FK Sūduva Marijampolė

FK SūdMar

Full name	Football Club Sūduva
Nickname(s)	Suvalkiečiai (Sudovians)
Founded	1921
Ground	ARVI Football Arena
Ground Capacity	6,250
Chairman	Vidmantas Murauskas
Manager	Vladimir Cheburin
League	A Lyga
2016	3rd
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours Third colours

FK Sūduva is a professional football club based in the city of Marijampolė, Lithuania. Founded in 1921, they currently play in the Lithuanian top division, the A lyga.

The club has played in the A lyga since 2002 and have never been relegated from the Lithuanian top division. In 2006 the team won the Lithuanian Cup, a feat they repeated in 2009 with a 1–0 victory over Tauras in the final.^[1]

The team's colours are white and red. The club plays at ARVI Football Arena in Marijampolė (capacity 6,250).

Name history

• 1941 - Žagrė
• 1942 - Sūduva
• 1945 - Žalgiris
• 1949 - Spartakas
• 1951 - Žalgiris
• 1952 - KTŪ Žalgiris
• 1963 - Sūduva
• 1993 - Sūduva-Žydrius
• 1994 - Sūduva

History

Soviet times

Sūduva is one of the oldest and still functioning clubs in Lithuania. It is not so easy to trace its history, as in Soviet times it often changed names with every new factory that supported it. It is more or less agreed that officially this club has existed under the name of Sūduva since 1968.

During Soviet times it drifted between different local leagues, producing few footballers for the above-mentioned Žalgiris and slowly building a local football community. Football was also actively played in a few smaller towns around Marijampolė, thus making the community of football lovers even stronger. Actually it was stronger than the club itself, and those who follow the team today are adding to the old tradition.

The biggest achievement of the club during Soviet times came in 1975 when Sūduva reached 3rd place at the local top division. The next year it played and lost the National Cup Final. That was more or less it.

1990-2001

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union Sūduva got few chances to go up. It played the only Baltic championship in 1990 with teams from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Next year it tried the Lithuanian top division. Both efforts were terrible – Sūduva finished both championships as the last team collecting 7 points at the Baltic championship and only 2 at the Lithuanian league.

Later the team navigated between the 2nd and the 3rd divisions for some 10 years without decent funds or a truly professional attitude. The worst was the season of 1998 / 1999. The team started well at the 2nd division but left it after half a season because it had no funds. It was not the end. The football traditions were too strong.

The team recovered next season at the 3rd division, won it the following year, went up and won again. This rise continues up to this day.

2002-present

The season of 2002 shaped the future. The team reached the top division. It also reached the finals of the National Cup and gained the chance to take part in the UEFA Cup. But the most important thing was that it also got new owners who were determined to create a normally functioning and financially predictable club. The European campaign of that year added some good emotions to the general hype.

The semi-professional team vanquished Brann from Norway during its first European match (3–2 both away and at home) and went to Glasgow to meet Celtic. This match was not so successful (actually, the result is still featured in the statistics of Celtic as one of the biggest victories in Europe). But no one cared – the fundamentals for the revival were laid.

Three more seasons at the middle of the table and the team reached 3rd place – 30 years after the achievement of the same caliber. Repeating that history, the club reached the finals of the National Cup the following year. Only this time the Cup went to Marijampolė.

Since that year Sūduva have been one of the most stable clubs of the country – both financially and on the league table. It reached 2nd position twice (2007 and 2010), 3rd position – three times (2009, 2011 and 2012) and won the National Cup one more time (2008). It went to play European cups every year receiving teams like Rapid, Red Bull and Club Brugge.

The year 2013 saw a new concept of the team. The budget was still stable but it went down. So the team expressed the wish to put more stress on integration of young local boys into the main team. Some important players of the earlier seasons left; a few foreign players came to stand along those who left and the new blood.

So that was the year of experiments. The team was much younger, less experienced and clearly weaker. It was many seasons before Sūduva was a clear member of 2-4 teams that were clear leaders of the championship. The question was only about what kind of medals each team would get. That year the situation was much tougher for Sūduva. It was clear that the team would need a lot of effort and luck if it wanted to get its traditional silver or bronze.

In the 2015 season Sūduva started with a new head coach - Aleksandr Veselinovič. The new coach totally changed the team style from defending to attacking. In the last season game against Atlantas Sūduva needed at least a draw. Sūduva conceded a goal in the 86th minute and lost 3rd place to Atlantas.

