2021 A Lyga

Last updated
A Lyga
2021 optibet a lyga.png
Season2021
Dates5 March – November 2021
Champions Žalgiris
Champions League Žalgiris
Matches played180
Goals scored493 (2.74 per match)
Top goalscorer Hugo Videmont
(17 goals)
Biggest home win Kauno Žalgiris 5–0 Nevėžis
(14 March 2021)
Biggest away win Banga 1–5 Kauno Žalgiris
(25 April 2021)
Highest scoring Banga 5–2 Nevėžis
(21 April 2021)
Longest winning run7 matches
Sūduva
Longest unbeaten run12 matches
Sūduva
Longest winless run12 matches
Nevėžis
Longest losing run12 matches
Nevėžis
← 2020
2022 →
All statistics correct as of 29 May 2021.

The 2021 A Lyga, for sponsorship reasons also called Optibet A lyga is the 32nd season of the A Lyga, the top-tier football league of Lithuania. The season began on 5 March and concluded on 28 November 2021.

Contents

Teams

FK Žalgiris started the season as defending champions. None of the 6 last year's teams were relegated, and 4 teams were promoted to A lyga. [1]

Licensing process

In addition to sporting principles of promotion and relegation, the teams and clubs need to pass rigorous licensing process. Because of this, promotion and relegation does not always follow the rights achieved by sporting principle. A total of 12 teams applied for A lyga license:

The 6 previous season's teams:

FK Žalgiris, FK Sūduva Marijampolė, FK Kauno Žalgiris, FK Panevėžys, FK Banga Gargždai and FK Riteriai met licensing criteria and received a straight pass to their licenses.

Top 4 2020 LFF I Lyga teams:

FK „Nevėžis“ (Kėdainiai), FC „Hegelmann Litauen“ (Kaunas), FK „Jonava“ (Jonava), FC „Džiugas“ (Telšiai) have all applied. FK Nevėžis and FC Hegelmann Litauen got their licenses straight away. FC Džiugas has been granted a license after an appeal. FK Jonava failed to meet all licensing criteria and were not issued a license. The club appealed, the appeal was rejected, then the club requested participation by exception — a method used by Lithuanian Football Federation to make up numbers in the league after licensing fails. The request was also rejected by LFF council's vote in favour to 6th placed DFK Dainava.

Other 2020 LFF I Lyga teams: [2]

FA „Šiauliai“ (Šiauliai), DFK „Dainava“ (Alytus). FA Šiauliai later withdrew from licensing process, claiming that the team is not yet ready for top division football. [3] DFK Dainava failed licensing criteria, however after FK Jonava's failure to meet licensing criteria, DFK Dainava were invited to request participation by exception, and were ultimately promoted to the A lyga. [4] [5]

The controversial decision to drop FK Jonava and promote DFK Dainava was justified by the fact that FK Jonava have pending investigation to allegations of match fixing in the 2020 season. The LFF have issued sanctions and fines against three players and the club, however FK Jonava deny allegations of involvement in match fixing in the three matches that are being investigated and have appealed. The LFF have also revealed that a warning letter has been issued to FK Jonava in relation to the team's coach, who has been reportedly involved in match fixing in his previous career. [6] [7]

Changes

FK Nevėžis (Kėdainiai), FC Hegelmann Litauen (Kaunas), FC Džiugas (Telšiai) and DFK Dainava (Alytus), the latter three teams promoted to the top-flight for the first time in their history, were promoted from the 2020 LFF I Lyga.

Lithuania adm location map.svg
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Kaunas
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Home towns of the 2020 A Lyga teams
2021 A Lyga competitors
ClubLocationStadiumSurfaceCapacitySeasons
in A Lyga		 2020 position
Banga Gargždai Gargždai Stadium Artificial2,32384th
———
Dainava Alytus Alytus Stadium Natural3,79016th in LFF I lyga
Dainava Progymnasium StadiumArtificial—
Marijampolė Football Indoor Arena
(Hikvision FIA)		Artificial2,660
Džiugas Telšiai Telšiai Central StadiumNatural2,40014th in LFF I lyga
Ateitis Progymnasium Stadium——
Hegelmann Litauen Kaunas LFF Kaunas training center stadiumArtificial50012nd in LFF I lyga
———
Kauno Žalgiris Kaunas SM Tauras Stadium Natural50073rd
NFA StadiumArtificial500
Nevėžis Kėdainiai Kėdainiai Stadium Artificial3,00061st in LFF I lyga
Central Stadium of Jonava Natural2,000
Panevėžys Panevėžys Aukštaitija Stadium Natural6,60035th
Žemyna Progymnasium StadiumArtificial500
Riteriai Vilnius LFF Stadium Artificial5,06786th
Sportima Arena Artificial3,157
Sūduva Marijampolė Sūduva Stadium
(Hikvision Arena)		Natural6,250192nd
Marijampolė Football Indoor Arena
(Hikvision FIA)		Artificial2,660
Žalgiris Vilnius LFF Stadium Artificial5,067201st
Sportima Arena Artificial3,157

