Kauno Zalgiris has claimed the Lithuanian championship title for the second year in a row. Under the guidance of Croatian coach Zeljko Sopic, the team achieved a decisive 4-1 victory against Hegelmann during the 35th round of the season, mathematically securing the trophy with one game remaining.
This title marks the second in the club’s history, following their first championship in 2025. Kauno Zalgiris has successfully defended their title, showcasing their growth in recent years with significant achievements on the European stage.
After the victory over Hegelmann, Zeljko Sopic’s squad amassed a total of 58 points, leading by seven points over Zalgiris Vilnius, the closest rival, which stands at 51 points.
Kauno Zalgiris Wins Back-to-Back Championships with a 4-1 Victory
The main competitor for the new champions was Zalgiris Vilnius, featuring Romanian players Liviu Antal and Grigore Turda. With one round left to play, Zalgiris occupies second place with 51 points, trailing the champions by seven points.
Completing the podium is Suduva, which has gathered 50 points, just one point behind Zalgiris Vilnius.
As the Lithuanian league operates under a spring-autumn format, Kauno Zalgiris is set to represent the country again in the Champions League qualifiers, starting with the first round of the 2027-2028 season.
This Lithuanian team had a significant European campaign this season, beginning with the Champions League qualifiers. Kauno Zalgiris overcame Drita from Kosovo and Klaksvik from the Faroe Islands before being eliminated in the third qualifying round by Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb.
Following this, the Lithuanians continued their continental journey in the Europa League playoffs, where they were ousted by Beşiktaş with an aggregate score of 3-1. Nevertheless, their European adventure did not end there, as Kauno Zalgiris reached the main stage of the Conference League, marking a historic achievement for the club.
In the first two matches of the competition, the Lithuanians faced defeats against Brighton (0-4) and Brann (1-4). Looking ahead, the Lithuanian champions are set to meet Lugano away, Riga at home, Egnatia away, and Freiburg at home.
Founded in 2004, Kauno Zalgiris reached the top tier of Lithuanian football in 2015, and within just 22 years, the club has secured two championship titles and has participated in the main phase of a European competition for the first time.
