A season of hard fought battles and lessons learned
FC Balaganas vs. FS Vytis
Heading into this match, we knew that securing a victory was crucial to keeping our championship hopes alive. With a determined mindset and a strong presence of supporters in the stands, we were ready to give our all.
The game started with what we thought was a gift from our opponents: their goalkeeper fumbled a pass, seemingly stopping it inside the goal. However, the referee saw things differently, and the score remained 0-0.
Although the game was evenly matched, FS Vytis showed their youthfulness and pace. Eventually, they capitalized on a well-executed attack, positioning their forward at the goalpost to score. We found ourselves trailing 0-1.
Recognizing the urgency, we created several dangerous opportunities, but our shots either hit the goalkeeper or missed the target. FS Vytis, on the other hand, made the most of their chances, extending their lead to 0-2.
Despite the setback, we refused to give up. Pressing higher up the pitch, we launched another attack. After a chaotic moment in the penalty area, Gintas found the perfect opportunity to strike—albeit after an initial misstep—and slotted the ball into the net. Hope was still alive at 1-2.
At halftime, we remained focused on securing a comeback. Tensions rose as the game progressed, with verbal exchanges happening on the pitch, but we stayed clear of unnecessary conflicts. Our aggressive play left us exposed, and FS Vytis exploited the gaps with a long pass. Their forward controlled the ball and fired a powerful shot—our goalkeeper Liudas got a touch, but it wasn’t enough. The score widened to 1-3.
Time was against us, and with our title hopes slipping away, Gintas managed to score again, securing his brace. The final whistle blew, and the match ended in a 2-3 defeat.
While we initially debated the disallowed goal, we acknowledge that FM Vytis deserved their championship title. They were the only team in the division that we couldn’t beat, and despite both sides being evenly matched, their speed proved to be the deciding factor. Congratulations to the champions!
FC Balaganas vs. Vėtra
After FS Vytis secured the title, our focus shifted to securing second place. We knew that Vėtra had drawn their previous match, meaning only a win would suffice.
The match began evenly, with both teams exchanging attacks. We won a corner but failed to capitalize, while Vėtra responded swiftly, sending their striker through on goal. Our defender couldn’t catch up, and with Liudas rushing out, Vėtra forward calmly slotted the ball home. We trailed 0-1.
Our response was immediate: within a minute, Artūras equalized, bringing the score to 1-1. Shortly after, our player-coach Titas delivered a precise pass to Erlandas, who turned and finished confidently. We had taken the lead at 2-1.
However, Vėtra did not back down. In a well-structured attack, their forward skillfully maneuvered past two of our defenders and leveled the score at 2-2.
At this point, fatigue from our previous match began to show. Emotional exhaustion led to mistakes in defense, and our opponents exploited this with a well-executed counterattack, putting them ahead 2-3.
Just before halftime, Edvinas capitalized on a rebound to restore parity. We entered the break at 3-3, knowing that a one-goal advantage was all we needed.
Unfortunately, as soon as the second half began, we conceded another goal. This early blow disrupted our momentum, and despite our efforts, our attacks lost efficiency. Vėtra took full advantage, scoring again to make it 3-5.
As desperation set in, we pushed forward aggressively, leaving only one defender at the back. Vėtra punished us for our risky play, breaking through with another counterattack to extend their lead to 3-6.
Realizing our dire situation, we continued pressing, but luck wasn’t on our side. Meanwhile, our opponents seemed to have everything going their way. A long-range strike made it 3-7, further dimming our hopes.
Still, we fought on. Dovydas managed to score, softening the blow at 4-7. However, Vėtra was relentless, netting one more goal with three minutes left. Finally, mirroring our previous game, Gintas put the finishing touch on a corner kick, scoring with a header to conclude the match at 5-8.
Reflections on the season
Was it disappointing to fall short of first place? Absolutely. Knowing that we had the potential to win the division makes the outcome bittersweet. However, as we celebrated the season with some well-earned drinks, we reflected on our initial goals.
This was our first season in the SFL 7×7 league, and our main objectives were to secure a podium finish and earn promotion to Division D. We achieved both of these goals.
Success breeds hunger for more, and now we set our sights on the challenges ahead. Training resumes soon, and as summer approaches, we will once again call upon our incredible supporters to stand with us in future battles.