2021 competitors

Personnel

TeamCoachLicense
FK Banga Flag of Portugal.svg David Afonso Symbol question.svgNot sure.
DFK Dainava Flag of Lithuania.svg Tomas Ražanauskas UEFA A
FC Džiugas Telšiai Flag of Lithuania.svg Marius Šluta UEFA B
FC Hegelmann Litauen Flag of Lithuania.svg Andrius Skerla Symbol question.svgNot sure.
FK Kauno Žalgiris Flag of Lithuania.svg Rokas Garastas UEFA Pro
FK Nevėžis Flag of Lithuania.svg Darius Gvildys (on temporary basis)UEFA A
FK Panevėžys Flag of Portugal.svg João Luís Martins UEFA A
FK Riteriai Flag of Portugal.svg Miguel Moreira UEFA Pro
FK Sūduva Flag of Spain.svg Víctor Basadre UEFA Pro
FK Žalgiris Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Vladimir Cheburin UEFA Pro

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyIncoming managerDate of appointment
FK Panevėžys—addition to coaching team— Flag of Portugal.svg Luís Olim 22 December 2020
FC Hegelmann Litauen Flag of Lithuania.svg Artūras Ramoška reassigned as goalkeeping coach2 January 2021 Flag of Lithuania.svg Andrius Skerla 2 January 2021
FK Sūduva Flag of Lithuania.svg Saulius Širmelis end of contractNovember 2020 Flag of Spain.svg Víctor Basadre 3 January 2021
FK Žalgiris Flag of Belarus.svg Aleksey Baga resignedDecember 2020 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Vladimir Cheburin 11 January 2021
FK Riteriai Flag of Finland.svg Tommi Pikkarainen new manager appointed8 February 2021 Flag of Belarus.svg Sergei Gurenko 8 February 2021
DFK Dainava Flag of Italy.svg Fabio Mazzone resigned12 April 2021 Flag of Lithuania.svg Tomas Ražanauskas 21 April 2021
FK Nevėžis Flag of Lithuania.svg Vitalijus Stankevičius by mutual consent17 May 2021 Flag of Lithuania.svg Darius Gvildys (on temporary basis)18 May 2021
FK Riteriai Flag of Belarus.svg Sergei Gurenko end of probationary contract31 May 2021 Flag of Lithuania.svg Valdas Trakys (on temporary basis)9 June 2021
FK Banga Flag of Lithuania.svg Tomas Tamošauskas sacked3 June 2021 Flag of Portugal.svg David Afonso 3 June 2021
FK Riteriai Flag of Lithuania.svg Valdas Trakys permanent manager appointed3 August 2021 Flag of Portugal.svg Miguel Moreira 3 August 2021

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

As soon as 2020 A Lyga season has completed, on 7 November 2020 COVID-19 quarantine was reintroduced in Lithuania, [8] and extended several times. At the beginning of February, at the time LFF were building fixtures calendar, the quarantine was set to last until 28 February. [9]

It is expected that at the beginning of the championship the matches will take place without spectators. Under the government's proposal, the matches can be attended by 100 spectators when the rate of COVID-19 infections per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 day period will drop below 50. The matches can be attended by 200 spectators when COVID-19 cases will drop below 25. [10] On 4 February infection rate was 395.3. [11]

Approaching the start date of the championship, scheduled for 5 March 2021, the clubs performed mandatory COVID-19 testing. Three clubs have reported infections among the players and their fixtures have been postponed. FK Žalgiris reported 7 positive cases of COVID-19, FK Panevėžys - 6, FK Riteriai initially did not reveal the number, [12] but it was later revealed that 19 players and staff were tested positive. [13]

Regular season

The season has kicked off as scheduled on 5 March. Each team will play four matches with all other teams this season.

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Žalgiris (C)36231037628+4879Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round
2 Sūduva 3621786433+3170Qualification for the Europa Conference League second qualifying round
3 Kauno Žalgiris 3618995539+1663Qualification for the Europa Conference League first qualifying round
4 Panevėžys 36161285540+1560
5 Hegelmann Litauen 361411115338+1553
6 Riteriai 361016104937+1246
7 Banga 36106204071−3136
8 Džiugas 36812164760−1336
9 Dainava [lower-alpha 1] (R)36911163956−1735Relegation to I Lyga
10 Nevėžis (R)3624301591−7610
Source: Flashscore
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Play-off (for champion only) 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored; 6) Head-to-head matches won; 7) Goal difference; 8) Goals scored; 9) Matches won; 10) Fairplay ranking ; 11) Draw. [14]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ↑ DFK Dainava started the season with 3 points deducted as the club had not met licensing criteria but were granted participation under the rule of exception.

