FK Žalgiris

This article is about the football club from Vilnius. For the football club from Kaunas, see FK Kauno Žalgiris.
Žalgiris Vilnius
Full name Vilniaus miesto futbolo draugija "Žalgiris"[1]
Nickname(s) Žaliai Balti (The Green Whites)
Founded 1947
Ground LFF Stadium
Ground Capacity 5,400
Ground Coordinates 54°40′07″N 25°17′39″E / 54.66861°N 25.29417°E / 54.66861; 25.29417Coordinates: 54°40′07″N 25°17′39″E / 54.66861°N 25.29417°E / 54.66861; 25.29417
Chairman Vilma Venslovaitienė
Head Coach Valdas Dambrauskas
League A Lyga
2016 A Lyga, 1st
Website Club home page

FK Žalgiris is a professional football club based in Vilnius, Lithuania. The club competes in A lyga, the top flight of Lithuanian football. The club was founded as Dinamo in 1947. They won the Lithuanian Championship 6 times, Lithuanian Football Cup 10 times and Lithuanian Supercup 5 times.

The team's colours are green and white. The club plays at LFF stadium in Vilnius which has a capacity of 5,400.

Name history

The club went through various name changes during its history:

History

Foundation and Soviet period

The first incarnation of the club played in 1946 as a national team of Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic when it competed in USSR Group III Zone 4 championship and it was one of the clubs which represented one of the Soviet republics. The club consisted of Spartakas Kaunas and Dinamo Kaunas players. Their first match was against Stroitel Moscow which ended 1–1 and they were managed by French coach Emil Pastor. That year they finished in fourth place in RSFSR Western Zone championship.[2]

The club is thought to have been founded in 1947 when it was moved from Kaunas to Vilnius and its name was changed to Dinamo Vilnius.[3] The next year club changed its name to Spartakas Vilnius and used this name until the end of 1961 season. In 1962 they changed their name to Žalgiris.

Žalgiris competed in Soviet Union football league system from 1947 to 1989. The club's most successful season was in 1987 when they finished the season in third place in Soviet Top League and qualified for 1988–89 UEFA Cup where they played against FK Austria Wien. The club represented the Soviet Union at 1987 Summer Universiade which they won by defeating the South Korean team. In the following season they finished fifth and again qualified for UEFA Cup where they faced IFK Göteborg in the first round and Red Star Belgrade in the second. In 1989 the club finished in fourth place and for third year in a row qualified for UEFA Cup. They managed to play one game in 1990 at the start of the season before withdrawing due to re-establishment of Lithuania's independence and joined the Baltic League which consisted of clubs from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Therefore, they lost their place in UEFA Cup, which was taken by Chornomorets Odesa.[4]

1990–2007

After restoring Lithuania's independence, the club started competing in the newly founded A Lyga. During this period the club saw further success by winning the Lithuanian championship three times (1991, 1991–92, 1998–99) along with various second and third-place finishes.

2008–present

The club ceased its operations after the 2008 season due to financial problems. Team players, coaches and fans of the club (Pietų IV) who were seeking to save the name of Žalgiris detached from FK Žalgiris and on February 23, 2009, established VMFD Žalgiris [5] The new side was allowed in to the Lithuanian 1 Lyga (second-tier league), and then returned to the top division next season.

For the 2011 season Žalgiris had new head coach Vitalijus Stankevičius. Žalgiris kept the core of the team and signed contracts with 10 newcomers. The team theoretically had the ability to compete with FK Ekranas to win the Lithuanian champion title 3 tours before end of season but lost to FK Sūduva and finished in the second place.

For the 2012 season Žalgiris began with new head coach - Croatian Damir Petravič. The most successful player from the last season Deivydas Matulevičius was loaned to Cracovia Kraków. 10 new players joined Žalgiris including former Heart of Midlothian forward Calum Elliot. After half a year in Kraków D. Matulevičius returned to Vilnius due to Cracovia being relegated from Polish Ekstraklasa and losing the right to sign contract with 23-year-old forward. Lithuanian Football Cup in LFF Cup final Žalgiris won after penalties against champion Ekranas Panevėžys and after 9 years got that trophy. After 90 minutes and extra time result was 0–0. After they lost a match in UEFA Europe League qualification round against FC Admira Wacker Mödling from Austria, Žalgiris changed head coach. Marek Zub began to train the team. Žalgiris finished second in Lithuanian A League for the second year in a row.

