The football journey that was needed by both fans and entrepreneurs

2026-08-14 22:30 © E. Žaldario

In Lithuania, people lived football not only from June 11 to July 19, when the World Cup ended, but also afterwards, because both "Žalgiris" teams, with their outreach, which until now has been somewhat unusual, helped to see that football is alive in Lithuania.

The wonderful journey of Vilnius "Žalgiris" in Europe greatly contributed to the interest and agitation, which was needed by everyone - not only the ordinary viewer but also entrepreneurs, for whom important decisions will be made in the near future for better or worse.

The legendary capital's football club made it to the third stage of the Conference League qualifiers, where the Split "Hajduk" barrier ultimately proved insurmountable. Up to that point, a miracle had occurred.

The Journey in the Conference League

In the first round, "Žalgiris" confidently dealt with Montenegro's "Petrovac," whose chances were to end in sunny Liepkalnis. In the same Liepkalnis, after two weeks, a football miracle was demonstrated when they managed to "recuperate" a three-goal deficit against Tbilisi's "Dinamo." At the stadium "on the carpet," the miracle was witnessed up close by notable people such as Giedrius Žibėnas, Ingrida Šimonytė, Gytis Masiulis, regular loyal "Žalgiris" fans, foreign football influencers, and the entire new "Žalgiris" management with entrepreneur Tad Burgaila at the helm. People experienced euphoria up close, and those behind the screen also rejoiced, confirming that football exists not only somewhere far away, in this case, summer in North America, but also here - in Lithuania, in our yard. This is very good. It is a sign that next year Lithuania's clubs' battles in Europe will again be visible on accessible television - to be honest, there will not even be questions.

Tad Burgaila has been mentioned, whose money has revived "Žalgiris," speaking bluntly. He, like his buddies Vytautas Krutulis and Erikas Mališauskas, could fall in love with football with their own eyes. If the club's president Andrius Tapinas has seen football here and there and this isn't the first time he adds his hand, then these men should be particularly motivated after this journey.

There is also another important thing with Burgaila. He is a businessman who loves risk, but he sees potential rewards in that risk. So far, football is a passion, but that passion can turn into tangible things, and this journey brings that closer.

The Issue of the National Stadium Operator is Being Decided

As Andrius Tapinas said, "Žalgiris" doesn't necessarily want to be the main operator of the national stadium, as there would be a lot of issues to deal with, but "Žalgiris" has to be an important part of the new project, which, it seems, will finally happen (after so many years). Here there will be an opportunity to speed up processes. Realistically, if in Lithuania you want to be a successful football club doing business every year, then you need to play at least in the main stage of the Europa League every year - you have to be a participant in Europe. Is that realistic? Probably more realistic than anyone could have thought before these "Žalgiris" advances.

So the main shareholder of Vilnius "Žalgiris" clearly understands this opportunity, with the national stadium, with potential "sold-outs," with even greater excitement for Lithuanian football, and that is the reason to be here. After this journey, there are probably no questions about being here. Tapinas understands this, but he is not the one who needs to do business.

Achievements 100 km Away

100 kilometers from Vilnius, another journey is taking place, but it is still too early to sing praises about it, as its conclusion will be at the earliest in December. There the situation is somewhat clearer - there is a stadium that can be utilized, and behind "Kauno Žalgiris" is the very own Kaunas "Žalgiris" basketball club, working almost impeccably and the same entrepreneurs regarding "Tesonet." The Kaunas club is still looking for ways to use all possible channels to their advantage. As Mantas Kalnietis said before the match with "Dinamo" in Kaunas, there are many new things to get acquainted with and still need to, as at least they will be in the Conference League, which is yet another victory for Lithuanian football, which has seen such things only once - four years ago, when Vilnius "Žalgiris" played in the main stage of the Conference League.

Club-level Lithuanian football is growing. However, there are still questions in the capital that will determine the interest of moneyed uncles.