FK Žalgiris

This article is about the footbal club from Vilnius. For the football club from Kaunas, see FK Kauno Žalgiris.
Žalgiris Vilnius
Full name FK Žalgiris Vilnius[1]
Nickname(s) Žaliai Balti (The Green Whites)
Founded 1947
Ground LFF Stadium
Ground Capacity 5,067
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
2015 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 (9 times) and Lithuanian Supercup (4 times).

The team's colours are green and white. The club plays at LFF stadium in Vilnius (capacity 5,067).

History

Early years

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 the only club among others which represented one of 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 won fourth place in RSFSR Western Zone championship.[2]

The foundation of the club is considered 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. For 1962 they changed their name to Žalgiris.

Žalgiris competed in Soviet Union football league system from 1947 to 1989. 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. 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]

Back to Lithuanian league

After regaining Independence, FK Žalgiris started to play in Lithuanian league. On March 9th 1990 the club played the last game in Soviet Union football league against Cernomorec Odessa (0:1). During 1990 almost all top players have left the club, only Valdemaras Martinkėnas and Gintautas Kvitkauskas remaining at the team. Virginijus Baltušnikas also played for FK Žalgiris in 1991.

Since the beginning of Lithuanian league FK Žalgiris haven’t left the podium for a long time, winning the 3rd spot in the league and competing in the Cup final during the first season. Until the year of 2002 FK Žalgiris have finished 1st in Lithuanian league for three times (1991, 1992 and 1999), 2nd for seven times (1993-1995, 1997-1998, 2000-2001), 3rd place – three times (1990, 1996 and 2002). During this time the club also have won Lithuanian Cup five times (1991, 1993-1994, 1997 and 2004), Lithuanian Supercup – one time (2003).

During following years the club haven’t shown the same form and until the club crisis on 2008 didn‘t win any titles.

Rise from the ashes and 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.

Žalgiris won bronze medals in 2010 season. It could have an opportunity to victory silver but played as draw 0–0 with direct opponents Sūduva Marijampolė in the last game of season Artūras Jeršovas became the top scorer of Žalgiris. He scored 11 goals in Lithuanian championship. Žalgiris became the most correct team in A League 2010.

In 2011-2012 seasons Žalgiris finished in the second place of Lithuanian league, having only one point deficit against champions Ekranas Panevėžys in 2012. Since the season of 2012 started club‘s revival, which was saturated with lots of trophies. During this period Žalgiris has won Lithuanian league three times in a row (2013-2015), Lithuanian Cup record breaking four times (2012-2015) and Lithuanian Supercup three times in a row (2012-2014).

2013-2014 was a successful year in UEFA Europe league qualification, as Žalgiris eliminated three clubs: 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. In 2014-2015 season Žagiris competed in UEFA Champions league qualification, but lost to Dinamo Zagreb in the 2nd round. In 2015-2016 season Žalgiris also competed in UEFA Champions league, having lost to Malmo FF (Sweden) in 2nd qualification round.

On 25th of November 2014 Žalgiris Vilnius have regained its historical name and changed VMFD to FK.

Club name, crest and colors

Name evolution

The club went through various name changes during its history:

Crest evolution

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 has 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
2016– Nike

Stadium

LFF stadium's Eastern stand.

For most of the time Žalgiris played in Žalgiris Stadium. This stadium is the biggest in Lithuania and holds 15,029 viewers.

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 5,067 people.

After the bankrupt 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)

The address of the stadium: Liepkalnio 13/2, Vilnius.

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
1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
2003, 2012, 2013, 2014
1982

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
Malmo FF
 0–0, 0–1
0–1
2016–17
Champions League
2Q

Club officials

Administration

Coaching staff

Youth team and academy coaching staff

Medical staff

Players

First-team squad

As of 10 Feb 2016 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
4 Croatia MF Marin Matoš
5 Netherlands DF Donovan Slijngard
6 Senegal DF Mamadou Mbodj
7 Belarus MF Yury Kendysh
8 Lithuania DF Egidijus Vaitkūnas
9 Portugal MF Jorge Chula
10 Brazil FW Lucas Gaúcho
11 Lithuania FW Simonas Stankevičius
13 Lithuania FW Daniel Romanovskij
15 Lithuania DF Lukas Valvonis
16 Lithuania FW Darius Kazubovičius
17 Lithuania MF Tautvydas Eliošius
No. Position Player
18 Lithuania DF Aldas Korsakas
19 Lithuania FW Edvinas Baniulis
20 Lithuania DF Dominykas Barauskas
21 Lithuania MF Vytautas Lukša
22 Lithuania MF Justas Lasickas
26 Lithuania DF Marius Žaliūkas
28 Lithuania FW Julius Momkus
31 Lithuania MF Saulius Mikoliūnas
33 Bosnia and Herzegovina FW Bahrudin Atajić
55 Lithuania GK Saulius Klevinskas
71 Lithuania GK Karolis Čirba
77 Lithuania MF Linas Pilibaitis
80 Brazil FW Elivelto
88 Lithuania MF Mantas Kuklys

International players

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
72 Lithuania GK Pijus Petkevičius
6 Lithuania DF Haroldas Šidlauskas
27 Lithuania DF Artūras Tkačius
29 Lithuania DF Edvinas Morinas
32 Lithuania DF Martin Moroz
40 Lithuania DF Deividas Alekna
64 Lithuania DF Benediktas Jokubauskas
96 Lithuania DF Karolis Žudys
26 Lithuania MF Erik Motuz
No. Position Player
37 Lithuania MF Artūras Lukša
44 Lithuania MF Lukas Vaičiūnas
66 Lithuania MF Rokas Vaitiekaitis
66 Lithuania MF Donatas Jokubauskas
70 Lithuania MF Tomas Tubutis
75 Lithuania MF Ernestas Stočkūnas
41 Lithuania FW Osvaldas Čipkus
42 Lithuania FW Edgar Kudzin

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

  • Lithuania Voldemaras Jaškevičius (1947)
  • Lithuania Jaroslavas Citavičius (1947–48)
  • Lithuania Georgijus Glazkovas (1948–51)
  • Lithuania Andrejus Protasovas (1951)
  • Lithuania Jurijus Chodotovas (1952–53)
  • Lithuania Stasys Paberžis (1953–57)
  • Lithuania Vytautas Saunoris (1958–60)
  • Lithuania Zenonas Ganusauskas (1961–62)
  • Lithuania Serafimas Cholodkovas (1963–65)
  • Lithuania Juozas Vaškelis (1966–67)
  • Lithuania Algirdas Vosylius (1968–71)
  • Lithuania Serafimas Cholodkovas (1971–73)
  • Lithuania Algirdas Klimkevičius (1974–76)
  • Lithuania Benjaminas Zelkevičius (Jan 1, 1977–May 1, 1983)
  • Lithuania Algimantas Liubinskas (Jan 1, 1983–Dec 31, 1985)
  • Lithuania Benjaminas Zelkevičius (April 1, 1985–Oct 1, 1991)

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.

External links

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