FK Žalgiris
Squad
Marius Žaliūkas2016current
Liviu Antal2023current- Arminas Narbekovas1983–1990
Valdas Ivanauskas1984–1984
Vyacheslav Sukristov1984–1990- Valdas Ivanauskas1986–1989
Edgaras Jankauskas1991–1996
Andrius Skerla1995–1996
Deividas Šemberas1996–1998- Vyacheslav Sukristov1997–1998
Žydrūnas Karčemarskas2001–2001
Ernestas Šetkus2005–2008- Ernestas Šetkus2010–2010
- Andrius Skerla2012–2013
Adi Rocha2014–2015- Deividas Šemberas2014–2015
Saulius Mikoliūnas2016–2023- Liviu Antal2017–2020
Edvinas Gertmonas2019–2024- Tomislav Kiš2019–2021
The club has had a rich name history, starting as Dinamo Vilnius and evolving through several names before settling on FK Žalgiris.
FK Žalgiris is a professional football club based in Vilnius, Lithuania, known for its rich history and cultural significance.
Founded in 1947, FK Žalgiris has undergone several name changes, reflecting its evolution in Lithuanian football.
Biography
Formation
FK Žalgiris, a prominent Lithuanian football club, was established in 1947 in Vilnius, evolving from its earlier incarnation as Dinamo Vilnius. The club's roots trace back to 1946 when it represented the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic in the USSR Group III Zone 4 championship. Initially comprised of players from Spartakas Kaunas and Dinamo Kaunas, the team played its first match against Stroitel Moscow, ending in a 1-1 draw. The club's name, Žalgiris, commemorates the historic Battle of Žalgiris, reflecting its cultural significance.
Evolution and Name Changes
Throughout its history, FK Žalgiris has undergone several name changes, starting as Dinamo Vilnius, then Spartakas Vilnius, and finally adopting the name Žalgiris in 1962. The club competed in the Soviet Union football league system until 1989, achieving its first promotion to the top tier in 1952. Despite a challenging start, the team has produced numerous Lithuanian football legends, including Arminas Narbekovas and Edgaras Jankauskas, who have left a lasting impact on the club's legacy.
Achievements and Legacy
FK Žalgiris has established itself as a dominant force in Lithuanian football, winning the Lithuanian Championship 11 times and the Lithuanian Cup 14 times. The club's success extends beyond domestic competitions, having also made a mark in international tournaments, including reaching the semi-finals of the Intertoto Cup in 2005. With a rich history and a commitment to excellence, FK Žalgiris continues to be a cornerstone of Lithuanian football, inspiring future generations of players and fans alike.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
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. 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. First official match of the formed club was played on 16 May 1947 against Lokomotiv Moscow, who managed to defeat local team 1–2. Steponas Petraitis scored the first official goal for the club that day, beating goalkeeper from a penalty spot in 44th minute. 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. Team achieved its first promotion to the top tier in 1952, but came last next season. Before the start of the 1983 season in Soviet Top League, players initiative group demanded the resignation of coach Benjaminas Zelkevičius, and the players wish was granted as, Algimantas Liubinskas became the trainer. Start was cautious. A similar result 0–0…
1947 – Dinamo Vilnius 1948 – Spartakas Vilnius 1962 – Žalgiris Vilnius 1993 – Žalgiris–EBSW Vilnius 1995 – FK Žalgiris (Vilnius) 2009 – VMFD Žalgiris 2015 – FK Žalgiris (Vilnius)
- League
- TOPLYGA
Legacy
Domestic
Lithuanian Championship:
Champions – 11 1991, 1991–92, 1998–99, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 Runners-up – 13 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1999, 2000, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 3rd place – 4 1990, 1995–96, 2001, 2010 Lithuanian Cup:
Winners – 14 1991, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 2003, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 Finalists – 6 1990, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2017 Lithuanian Super Cup:
Winners – 9 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2025 Soviet Championship: Soviet Top League:
3rd place – 1 1987 Soviet First League:
Champions – 1 1982 Runners-up – 3 1952, 1954, 1966 3rd place – 1 1950 Soviet Second League:
Runners-up – 1 1977
International
Chico Science Cup
Champions – 1 2015 Baltic League:
Champions – 1 1990 Summer Universiade:
Champions – 1 1987 Intertoto Cup:
Semi-finalists – 1 2005
Domestic
Lithuanian Footballer of the Year
A Lyga Player of the Year
A Lyga Golden Boot
International
UEFA's Golden Player
Arminas Narbekovas
Žalgiris players in International tournaments
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Futbolo klubas Žalgiris, commonly known as FK Žalgiris, Žalgiris Vilnius or simply Žalgiris, is a professional football club based in Vilnius, Lithuania. The club competes in the TOPLYGA, the top flight of Lithuanian football. The club was founded as Dinamo in 1947. The club's name commemorates the Battle of Žalgiris. Žalgiris has featured many Lithuanian football legends including Arminas Narbekovas, Valdas Ivanauskas, Edgaras Jankauskas and Deividas Šemberas. They have won the Lithuanian championship 10 times, the Lithuanian Football Cup 14 times, and the Lithuanian Supercup 7 times.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…