At the beginning of the 2013 season Žalgiris defeated Ekranas Panevėžys and won the Lithuanian Supercup. Two years in a row the team won Lithuanian Cup. Žalgiris defeated FK Šiauliai after penalties. The team played successfully in UEFA Europa League qualification round. They eliminated St Patrick's Athletic from Ireland, Pyunik from Armenia and Lech Poznań from Poland. Žalgiris was defeated by Red Bull Salzburg in the play-off round. After 14 years the team became Lithuanian champion. They overtook Atlantas Klaipėda by 2 points.

Stadium

Main article: LFF Stadium
LFF stadium's Eastern stand.

For the majority of the time Žalgiris played in Žalgiris Stadium. This stadium is the biggest in Lithuania and has a capacity of 15,029.

Since 2011 Žalgiris plays in LFF Stadium (Lithuanian Football Federation stadium). This arena, formerly known as Vėtra Stadium, was built in 2004 and holds up 5,500 people.

After the bankruptcy of FK Vėtra football club, LFF took control of the stadium.

Currently it is under construction to meet level 3 UEFA stadium status. The capacity will be extended to 8,000.

It is situated 400 metres up the Aušros vartų and Liepkalnio streets from the Gate of Dawn (Lithuanian: Aušros vartai)

Kit

From the establishment of the club, Žalgiris colours are green and white, therefore the kit is green and white striped jersey and green/white variation of shorts and socks. In the past there have also been checkered green-white jersey designs. Away kits are usually plain white or green.

Kit manufacturers

Period Kit manufacturer
2009–2012 Hummel
2013–2015 Kappa[6]
2016– Nike[7]

Supporters

Pietų IV

The official club of Žalgiris' fans is named Pietų IV. The members of Pietų IV support the team during every game in Lithuania and in Europe and never leave the team alone. This community is united by their love and loyalty to Žalgiris. Pietų IV is the leader of organised supporting in Baltic states.

The establishment date of Pietų IV is considered October, 1985. Since that time fans have been supporting the team while singing, waving flags and creating impressive choreography. Fans helped Žalgiris to survive the financial crisis. During hard periods they organized various events and collected enough money to remain. Pietų IV and the managers of the club together are the founders of Žalgiris Vilnius.

Achievements

1991, 1991–92, 1998–99, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
1991, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 2003, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016
2003, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
1982

Club ranking

UEFA coefficient

For more details on this topic, see UEFA coefficient.

Correct as of 4 August 2016.[8] The table shows the position of FK Žalgiris (highlighted), based on their UEFA coefficient club ranking, and four clubs, which are closest to Žalgiris position (the two clubs with the higher coefficient and the two with the lower coefficient).

2017 2016 Mvmt. Club 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017 Coeff.
210 148 Fall -62 Romania FC Vaslui 2.8600 1.3750 1.0250 0.4500 0.1200 5.830
210 188 Fall -22 Romania FC Dinamo București 2.8600 1.3750 1.0250 0.4500 0.1200 5.830
212 269 Rise +57 Lithuania FK Žalgiris 0.7250 1.7500 1.1000 1.1500 1.1000 5.825
213 224 Rise +11 Slovakia MŠK Žilina 1.3000 1.3250 0.5500 2.2500 0.3750 5.800
214 256 Rise +42 Wales The New Saints F.C. 1.1000 1.1500 1.0250 1.3000 1.2000 5.775