In the beginning of the 2016 season Sūduva recalled former team players Marius Činikas and Martynas Matuzas. Multiple A lyga champions Algis Jankauskas, Andro Švrljuga and Paulius Janušauskas were signed as well. Also signed were Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Kardum and Serbian midfielder Predrag Pavlović. ^[2]

In 2017 , FK Suduva became the first lithuanian football club after Zalgiris Vilnius (2013/14 Season) to pass three qualifying rounds in European compétition in 2017-18 UEFA Europa League. FK Suduva eliminated Shakhtyor Soligorsk , FK Liepaja and FC Sion.

Supporters

FK Sūduva supporters are called Sūduvos Sakalai. ^[3]

Sponsors

Sponsors Sumeda Arvi Statybos ritmas

Kit manufacturer Joma

Stadium

In 2008 Sūduva moved to a new stadium in Marijampolė ARVI Football Arena with a capacity of approximately 6,250 spectators. The stadium was built using funds from the European Union and opened on July 6, 2008. Near the arena you can find the roof-covered football field ARVI Football Indoor Arena, containing 2500 seats. There football can be played all year. There are two outdoor football fields near the arena as well.

Honours

• Lithuanian Championship:
• A Lyga
  • 2nd place (2): 2007, 2010
  • 3rd place (5): 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016
• Lithuanian Cup
  • Winners (2): 2006, 2009
  • Runners-up (3): 1976, 2002, 2016
• Lithuanian Supercup
  • Winners (1): 2009
  • Runners-up (1): 2007

Soviet Championship:

• Lithuanian SSR Championship
  • 3rd place (1): 1975

Continental

• Baltic League*
  • Runners-up (1): 2009–10

^[4]

Current squad

As of 12 July 2017^[5]

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

No. Position Player 3 DF Marius Činikas 4 DF Radanfah Abu Bakr 5 DF Darius Isoda 6 MF Povilas Leimonas 7 MF Ernestas Veliulis 8 FW Marjan Altiparmakovski 9 FW Karolis Laukžemis 10 DF Semir Kerla 11 MF Andro Švrljuga 12 GK Ivan Kardum 13 MF Karolis Chvedukas 14 MF Jérémy Manzorro 15 DF Aleksandar Živanović 16 MF Paulius Janušauskas

No. Position Player 17 MF Giedrius Matulevičius 18 MF Deividas Šešplaukis 19 DF Vaidas Slavickas 20 DF Tomas Janušauskas 22 MF Ovidijus Verbickas 25 GK Remigijus Mikalainis 28 GK Martynas Matuzas 33 MF Robertas Vėževičius 55 DF Algis Jankauskas 71 MF Sergei Amirzian 98 MF Domantas Antanavičius 90 DF Rokas Lekiatas 99 GK Gustas Baliutavičius

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 GK Justinas Popiera (at Tauras until 31 December 2017)

International players

• Vaidas Slavickas (Lithuania national football team)
• Ernestas Veliulis (Lithuania national football team)
• Radanfah Abu Bakr (Trinidad & Tobago national football team)

Notable players

Players who have either appeared for their respective national team at any time or received an individual award while at the club.

Kardum Švrljuga Slavickas Jankauskas Jablan Pavlović Veliulis Jamak Janušauskas Kecap Radzinevičius

Match line-up against Lietava in 2016 LFF

Rapalis Skroblas Radžius Valaitis V. Slavickas Chvedukas Grigaitis Grande Koziuberda Chao Lukšys

Match line-up against FK Ventspils in Baltic league final 2010-07-04

Technical staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Vladimir Cheburin
Goalkeeping coach	Audrius Ramonas
Head physio	Nerijus Stepanauskas
Physio	Rimantas Česnulis
Assistant Coach	Eivinas Černiauskas

