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The country's vice-champion in the Panevezys inter-season is undergoing changes. After the last season, the team's head coach Virginijus Liubšys stepped down from his position, replaced by Saulius Širmelis, who leads the Lithuanian youth team. In addition, several new players have joined the team, while some veterans are seeking their luck abroad.
This week, the residents of Panevezys announced contracts with goalkeeper Deimantas Bička and midfielder Dainius Gleveckas. When asked by EuroFootball.com why these players were invited to the team, S. Širmelis named their origin and skill as the main reasons.
"First of all, they are both from Panevezys. I think that is very important. In addition, both D. Bička and D. Gleveckas are truly high-level players, having achieved certain things. D. Bička already played excellently in the first friendly matches, and we are looking forward to seeing D. Gleveckas perform. It's unclear how they will fare during the season, but with this move, we tried to strengthen the team," said the coach.
According to the new "Ekranas" strategist, it is not yet clear whether Gediminas Paulauskas (participating in a review by Krasnodar's "Kuban" team) and Arūnas Klimavičius (participating in a review by Moscow's "Dynamo") will leave the team, but the club will seek reinforcement regardless.
"We are looking for a midfielder. No matter how much we want to, injuries and cards are inevitable during the season, so substitutions are definitely necessary. In addition, competition on the left side would only benefit us," shared S. Širmelis with EuroFootball.com.
It is likely that the team will be strengthened by a foreign player, as finding capable Lithuanians is quite difficult. According to S. Širmelis, all compatriots that "Ekranas" would like to acquire already have contracts.
The coach insisted that the club has not set any goals for him and the players yet: "Official goals have not been set, and probably won't be until the team is finalized. However, I think that this year will not be exceptional – we will strive to fight for victory in every match and achieve as much as possible in all championships."