Participation in European cups

Season Competition Round Country Club Score Agg.
1988–89
UEFA Cup
1/32
Austria
Austria Wien
2–0, 2–5
4–5
1989–90
UEFA Cup
1R
Sweden
IFK Göteborg
2–0, 0–1
2–1
2R
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Red Star Belgrade
1–4, 0–1
1–5
1992–93
UEFA Champions League
1R
Netherlands
PSV Eindhoven
0–6, 0–2
0–8
1993–94
Cup Winners' Cup
1Q
Slovakia
MFK Košice
0–2, 0–1
0–3
1994–95
Cup Winners' Cup
1Q
Wales
Barry Town
1–0, 6–0
7–0
1R
Netherlands
Feyenoord
1–1, 1–2
2–3
1995–96
Cup Winners' Cup
1Q
Slovenia
NK Mura
2–0, 1–2
3–2
1R
Turkey
Trabzonspor
2–2, 0–1
2–3
1996–97
UEFA Cup
PR
Northern Ireland
Crusaders
2–0, 1–2
3–2
1R
Scotland
Aberdeen
1–4, 3–1
4–5
1997–98
Cup Winners' Cup
1Q
Israel
Hapoel Be'er Sheva
0–0, 1–2
1–2
1998–99
UEFA Cup
1Q
Iceland
ÍA
2–3, 1–0
3–3 (a)
2Q
Norway
Brann
0–1, 0–0
0–1
1999–00
UEFA Champions League
1Q
Armenia
Araks Ararat
2–0, 3–0
5–0
2Q
Ukraine
Dynamo Kyiv
0–2, 0–1
0–3
2000–01
UEFA Cup
1Q
Poland
Ruch Chorzów
2–1, 0–6
2–7
2001–02
UEFA Cup
1Q
Israel
Maccabi Tel Aviv
0–6, 0–1
0–7
2002
UEFA Intertoto Cup
1R
Hungary
Budapest Honvéd
1–0, 0–0
1–0
2R
France
Sochaux
0–2, 1–2
1–4
2003
UEFA Intertoto Cup
1R
Sweden
Örgryte IS
1–1, 0–3
1–4
2004–05
UEFA Cup
1Q
Northern Ireland
Portadown
2–2, 2–0
4–2
1Q
Denmark
Aalborg BK
1–3, 0–0
1–3
2005
UEFA Intertoto Cup
1R
Northern Ireland
Lisburn Distillery
1–0, 1–0
2–0
2R
Latvia
Dinaburg
2–0, 1–2
3–2
3R
Greece
Egaleo
3–1, 2–3
5–4
1/2
Romania
CFR Cluj
1–2, 1–5
2–7
2012–13
Europa League
2Q
Austria
Admira Wacker Mödling
1–1, 1–5
2–6
2013–14
Europa League
1Q
Republic of Ireland
St Patrick's Athletic
2–2, 2–1
4–3
2Q
Armenia
Pyunik
2–0, 1–1
3–1
3Q
Poland
Lech Poznań
1–0, 1–2
2–2 (a)
PO
Austria
Red Bull Salzburg
0–5, 0–2
0–7
2014–15
Champions League
2Q
Croatia
Dinamo Zagreb
0–2, 0–2
0-4
2015–16
Champions League
2Q
Sweden
Malmö FF
0–0, 0–1
0–1
2016–17
Champions League
2Q
Kazakhstan
Astana
0–0, 1–2
1–2

Participation in Lithuanian championships

Staff

As of January 5, 2016.[9]

Position Name
Chairman Lithuania Vilma Venslovaitienė
Director of sport Lithuania Mindaugas Nikoličius
Commercial-technical director Lithuania Andriejus Ovčinikovas
Head coach Lithuania Valdas Dambrauskas
Assistant coach Lithuania Rolandas Džiaukštas
Assistant coach Lithuania Andrius Skerla
Club doctor Lithuania Tomas Jonaitis

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Lithuania GK Armantas Vitkauskas
2 Lithuania DF Linas Klimavičius
5 Netherlands DF Donovan Slijngard
6 Senegal DF Mamadou Mbodj
7 Croatia MF Slavko Blagojević
8 Lithuania DF Egidijus Vaitkūnas (C)
9 Portugal MF Jorge Chula
12 Lithuania GK Karolis Čirba
18 Lithuania DF Aldas Korsakas
20 Lithuania DF Dominykas Barauskas
21 Lithuania MF Vytautas Lukša
No. Position Player
22 Lithuania MF Justas Lasickas
23 Lithuania MF Saulius Mikoliūnas
27 Serbia MF Matija Ljujić
28 Lithuania FW Julius Momkus
33 Bosnia and Herzegovina FW Bahrudin Atajić
55 Lithuania GK Saulius Klevinskas
71 Lithuania DF Jonas Skinderis
75 Lithuania MF Ernestas Stočkūnas
80 Brazil FW Elivelto
88 Lithuania MF Mantas Kuklys
99 Serbia FW Andrija Kaluđerović

