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A Lyga 2024 third placed team FK Kauno Žalgiris faced Cymru Premier silver medalists Penybont F.C. in the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League First qualifying round, held in Central Stadium of Jonava (Lithuania). The game finished with a 3-0 success for the hosts.

FK Kauno Žalgiris on the home side, achieved the bronze medal in the previous Lithuanian A Lyga competition (2024), nine points ahead of fourth placed team DFK Dainava; Bridgend based Welsh team Penybont F.C. on the opposition side, secured the second place on its league’s table few rounds before the season ending, with which access to the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League Qualifiers was granted.

FK Kauno Žalgiris, led by coach Eivinas Černiauskas, started this European clash in 4-2-3-1 formation. The players demonstrated dynamism and creativity through the offense, in addition to a dominant and confident build-up play. The midfield section should be mentioned as one of the main strengths of the team: the trio of team captain Gratas Sirgėdas, Serbian-Belgian Damjan Pavlović (both defensive midfielders) and Belgian-Moroccan Amine Benchaib (attacking midfielder) supported the alone young Lithuanian international striker Romualdas Jansonas in quality way. All things considered, this massive and convincing 1st leg win was well-deserved for the Green-Whites.

Penybont F.C., coached by Rhys Griffiths, started the match in 3-5-2 shape, which in the middle of the second half had to be changed for a 4-defender back line, after being down to 10 men. Welsh U21 young goalkeeper Luke Armstrong (2006 born, currently plays on loan from Cardiff City F.C.) was the one standing on the line, and performed several important saves and blocks – including a great shot stop in a 1vGK situation against opposition attacker Jansonas. Physically strong Gabe Kircough came up as leader of defense, by his good performance not only for his defensive work. Penybont showed strength in the physical challenges – they definitely will make it difficult for the opponents in the second leg in a week.

The first goal and the lead for FK Kauno Žalgiris came up in the 18th minute, after an own goal was scored by an opposition defender (1-0). Six minutes later, team captain Gratas Sirgėdas was on to take a (long) free-kick from tight angle, which resulted a wonderful hit from that distance (2-0). The last goal was delivered in the first minute of the second half; French-Ivorian Fabien Ourega made the assist to Damjan Pavlović, whose fantastic right-footed strike set up the final score (3-0).

The magnificent free-kick goal of FK Kauno Žalgiris team captain Gratas Sirgėdas, which shaped the score for 2-0

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