Seasons

Results of league and cup competitions by season

Season	League										Domestic Cup		Europe		Other		League top goalscorer
Div	T	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts	Pos	Competition	Result	Competition	Result	Competition	Result	Name(s)	Goals
1990	1 !Baltic League	I	32	01 !1	05 !5	26	13	69	07 !7	17th	LFF Cup	R32	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1991	1 !LFF Lyga	I	14	00 !0	02 !2	12	05 !5	44	02 !2	15th ↓	LFF Cup	QF	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1991–92	2 !I Lyga	II	28	07 !7	06 !6	15	24	45	20	11th	LFF Cup	R32	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1992–93	2 !I Lyga	II	24	01 !1	01 !1	24	13	82	03 !3	14th ↓	LFF Cup	R32	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1993–94	3 !II Lyga South Zone	III					44	23	26	3rd	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1994–95	3 !III Lyga	III	22	11	06 !6	05 !5	31	24	28	2nd ↑	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1995–96	2 !II Lyga	II	24	09 !9	04 !4	11	35	37	31	8th	LFF Cup	R64	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1996–97	2 !II Lyga	II	30	17	04 !4	09 !9	48	32	55	4th	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1997–98	2 !I Lyga	II	26	09 !9	03 !3	14	31	49	30	10th	LFF Cup	R16	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1998–99	2 !II Lyga	II	14	07 !7	01 !1	06 !6	23	17	22	11th[6]	LFF Cup	R32	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
1999	3 !II Lyga South Zone	III	10	08 !8	01 !1	01 !1	39	09 !9	25	2nd	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —	& —
2000	3 !II Lyga South Zone	III	16+1[7]	14+1	01 !1	01 !1	48+3	08 !8+2	43	1st ↑		& — |rowspan="2"| & —	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	& — |rowspan="2"| & —
											& — |rowspan="2"| & —
2001	2 !I Lyga	II	30	22	01 !1	07 !7	93	42	67	2nd ↑		& — |rowspan="2"| & —	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Tomas Radzinevičius	29
											LFF Cup					F
2002	1 !A Lyga	I	32	11	08 !8	13	44	50	41	6th		UEFA Cup	1R	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Tomas Radzinevičius		14
											LFF Cup					R16
2003	1 !A Lyga	I	28	08 !8	08 !8	12	39	45	32	6th		& — |rowspan="2"| & —	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Tomas Radzinevičius	11
											LFF Cup					SF
2004	1 !A Lyga	I	28	05 !5	07 !7	16	31	55	22	7th	LFF Cup	QF	& —	& —	& —	& —	Tomas Radzinevičius	08 !8
2005	1 !A Lyga	I	36	16	11	09 !9	67	43	59	3rd	LFF Cup	QF	& —	& —	& —	& —	Tomas Radzinevičius	25
2006	1 !A Lyga	I	36	15	08 !8	13	48	44	53	5th	LFF Cup	W	UEFA Cup	2Q	& —	& —	Darius Maciulevičius	10
2007	1 !A Lyga	I	36	20	08 !8	08 !8	66	34	68	2nd	LFF Cup	QF	UEFA Cup	2Q	LFF Supercup	F	Jose Negreiros	13
2008	1 !A Lyga	I	28	11	06 !6	08 !8	35	25	48	4th			UEFA Cup	2Q	Baltic League	QF	Povilas Lukšys	11
											LFF Cup	W
2009	1 !A Lyga	I	28	14	11	03 !3	55	22	53	3rd			UEFA Europa League	2Q	LFF Supercup	W	Ričardas Beniušis	11
											LFF Cup	SF			Baltic League	F
2010	1 !A Lyga	I	27	16	08 !8	03 !3	56	16	56	2nd			UEFA Europa League	2Q			Povilas Lukšys	16
											LFF Cup	QF			Baltic League	R16
2011	1 !A Lyga	I	33	19	08 !8	06 !6	70	19	65	3rd			UEFA Europa League	2Q	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Tadas Eliošius	13
											LFF Cup	SF
2012	1 !A Lyga	I	36	21	07 !7	08 !8	77	37	70	3rd			UEFA Europa League	2Q	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Rafael Ledesma	21
											LFF Cup	R16
2013	1 !A Lyga	I	32	18	08 !8	06 !6	73	33	62	4th			UEFA Europa League	1Q	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Nerijus Valskis	27
											LFF Cup	R16
2014	1 !A Lyga	I	36	17	11	08 !8	70	38	62	5th			& — |rowspan="2"| & —	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Tomas Radzinevičius	13
											LFF Cup	QF
2015	1 !A Lyga	I	36	21	04 !4	11	76	34	67	4th			& — |rowspan="2"| & —	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Tomas Radzinevičius	28
											LFF Cup	SF
2016	1 !A Lyga	I	33	17	07 !7	09 !9	55	41	58	3rd			UEFA Europa League	1Q	& — |rowspan="2"| & —	Tomas Radzinevičius	14
											LFF Cup	F
2017	1 !A Lyga	I							'		LFF Cup		UEFA Europa League		& —	& —

