"Kauno Žalgiris" became Lithuanian champions again

2026-10-31 20:01 © Reuters

The TOPLYGA champions were determined in Round 35. „Kauno Žalgiris“ defeated „Hegelmann“ 3:1 (2:1) and won the championship title for the second consecutive year.

The blue-and-whites started the match with a bang – after just two minutes, Dominykas Pašilys beat Žalgiris goalkeeper Tomas Švedkauskas with a shot into the bottom corner.

After conceding the goal, Željko Sopić’s charges responded. Joris Moutachy and Gabriel Debeljuh tested the goal defended by Rokas Bagdonavičius with dangerous efforts for Žalgiris.

In the second half of the first period, the pressure paid off – in the 29th minute, Leon Kreković restored parity, and moments later Gabriel Debeljuh, who got in the way of Vykintas Slivka’s shot, put the green-and-whites ahead.

The second half was full of tough challenges, emotion and cards, while Tadas Vilkevičius’s charges created a good opportunity to equalize in the 75th minute. However, Donatas Kazlauskas failed to connect with Andrius Kaulinis’s sharp cross.

The blue-and-whites were punished for failing to take their chance – the defenders blocked Vykintas Slivka’s attempt, but Gabriel Debeljuh pounced on the loose ball to secure Žalgiris’s advantage, while Ivan Fiolić added another goal in stoppage time.

With 58 points, „Kauno Žalgiris“ consolidated their position at the top of the league table and became TOPLYGA champions, while „Hegelmann“, having played their final match of the season, finished the championship with 26 points in eighth place.