Kaunas district club FC Hegelmann saw their European dreams dashed before they could gather momentum. After a disappointing 0-1 defeat away to Dublin’s St Patrick’s Athletic in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, the Lithuanian side failed to turn things around at home. Following the match, head coach Andrius Skerla admitted his disappointment but emphasized the importance of moving forward.
“If you want to progress, you have to take your chances,” said Skerla in the post-match press conference. “We started the game fairly well, but things quickly turned. The opportunities we created often came just before they scored.
It’s frustrating because a 0-1 result away is still something you can build on, if you score. But when you don’t convert chances, you’re left dreaming. Once it became 0-2, that was it.”
Skerla acknowledged the quality of their opponents and didn’t shy away from admitting that St Patrick’s simply had more clinical attacking players.
“We lost to a team that, I believe, has better and more effective attackers. Playing one-on-one in both matches, home and away, was a challenge for us. We have one player, Leo Ribeiro, who can take on defenders, but the rest struggle. Individually, they were stronger.”
When asked what set the Irish side apart, Skerla pointed to the number of unforced errors his team committed, something he considers a fundamental part of football.
“They’re simply better on the ball. You don’t see them making the kind of unforced mistakes we make. It seems like a small detail, but it changes everything. You go from a promising counterattack to a misplaced pass, and in football, those are the moments that decide games. If you make too many mistakes like that, you’ll need a lot of luck to win. They were the better team tonight.”
Staying focused on domestic goals
Despite the European exit, Skerla remains committed to rallying his team for the rest of the season.
“Psychologically, it’s tough to take a hit like this, but it could also serve as motivation in the A Lyga. I believe we’ll bounce back. I don’t think anyone’s going to fall into a slump. Yes, I’m disappointed we couldn’t score in Europe, but the season isn’t over. We’ve still got plenty of matches in the league and the Lithuanian Cup.
It’s my job to lift them up, to help them recover, and to push for results in the A Lyga.”
Comparing to past European experiences
Asked to compare this performance with their previous European debut, Skerla reflected on their earlier 0-5 defeat.
“If you remember our first European match, we played without defenders. This time, we had defenders available, but even that wasn’t enough. We lost Jonathan Mulder and couldn’t do anything about it. Another player arrived too late for registration.
First and foremost, you need a solid defense. This year, we’re conceding too much. In the A Lyga we get away with it because we score more, but defensively I’m not happy. I keep saying it: whether it’s micro-injuries or other reasons, we just can’t find a consistent back line.”
Building a fan base: A long-term vision
A record crowd turned out at the home stadium for the match, and Skerla was asked what it would take for that to become the norm.
“We’re still a young club. This is only our fifth year in the A Lyga. Fans don’t just appear overnight, it takes time. I don’t know if we’ll ever fill this stadium regularly. Small-town clubs have deep histories. For us, it’s more complicated.
To attract more spectators, you need to produce results. Sometimes, incredible results. And even then, in Lithuania, that may not be enough.”
A growing community
The match saw many children wearing the club’s jerseys in the stands, signaling a growing fan base from the grassroots.
“The club has an academy, and there are a lot of kids involved. If you’re a child in the academy and there’s a senior team, of course you’ll dream of playing for it. That’s how a community is formed around the kids, around Raudondvaris. People are coming, but getting thousands to attend? That’s still a challenge.”
Source: https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/sportas/10/2612387/spragas-gynyboje-akcentaves-skerla-gyre-varzovus-ju-zaidime-tiek-klaidu-nepamatysi
