Toplyga season opens in Vilnius with Žalgiris hosting Džiugas

The new Toplyga season begins today in Vilnius, where FK Žalgiris Vilnius will host FC Džiugas Telšiai at Sportima Arena in the opening match of the first round. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:15 local time.

Last season, Žalgiris experienced a difficult start and mid-season period, which led to the departures of long-time president Vilma Venslovaitienė and head coach Vladimir Cheburin. Interim head coach Rolandas Džiaukštas then took charge and won his first eight matches, stabilising results and helping the club secure a third-place finish and qualification for European competitions. Džiaukštas has since been appointed as permanent head coach. During the off-season, entrepreneur Tadas Burgaila became the club’s main shareholder, while Giedrius Klevinskas, previously associated with the development of FC Hegelmann, was named sporting director.

Džiugas continue their development as an established top-flight side and will compete in their sixth season in Lithuania’s highest division. The last two seasons have been the most successful in the club’s history, largely built on strong starts to the campaign. However, in both cases, results declined in the second half of the season, preventing a sustained challenge for a top-four finish. Pre-season projections place Džiugas among the teams expected to fight to avoid relegation. Last season’s example of DFK Dainava Alytus, who struggled early and were unable to recover, ultimately dropping to the second tier, highlights the importance of a strong start.

In last season’s head-to-head meetings, Žalgiris won three of four matches against Džiugas. All winning goals in those victories were scored in the second half. Two matches were decided by a one-goal margin, while one ended with a two-goal difference. The teams also opened the previous season against each other, with Žalgiris winning 2-1 at home. The decisive goal in that match was scored in the 71st minute by Gustas Jarusevičius.

Today’s match is the only fixture scheduled in the opening round. Three additional matches will be played tomorrow, and the round will conclude on Monday evening when reigning champions FK Kauno Žalgiris begin their season against FK Riteriai.

You can read the big Toplyga 2026 season preview here: