Ekranas wrap up fourth successive Lithuanian title

FK Ekranas secured their fourth successive Lithuanian league title after their 1-0 victory at FK Tauras combined with a 2-0 defeat at FK Sūduva for second-placed VMFD Žalgiris.





Ekranas have now won the Lithuanian title seven times



FK Ekranas claimed their fourth successive Lithuanian title after a 1-0 win at FK Tauras and a defeat for second-placed VMFD Žalgiris meant they opened up an unassailable seven-point gap with two games remaining.

Mantas Savenas scored his first goal of the season to give Ekranas the lead with a wonderful curling free-kick on 35 minutes. Both sides wasted a number of chances after that and, although Ekranas held on to claim the points, they had to wait for the result of third-placed FK Sūduva against challengers Žalgiris before being crowned champions – and sealing a berth in UEFA Champions League qualifying next term.

With Žalgiris pushing forward in search of victory, Nerijus Radžius scored for Sūduva with 11 minutes remaining, and things got worse for the title challengers when Deivydas Matulevičius was sent off. Tadas Eliošius then doubled the lead in added time and, in doing so, handed Ekranas their seventh title overall. Sūduva now need just a single point to secure third place and claim a UEFA Europa league spot alongside Žalgiris.

"The game was even," Žalgiris coach Vitalijus Stankevičius said. "We maybe risked more in the end and fortune was not on our side. We wanted to challenge for the title, but second place also meets our target of finishing higher than last year."

Ekranas coach Valdas Urbonas told UEFA.com: "Even though there were difficult moments along the season, we never doubted the final victory. But that doesn't mean our success was straightforward.

"Since we were defending champions, every team wanted to knock us off the top. And we changed more than a half of the squad before the season, yet retained the winning mentality. I'm delighted that we had a real team and all the players did their job well."

Meanwhile, Sūduva coach Virginijus Liubšys rued his side's drop in form midway through the season. "Today we showed real determination and the team has been on fire lately. Unfortunately, we dropped too many points in a horrible middle of the season."

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:Ekranas are turning into quite the team tbh.

Liverpool wrote:

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:Ekranas are turning into quite the team tbh.

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

Liverpool wrote:

Did you sallow a feather at a young age or something? You laugh at almost anything.

Liverpool wrote:

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

Did you sallow a feather at a young age or something? You laugh at almost anything.

I am very confused about how you know about all these different teams? You must watch a lot of football or your just bluffing knowledge.

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

Liverpool wrote:

I am very confused about how you know about all these different teams? You must watch a lot of football or your just bluffing knowledge.

I research these teams.

Liverpool wrote:

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

Did you sallow a feather at a young age or something? You laugh at almost anything.

I am very confused about how you know about all these different teams? You must watch a lot of football or your just bluffing knowledge.

Weather130 wrote:

Liverpool wrote:

I am very confused about how you know about all these different teams? You must watch a lot of football or your just bluffing knowledge.

Well I will also say to give up less than 15 goals in any level of football is rather impressive, as that means you have good defense and a good keeper. I do not think having only a quality GK will allow you to give up less than 15 goals. Also Ekranas was the biggest team that did not withdraw from the league due to major differences with the Lithuanian Football Federation. FBK Kaunas who were the main competition left a few years ago and now they are finally back in the A Lyga but as one would expect they are a much weaker team when they left.

Liverpool wrote:

Weather130 wrote:

Well I will also say to give up less than 15 goals in any level of football is rather impressive, as that means you have good defense and a good keeper. I do not think having only a quality GK will allow you to give up less than 15 goals. Also Ekranas was the biggest team that did not withdraw from the league due to major differences with the Lithuanian Football Federation. FBK Kaunas who were the main competition left a few years ago and now they are finally back in the A Lyga but as one would expect they are a much weaker team when they left.

I was talking to Pip...but thanks

Weather130 wrote:

Liverpool wrote:

I was talking to Pip...but thanks

Yes, I know but I had all the info needed to explain the situation so I posted it. Next season could be a little more interesting if FBK Kaunas gets any better, for awhile they had a working relationship with Hearts from Scotland. Not sure how that is working out but they do have one player with them at the moment that are on loan from Hearts. I am sure life in Lithuania is much different that in Scotland.

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

Thats the guy who got his penis out infront of kids isn't it?

Dan wrote:Have they still got that Brazilian? Can't remember his name..

Dan wrote:Have they still got that Brazilian? Can't remember his name..

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

Dan wrote:Have they still got that Brazilian? Can't remember his name..

They have Mauro Lucas. He used to play for BATE Borisov i'll have you know.

Dan wrote:

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

They have Mauro Lucas. He used to play for BATE Borisov i'll have you know.

That's the one. Very good footballer.

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

Dan wrote:Have they still got that Brazilian? Can't remember his name..

They have Mauro Lucas. He used to play for BATE Borisov i'll have you know.

Weather130 wrote:

Pippo Inzaghi wrote:

They have Mauro Lucas. He used to play for BATE Borisov i'll have you know.

Interesting to know before he moved to BATE this guy played for various smaller Brazilian teams that I have never heard of before. It took him five years before he moved to Europe.