Fixtures and results

Rounds 1–18

Home \ Away BAN DAI DZI HEG KAU NEV PAN RIT SUD ZAL
Banga —2–01–00–21–55–22–20–21–21–3
Dainava 3–1—1–11–20–10–21–31–11–12–4
Džiugas 1–12–3—2–11–13–00–21–42–10–3
Hegelmann Litauen 0–10–11–1—2–32–00–02–00–12–1
Kauno Žalgiris 1–01–01–02–2—5–01–22–11–00–1
Nevėžis 0–20–12–10–11–2—0–10–00–20–3
Panevėžys 4–23–01–02–22–14–2—1–10–00–2
Riteriai 3–02–21–11–31–24–02–0—1–11–1
Sūduva 4–03–12–12–02–11–00–12–0—0–2
Žalgiris 2–05–12–22–02–22–01–02–01–2—
Source: Flashscore
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Rounds 19–36

Home \ Away BAN DAI DZI HEG KAU NEV PAN RIT SUD ZAL
Banga —1–12–11–42–33–12–11–10–20–3
Dainava 3–1—3–21–10–11–11–22–11–20–2
Džiugas 1–11–1—2–11–52–02–22–02–32–1
Hegelmann Litauen 4–11–11–1—1–22–01–00–02–11–1
Kauno Žalgiris 0–12–00–12–1—2–01–11–13–30–2
Nevėžis 0–30–11–10–61–1—1–30–60–31–3
Panevėžys 3–10–02–22–24–03–0—0–21–11–1
Riteriai 0–02–13–20–00–04–01–2—1–30–0
Sūduva 4–00–13–11–22–02–03–01–1—2–2
Žalgiris 3–02–23–22–10–06–02–01–13–2—
Source: Flashscore
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Statistics

Top goalscorers

GoalsAssistsPlayerClub
1712 Flag of France.svg Hugo Videmont FK Žalgiris
165 Flag of Lithuania.svg Nauris Petkevičius FC Hegelmann Litauen
162 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Saïd Hamulic DFK Dainava
121 Flag of Lithuania.svg Mindaugas Grigaravičius FK Riteriai
112 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Nasko Milev FC Džiugas
112 Flag of Lithuania.svg Simonas Urbys FK Banga Gargždai
105 Flag of Croatia.svg Josip Tadić FK Žalgiris
102 Flag of Brazil.svg Jorge Elias FK Panevėžys
102 Flag of Lithuania.svg Linas Pilibaitis FK Kauno Žalgiris

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "A lygos valdybos posėdyje brėžiamos kito sezono gairės". LFF.lt.
  2. ↑ "Paaiškėjo A lygos licencijų sieksiančių klubų sąrašas". LFF.lt.
  3. ↑ ""Šiauliai" atsisako minties jau kitąmet keliauti į A lygą". sportas.lt.
  4. ↑ "Dešimtąja A lygos komanda tapo Alytaus DFK "Dainava"". LFF.lt.
  5. ↑ ""Dainava" tapo 10-ąja A lygos sezono dalyve". sportas.lt.
  6. ↑ "Paskutinės minutės sprendimas: pro galines duris į A lygą įleista "Dainava"". 15min.lt/sportas.
  7. ↑ "LFF vadovas išsamiai: Apie 8,4 MLN. Eurų biudžeto eilutes ir "Jonavos" lažybų dėmę".
  8. ↑ Vadovaudamasi Lietuvos Respublikos
  9. ↑ "Karantinas Lietuvoje pratęstas iki vasario 28 dienos, gyventojų judėjimo ribojimai išlieka". lrt.lt. January 27, 2021.
  10. ↑ "A lyga startuos be žiūrovų. Vasarą galimybę matyti rungtynes turėtų turėti 200 sirgalių". sportas.lt.
  11. ↑ "Statistika Lietuvoje". koronastop.lrv.lt.
  12. ↑ "Futbolo klubai krenta kovoje su COVID-19: užsikrėtimų užfiksuota ir "Riteriuose"". 15min.lt/sportas.
  13. ↑ "Šiuo metu "Riteriuose" yra 19 patvirtintų koronaviruso atvejų".
  14. ↑ "A Lyga 2021 - Season rules" (DOCX) (in Lithuanian). Lithuanian Football Federation. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
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