Participation in Europe cups

Accurate as of 2 August 2017

Competition	Played	Won	Drew	Lost	GF	GA	GD	Win%
1 !UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League	7001360000000000000♠36	7001110000000000000♠11	7000800000000000000♠8	7001170000000000000♠17	7001430000000000000♠43	7001620000000000000♠62	−19	07001305600000000000♠30.56
8 !Total	7001360000000000000♠36	7001110000000000000♠11	7000800000000000000♠8	7001170000000000000♠17	7001430000000000000♠43	7001620000000000000♠62	−19	07001305600000000000♠30.56

Source: UEFA.com
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal Difference. Defunct competitions indicated in italics.

Season	Cup	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
2002–03	UEFA Cup	QR	Brann	3–2	3–2	6–4
		1R	Celtic	0–2	1–8	1–10
2006–07	UEFA Cup	1Q	Rhyl	2–1	0–0	2–1
		2Q	Club Brugge	0–2	2–5	2–7
2007–08	UEFA Cup	1Q	Dungannon Swifts	4–0	0–1	4–1
		2Q	Brann	3–4	1–2	4–6
2008–09	UEFA Cup	1Q	TNS	1–0	1–0	2–0
		2Q	Red Bull Salzburg	1–4	1–0	2–4
2009–10	UEFA Europa League	2Q	Randers	0–1	1–1	1–2
2010–11	UEFA Europa League	2Q	Rapid Wien	0–2	2–4	2–6
2011–12	UEFA Europa League	2Q	Elfsborg	1–1	0–3	1–4
2012–13	UEFA Europa League	1Q	Daugava	0–1	3–2	3–3 (a)
		2Q	Vojvodina	0–4	1–1	1–5
2013–14	UEFA Europa League	1Q	Horizont Turnovo	2–2	2–2	4–4 (4–5 p)
2016–17	UEFA Europa League	1Q	Midtjylland	0–1	0–1	0–2
2017–18	UEFA Europa League	1Q	Shakhtyor Soligorsk	2–1	0–0	2–1
		2Q	Liepāja	0–1	2–0	2–1
		3Q	Sion	3–0	1–1	4–1
		PO	Ludogorets Razgrad			–

All time top scorers

Years 1990-2015

1. Radzinevičius: 101

2. Lukšys: 70

3. Urbšys: 54

4. Brazaitis: 49

5. Maciulevičius: 45

6. Beniušis: 38

7. G. Slavickas: 36

8. Valskis: 32

9. Žitinskas: 31

10. Ledesma, Chvedukas: 27

11. Marčiulionis: 25

12. Adomaitis, Braga: 22

13. Kraipavičius, Eliošius: 19

14. Pultinavičius, Šoblinskas: 18

15. Larčenka, Litvinas: 17

16. Sagna, Šidlauskas, Willer Oliveira: 16

17. Apolskis, Balaika, G. Klevinskas, Brokas: 15

18. Negreiros: 14

19. Petrauskas: 13

Player of the Year

Lists of the winners of Sūduva Marijampolė Player of the Year Award instituted from 2008 as voted by fans:

• 2008: Darius Maciulevičius
• 2009: Ramūnas Radavičius
• 2010: Vaidas Slavickas
• 2011: Vaidas Slavickas
• 2012: Rafael Ledesma
• 2013: Nerijus Valskis
• 2014: Džiugas Bartkus
• 2015: Tomas Radzinevičius

Managers

• Jonas Kaupaitis (1968–73)
• Mantas Valukonis (1991)
• Saulius Stankūnas (1991–03)
• Algimantas Gabrys (2003 – Dec 31, 2003)
• Valdemaras Žilinskas (2004)
• Rino Lavezzini (2004–May 2, 2005)
• Algimantas Gabrys (May 10, 2005 – April 20, 2008)
• Igoris Pankratjevas (2008)
• Gediminas Jarmalavičius (2008–09)
• Donatas Vencevičius (Jan 29, 2010 – Nov 19, 2010)
• Virginijus Liubšys (April 17, 2010 – July 6, 2012)
• Darius Gvildys (July 9, 2012 – Sept 2014)
• Aleksandar Veselinović (Dec 21, 2014 – Aug 31, 2016)
• Vladimir Cheburin (Sep 8, 2016 – )

References

External links

• Official website