Lithuanian international Lukas Michelbrink helped Energie Cottbus begin their 2. Bundesliga campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Hannover, while fellow Lithuanians Kipras Kažukolovas and Artūr Dolžnikov were also in league action on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Michelbrink, who made his senior Lithuania debut in March, is spending a second consecutive season on loan at Energie Cottbus from fellow 2. Bundesliga side Hertha BSC.
Last season, the midfielder registered six assists in 30 league appearances as Cottbus finished second in the 3. Liga to secure promotion to Germany’s second tier.
Michelbrink retained his place in the starting line-up for the club’s opening 2. Bundesliga fixture. Both sides found the net once before half-time, but Cottbus took control after the break, scoring twice to seal an impressive 3-1 victory in front of their home supporters.
The Lithuanian midfielder played the full 90 minutes. Cottbus return to league action next Sunday with an away trip to Arminia Bielefeld.
In the Kazakhstan Premier League, Kipras Kažukolovas also completed the full match as Astana came from behind to defeat Okzhetpes 2-1 at home.
The 25-year-old centre-back made his eighth league appearance of the season as Astana remained third in the standings with 38 points after 20 matches, sitting 11 points behind leaders Ordabasy. Astana’s next league fixture comes next Sunday away against Kyzylzhar.
Meanwhile, in the Czech First League, Artūr Dolžnikov and Slovacko remain without a victory after suffering a 1-0 away defeat to Jablonec.
The Lithuanian winger started for the second consecutive league match and played 79 minutes before being substituted. Jablonec scored the only goal of the game in the 62nd minute.
Slovácko have collected just one point from their opening three league matches, with Dolžnikov featuring in all three fixtures and starting the last two. Next weekend’s match will be a special occasion for the Lithuanian as Slovacko host his former club, Sigma Olomouc.
