E. Pilypas ends professional football player career

2024-01-10 08:41 © FA Šiauliai

After finishing the 2023 season with the residents of šiauliai, Ernestas Pilypas decided to end his career as a professional football player.

Having defended the honor of the sun city for five years, Ernestas left a particularly strong mark on the unforgettable journey of the organization. The 33-year-old defender became one of the players with the most matches played in the history of FA "Šiauliai", wearing the yellow and black jersey a total of 120 times, scoring 3 goals, and providing one assist to his teammate during this time.

Beginning in 2019, the defender is ending his career in Šiauliai, where he started it - in his hometown. Ernestas, brought to his first football training by his mother, significantly contributed to the achievements of the yellow and black team - in the golden "First League" matches of 2021, the player who scored a penalty kick secured gold medals for the sun city, while in the 2023 season with šiauliai, he reached the final of the LFF Cup and adorned himself with historic bronze medals in the "Optibet A League".

The šiauliai native also played in Germany's "Neubrandenburg 04" and in the teams of "Stal" Šiauliai, "Kruoja", "Kauno Žalgiris", and "Pakruojis". The player was also invited to various age group national teams.

FA "Šiauliai" thanks Ernestas for his invaluable contribution to the team's results and wishes him every success in his future endeavors.

"My mother led me to football when I was nine years old - thank you! From that moment on, the journey began, the routine, training, matches, tournaments, and seasons one after another, and now it's time for changes. All these 24 years of journey shaped my character - instilled values such as discipline, responsibility, teamwork, allowed me to see numerous countries, and meet people of different cultures and nationalities."

When I returned to Šiauliai in 2019 - the team was very young, composed only of local players, but very hungry - everyone wanted to prove their worth, so that growth and improvement happened rapidly, both for the team and the organization. As a player, I always wanted better conditions that would allow me to improve and enjoy the game - and it happened. We became professionals, more experienced players joined us, we won the "First League" and fought for the right to play in the "A League". In the first season, we rested on our laurels and surprised our opponents with our game, but it wasn't enough to achieve great results, while in the past one we showed what we are really worth. The only thing I really regret is not winning the LFF Cup, but no matter how it turned out - that's what football is, beautiful, unpredictable, and sometimes providing surprises."

Next - tennis, amateur football, cycling. (Smiles) I won't escape from sports even if I wanted to - I can't imagine a different life. But at the same time, I won't stray away from football, with colleagues from "FPRO" we have many plans, various project ideas, so if not on the field, then I will definitely meet with former teammates outside of it.

To the younger generation - dream, have high goals, even sometimes seemingly unattainable, and consistently and hard work to achieve them! Not tomorrow, not next week, but today, not with words and thoughts, but with actions, because time flies fast, you won't even notice, here you're 20 years old, here 33. (Smiles) You've probably heard about additional work more than once, but I'll repeat it - don't waste time, dedicate at least 30-40 minutes a day to improve your ball control technique, tactical understanding, physical qualities, or psychological preparation, and you will definitely achieve your goals!"

"I wish the team a good upcoming season and a successful start in the 'UEFA Conference League'!" - said E. Pilypas, saying goodbye to his professional football career.