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We present to you an interview with "Vėtra" captain Gediminas Butrimavičius on the eve of the start of the NFKA "A League" season, published on the official website of Vilnius "Vėtra" club.
Q: In the return leg of the LFF Cup quarterfinals against Marijampolė's "Sūduva," you secured a ticket to the semifinals. How important are the LFF Cup matches for you?
Gediminas Butrimavičius: - Among the goals set for our team this year is not only to claim a prize place in the NFKA "A" League, but also to win the LFF Cup, which would guarantee a spot in the UEFA Cup tournament. Therefore, the matches in Marijampolė were very important for us. Even though we had a minimal advantage, we knew that the return leg quarterfinal match wouldn't be easy. It caused a lot of concern that players like A. Steško, E.Blažys, and N.Sasnauskas were unavailable due to sickness or injuries. Also, Julius Raliukonis played through a fever, showing great determination and dedication. Despite these losses, we managed to score an away goal, guaranteeing our progress to the next stage. I must say, the players gave their all in the match.
Q: The first "A League" match against Kėdainiai's "Nevėžis" is coming up on Tuesday. What are the team's spirits like?
A: Of course, after securing a spot in the LFF Cup semifinals, the team's spirits are optimistic. However, we will strive not to slack off and demonstrate a reliable game from the first "A League" match, unlike the start of last year's championship when we lacked points in the battle for a place in the UEFA "Intertoto" Cup.
Q: Who do you see as the favorite in this year's "A League" championship?
A: The fierce battle in the LFF Cup quarterfinals showed that there will be no weak opponents in this year's "A League," and every match will be tough. However, I believe the same teams as last year will contend for the medals, and I hope "Vėtra" will be among them. But we shouldn't underestimate teams like "Vilnius" and "Sūduva," who have strengthened their lineups with numerous foreign players. I think this season's championship will be more exciting than last year's.
Q: How will the increased number of teams in the "A League" this year affect the intensity of the match schedule?
A: The previous championship showed that not everything was fully prepared during the preseason. Even though last summer we were recognized as the first Lithuanian team to reach the third stage of a UEFA tournament, we exhausted all our strength in the "Intertoto" and fell short of points towards the end of the "A League" season. I can say that this year we are physically stronger, so I hope the intense match schedule won't be a problem for us.
Q: This season, Belarusian Sergejus Borovskis leads the team. What do you think of the work of this coach with the team?
A: It's evident that the new coach is very competent and experienced. During the preparation period, we focused not only on physical preparation but also on tactics. S. Borovksis is a good strategist and analyst, knowledgeable about modern football, and able to pinpoint the weaknesses and causes of the game. Considering the player's strengths and weaknesses, S. Borovskis places them on the field where they are most useful to the team.
Q: How do you think today's "Vėtra" will differ in playing style from last season's team?
A: With the arrival of a new coach, order and discipline prevailed in the team. I believe the team's playing style has changed this year. It's become less spontaneous and more purposeful. Today, every player knows what they have to do on the field. This was achieved by spending a lot of time on tactical preparation and analyzing matches.
Q: What message do you have for "Vėtra" fans and other Lithuanian football enthusiasts?
A: We would love for fans to attend "Vėtra" matches more often in the new season. I can sincerely say that the support of spectators in the stadium is crucial to us. We were especially pleased when nearly three thousand spectators filled the new "Vėtra" stadium during last year's UEFA "Intertoto" Cup matches. It was truly enjoyable. It's a pity that football is not as popular in Lithuania as basketball. However, over the past few years, people have rediscovered football. I believe the number of fans at stadiums has a significant impact on the successful performance of the national team.
