Žalgiris

The Case For Them

Žalgiris work as a second team because they come with their own geography: Lithuania, FK Žalgiris' Home Stadium, and a set of rivalries you will absorb faster than you expect.

• The calendar you inherit

  Europe UEFA Europa Conference League is cold-weather football: mud in February, breath visible under the lights, and a fixture list that rewards anyone who sticks it out. Lithuania does not do easy neutrals.

• Modern era club

  Formed in 1947, so the whole story is documented, arguable and still being written. Join now and you were basically there from the start.

• Loaded cabinet

  15 distinct honours on record, including Champions – 11. Adopt them and you inherit expectation, which is more fun than it sounds when the trophies keep coming.

• Close to the pitch

  FK Žalgiris' Home Stadium holds about 5,067. You can hear the defenders shouting at each other, which is the single best argument for lower-capacity football.