© EuroFootball.com
Until the end of the Lithuanian "A League" championship, there are only two rounds left, but the winners of the bronze medals are still unknown. Two teams - Vilnius and Marijampolė - are competing for the third place, which grants the right to play in the UEFA Cup tournament next year.
This Sunday in Marijampolė an intriguing match between these teams will take place. It can be said that its outcome will determine which team will rejoice with the prize place. If Vilnius celebrates victory, they will immediately secure the bronze medals, as they currently have one point more than Marijampolė.
The "Vėtra" should not be discouraged even by a draw, as in the last round, Sergejus Borovskis' students will play at home against Šilutės "Šilute". The Pamarios team has been collecting points very hard since mid-September - they have won only one of their last eight matches, played two draws, and suffered five defeats. It is likely that "Vėtra" would be able to defeat Šilutės at their own stadium.
This season, all matches between "Vėtra" and "Sūduva" were very intense. Vilnius won one match (1-0), and two ended in draws (2-2 and 1-1). A large number of spectators constantly gathered at the "Sūduva" stadium, and on Sunday one can expect a record number of football fans. Will they inspire the team to victory? We will see.
Important to note, in these matches "Vėtra" will be without Andrius Kochanauskas due to yellow cards. This is a significant loss for the Vilnius team, as in matches against "Vilnius" this full-back was quite active and contributed significantly to the victory of his team. Who will replace A.Kochanauskas? Šarūnas Litvinas, who previously played as a full-back, has recently shown his skills as an attacking midfielder, hence, it is likely that "Vėtra's" coach S.Borovskis will leave Š.Litvinas in midfield, and the replacement for A.Kochanauskas will probably be the Latvian player Janis Rinkus, who has been playing less and less lately.
If "Sūduva" finally manages to beat "Vėtra" this year, we can say that the team has achieved the most important victory of the season. In the last round against Vilnius' "Žalgiris", Marijampolė would only need to draw, as according to the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) regulations, if two or more teams have the same number of points, the place in the tournament table is determined by the results of the head-to-head matches, the overall goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded).
If "Sūduva" defeats "Vėtra" even with a minimal advantage, and both teams have the same number of points, the advantage would belong to the team from Suvalkija, as they have a much better goal difference.
On the eve of the important match, the official website of the "A League" interviewed one of the leaders of "Sūduva" Darius Maciulevičius and the captain of the "Vėtra" team Gediminas Butrimavičius.
"The best gift for me would be a victory for "Sūduva" against Vilnius' "Vėtra"," said the experienced Marijampolė goalkeeper, who will be celebrating his 32nd birthday on Sunday this weekend.
"Tomorrow "Sūduva" faces a tough test...
"Very. Tomorrow's match against "Vėtra" will be the most important test of the season for us.
"How is the team feeling ahead of these matches?
"We are well prepared, no panic. All the "Sūduva" players understand that they need to beat the opponents. A draw will not satisfy us at all."
"This season Marijampolė has not yet managed to beat "Vėtra." What makes Vilnius' team so strong against "Sūduva"?
"I can't say. Tomorrow we will win, and that's it.
"If "Sūduva" wins, it will almost certainly secure the bronze medals?
"Yes. In the last round against Vilnius' "Žalgiris", we would just need a draw."
"Is there significant excitement in Marijampolė before the match with "Vėtra"? Are you expecting a lot of spectators?
"There is a noticeable buzz. It is expected that the stands of the "Sūduva" stadium will be full"
Meanwhile, the captain of Vilnius' "Vėtra" Gediminas Butrimavičius is convinced that the "yellow-blacks" will defeat the "Sūduva" team in Marijampolė on Sunday and win the battle for the bronze.
"Does the captain of "Vėtra" believe in the team's success in Marijampolė?
"I have no doubt that tomorrow "Vėtra" will secure the bronze medals in the championship.
"What makes "Vėtra" better than "Sūduva"?
"The game of "Sūduva" depends heavily on a few players - T.Radzinevičius and D.Maciulevičius. I believe that by covering them, the players from Marijampolė will not be able to resist the team game promoted by "Vėtra". We do not have prominent leaders, but as a team, we are strong. It is important to mention that our defensive line has significantly improved. After an injury, Ž.Grudzinskas returned to the game. I.Steško, J.Raliukonis, Ž.Žudys are playing reliably."
"What would you wish to the" Sūduva" fans who promise to fill the Marijampolė city stadium with more than three thousand seats?
"To be honest, it is great that the people of Marijampolė actively attend the championship matches. I think that a large group of them in the stadium will be a significant help to "Sūduva", but I promise that the stronger team will win..."
