Kaunas rally to take title

FBK Kaunas took their time - but today won the Lithuanian championship for the fifth time in a row.

Late form
Having dominated in previous years, Kaunas only took first place last Saturday with a 2-0 win in heavy snow against previously unbeaten FK Ekranas. The defending champions have now clinched the title on the final day by beating FK Atlantas 3-1 as runners-up Ekranas went down 3-2 against FK Vetra.

Coach works wonders
The flying start by Ekranas, who provide the basis for the Lithuanian Under-21 side, prompted Kaunas to change coaches in May, with Saulius Sirmelis leaving and Belarussian Sergei Borovski taking over. Working wonders, Borovski has not lost a league game in charge, and the signing of Atlantas forward Ricardas Beniusis proved inspired. Beniusis scored ten times for Jaunas and, having already scored six for Atlantas, was the league's top scorer with 16 goals.

Vetra finish third
Kaunas will now enter the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, while Ekranas will compete in the UEFA Cup. Just outside the European places were newly-promoted Vetra, who finished third. They were aided by coach Valdas Ivanauskas and two key African players - Cameroonian midfield man and Olympic gold-medallist Clement Beaud and Nigerian forward Israel Douglas.

Cup winners
However, a UEFA Cup place does go to FK Žalgiris Vilnius, who on 8 October clinched the Lithuanian Cup with a 3-1 win against Ekranas. It was the second cup final in five months, Atlantas having beated Vetra on penalties in May before a switch to a summer competition at the behest of clubs. Žalgiris will end the season on 8 November as they meet Kaunas in the Super Cup final in Siauliai.

Sakalas demoted
FK Sakalas have been relegated after finishing with just eight points. They may yet be reprieved, though, as the Lithuanian Football Federation is introducing a club licensing programme, which could change the make-up of the nation's top division.