---
title: "Željko Sopić targets Brighton after Kauno Žalgiris lift LFF Cup"
date: 2026-10-11T19:48:56Z
lang: en
author: "Kristupas Kamarauskas"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/zeljko-sopic-targets-brighton-after-kauno-zalgiris-lift-lff-cup/
categories: ["Lithuania", "Lithuanian Cup"]
---

# Željko Sopić targets Brighton after Kauno Žalgiris lift LFF Cup
**Kauno Žalgiris won the Lithuanian Football Cup for the first time in their history on Sunday afternoon, beating Minija 3-0 in the final at Darius and Girėnas Stadium. The cup adds to last season’s league title and this season’s Lithuanian Super Cup.**

Leon Kreković opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, finishing a quick attack to put the Lithuanian champions ahead. Amine Benchaib struck the post from the penalty spot after a VAR review in the 35th minute, before Gabriel Debeljuh doubled the lead six minutes into the second half following a defensive error. Marko Konatar completed the scoring in the 73rd minute.

Kauno Žalgiris head coach Željko Sopić said his side had dominated the match and could have settled the contest earlier had Benchaib converted his penalty. He praised his players’ performances and work in training, while describing the club’s first Lithuanian Cup triumph as a significant personal achievement.

“I want to congratulate both Minija and my boys. The fact that they reached this stage is a huge success. Speaking about the match, you know, if we had converted the penalty, everything would have been much simpler. However, I think we clearly dominated on the pitch. On the other hand, if you do not take your chances, it is normal for the opposition to create one or two opportunities during the match. Today they did not score, but I think that if we had converted the penalty, everything would have been over after 20-25 minutes. Ultimately, I can only say that I am extremely proud of my boys. The way they played today, the way they train, the way they work every day. It is something wonderful,” Sopić said.

The Croatian added that winning the cup was one of the reasons he had been appointed, and that his team would now turn their attention to Brighton. Kauno Žalgiris are due to face the Premier League side in England in their first league-phase match in the UEFA Conference League.

“Yes, Brighton are a slightly better team. Not much, but slightly better,” Sopić joked. “They have a very good coach, they are a top-level team. There is also a Croatian player there, Luka Vušković. It is a huge challenge for us, but we will prepare well. I hope we give everything we can on the pitch, and then everything is in God’s hands.”

Captain Fedor Černych, who came on as a substitute, said the historic achievement made the victory especially rewarding. He also praised Minija for their performance in the final, despite the difference in quality between the sides.

“It is always nice to win a trophy. And knowing that this is the first such victory in Kauno Žalgiris’ history makes the joy twice as great. We are very happy. I think the whole city and all our supporters are celebrating with us. We largely controlled the match, but I have to say that Minija looked pretty good. They tried to resist and fought, but in the end the difference in the teams’ quality became clear,” Černych said.

Minija, who play in Lithuania’s second tier, reached the final after eliminating top-flight sides Sūduva and Panevėžys. The Kretinga club had scored 23 goals in five cup matches before facing Kauno Žalgiris, who had reached the final without conceding.

Head coach Darius Gvildys acknowledged that his side had been beaten by the stronger team, while pointing to the opportunity to equalise before half-time. Minija had their best chance when Julius Kasparavičius was denied by Kauno Žalgiris goalkeeper Deividas Mikelionis.

“You know, the Cinderella story had to end at some point. Today we saw that the boys gave everything, but Kauno Žalgiris were simply stronger and more precise in the details. Of course, we had a very good chance to equalise in the first half. If we had scored, the situation and the psychology could have changed dramatically. At the start of the second half, we conceded too quickly. Against a team like this, coming back from a two-goal deficit is too difficult for us at this stage,” Gvildys said.

The Minija coach thanked his players and supporters after the final, highlighting the importance of the occasion for Kretinga. The club had returned to the final for the first time in 56 years and were backed by supporters who travelled to Kaunas from the coastal town.

**Source**: [https://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/futbolas/pelenes-istorija-uzbaiges-kauno-zalgirio-vedlys-braukdamas-pergales-lasus-jau-snairavo-i-anglija-24-2782308](https://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/futbolas/pelenes-istorija-uzbaiges-kauno-zalgirio-vedlys-braukdamas-pergales-lasus-jau-snairavo-i-anglija-24-2782308)