Lithuania
For the second consecutive season, Suduva proved the pick of the crop, remaining in pole position from gun to tape, even though runnersup Zalgiris had the better head-to-head record, winning three of their five games with Suduva. In a repeat of last year’s Final – in which Stumbras beat Zalgiris – the latter gained revenge with a 3-0 win, courtesy of goals from Tomas Simkovic, Marko Tomic and Marquinhos. Suduva will begin their Champions League journey at the initial qualification phase. Zalgiris, third-place Trakai and Stumbras, who were fourth, will try to force their way into the Europa League proper.
After winning just four games all season, Jonava tumbled out of the top flight. Panevezys won the second division and will have a first taste of the A Lyga. Palanga retained their top-flight status by beating Dainava in a play-off. Suduva’s Croat keeper Ivan Kardum was a key component in his club’s successful title defence, keeping a clean sheet in more than half his starts. Formerly in charge of the national teams of Ghana and Ethiopia, Goa-born Mariano Baretto worked something of a miracle at Stumbras, turning ragged relegation candidates into a solid top-four side. Despite playing for a struggling Atlantas, teenage right-back Deividas Siusa generally gave an excellent account of himself. Poised and disciplined, he was not at all overwhelmed by his promotion from the youth ranks.