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
Lithuania DF Georgas Freidgeimas (on loan to Irtysh Pavlodar)
Lithuania MF Daniel Romanovskij (on loan to Utenis)
Lithuania MF Tautvydas Eliošius (on loan to Lietava)
Lithuania FW Simonas Stankevičius (on loan to HNK Šibenik)

International players

  • Lithuania Justas Lasickas (U-21)
  • Lithuania Aldas Korsakas (U-21)
  • Lithuania Julius Momkus (U-21)
  • Lithuania Ernestas Stočkūnas (U-19)
  • Lithuania Oskaras Lukošiūnas (U-19)
  • Lithuania Lukas Vaičiūnas (U-19)
  • Lithuania Erik Motuz (U-19)
  • Lithuania Artūr Dolžnikov (U-17)
  • Lithuania Arnold Baulin (U-17)
  • Lithuania Karolis Uzėla (U-17)

Youth squad

Žalgiris-B

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
12 Lithuania GK Karolis Čirba
35 Lithuania GK Pijus Petkevičius
59 Lithuania GK Airidas Mickevičius
18 Lithuania DF Aldas Korsakas
20 Lithuania DF Dominykas Barauskas
30 Lithuania DF Oskaras Lukošiūnas
37 Lithuania DF Artūras Lukša
45 Ukraine DF Gleb Khrushchev
50 Lithuania DF Arminas Čivilis
98 Lithuania DF Arnas Valvonis
14 Lithuania MF Karolis Uzėla
22 Lithuania MF Justas Lasickas
32 Lithuania MF Martin Moroz
No. Position Player
44 Lithuania MF Lukas Vaičiūnas
71 Lithuania MF Jonas Skinderis
75 Lithuania MF Ernestas Stočkūnas
87 Lithuania MF Donatas Jokubauskas
89 Lithuania MF Erik Motuz
19 Lithuania FW Edvinas Baniulis
28 Lithuania FW Julius Momkus
31 Lithuania FW Edgar Kudzin
41 Lithuania FW Osvaldas Čipkus
85 Lithuania FW Ignas Kružikas
87 Lithuania FW Artūr Dolžnikov
91 Lithuania MF Artiom Gončarenko

VFM-Žalgiris U-19

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player

Player of the Year

Lists of the winners of Žalgiris Vilnius. Player of the Year Award instituted from 2004 as voted by the official members of Žalgiris' supporters club - Pietų IV:

Famous players

Notable players

Coaches

Marek Zub 2013 and 2014 A Lyga champion as FC Žalgiris Vilnius coach

References

  1. "Administracija". Fkzalgiris.lt. Vilniaus miesto futbolo draugija "Žalgiris". Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  2. Vytautas Saulis ir Gediminas Kalinauskas. „Lietuvos futbolas, 1922-1997 m.: istorinė apybraiža“ // Vilnius, „Diemedis“, 1997. 55 p.
  3. Vytautas Saulis ir Gediminas Kalinauskas. „Lietuvos futbolas, 1922-1997 m.: istorinė apybraiža“ // Vilnius, „Diemedis“, 1997. 53 p.
  4. "1981 - 1990". Lithuanian Football Federation. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  5. "ISTORIJA". FK Žalgiris. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  6. "Žalgiris sign Kappa kit Deal". FK Žalgiris. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  7. Suslavičius, Martynas. "Juodame futbolo fone – Vilniaus "Žalgiris" ir Lietuvos svajonė" (in Lithuanian). Lietuvos Rytas. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  8. "UEFA Team Ranking 2016". kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  9. "Apie klubą". Retrieved 17 June 2015.

External links

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