno Žalgiris’ advantage to 3-1, effectively putting the title celebrations beyond doubt.

However, the visitors were not finished. In stoppage time, substitute Ivan Fiolic added a fourth goal to complete a comprehensive 4-1 victory and provide the perfect ending to a historic evening for the Kaunas club.

The final whistle confirmed Kauno Žalgiris as Lithuanian champions for the second consecutive season, securing the title with one match remaining.

More significantly, the victory completed a remarkable domestic treble for Sopic’s side, who had already lifted the Lithuanian Super Cup and Lithuanian Cup earlier in the campaign.

Kauno Žalgiris become the sixth Lithuanian club to achieve a domestic treble, but only the third to win all three trophies in a season featuring a separate Super Cup final, following Vilnius Žalgiris in 2016 and FK Sūduva in 2019.

Before 2016, the Lithuanian Super Cup was not contested when the same club won both the league and domestic cup, meaning several previous treble-winning campaigns did not require a separate Super Cup victory.

That distinction places Kauno Žalgiris alongside Vilnius Žalgiris and Sūduva in an exclusive group of clubs to have completed the treble by winning all three competitions on the pitch.

FC Hegelmann vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 1-4 (1-2)
Goals: Pašilys 2′ | Krekovic 29′, Debeljuh 32′ 78′, Fiolic 90+1′