Kauno Žalgiris beat the Faroe Islands champions Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag on Wednesday, securing a historic place in the league phase of a UEFA competition for the first time in the club's history.
"First of all, I want to sincerely thank all our supporters. I heard that President Gitanas Nausėda was here tonight as well. It was a wonderful evening for all of us," head coach Željko Sopić said.
The Kaunas side is only the second Lithuanian club to achieve the feat. Vilnius Žalgiris reached the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage in the 2022–23 season.
Žalgiris beat the Faroe Islands champions 1-0 in the second leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The only goal came in the 85th minute, when Leonas Krekovičius converted a cross from Amine Benchaib.
Even if Kauno Žalgiris lose to Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, they will drop into the Europa League play-off round. I
f they are eliminated there, they will enter the Conference League league phase, meaning they are already guaranteed a place in one of UEFA's three main club competitions.
The result also guarantees significant financial rewards. By securing at least a place in the Conference League league phase, Kauno Žalgiris is guaranteed a minimum UEFA participation payment of €3.17m.
In the next round, the Lithuanian champions will face Dinamo Zagreb, who knocked out Swiss Thun in the second qualifying round.
The first leg will be played in Zagreb on August 4.
The tie will have special significance for Sopić. Born in Zagreb, the Croatian coach played for Dinamo, coached the club's reserve side and also served as interim manager of the first team.
"I'll be honest – I was born in Zagreb. I've supported Dinamo since the day I was born, and I always will,” he said. "In terms of budget and quality, it's obvious they have the advantage. But we'll go there and give everything we have."
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