The Lithuanian A Lyga

A Lyga

The A Lyga is the top division of professional football in Lithuania. It is organized by LFF . League size has varied between 8 and 12 teams over the past few years; for its 2011 season, the league features 12 teams...

 2009 was the 20th season of top-tier football in Lithuania. The season started on 4 April 2009 and ended on 31 October 2009. Ekranas

FK Ekranas

Futbolo Klubas Ekranas is a Lithuanian football club, playing in the town of Panevėžys.The club was founded in 1964.It has won Lithuanian championships in 1985 , 1993, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Lithuanian Cup in 1985 , 1998, 2000, 2010 and 2011 and the Lithuanian Super Cup in 1998, 2006, 2010...

 successfully defended their title.

Promotion and relegation

Šilutė

FK Šilute

FK Šilutė is a Lithuanian football team from the city of Šilutė. The team plays in the Lithuanian first division 1 Lyga.- Participation in Lithuanian Championships :* 2003 - 3rd * 2004 - 6th* 2005 - 6th...

 were relegated to the 1 Lyga

1 Lyga

-Participating teams :-2009:-2008:-History:-References:*...

 after finishing the 2008 season in last place. They were replaced by 1 Lyga champions Tauras

FK Tauras Tauragė

FK Tauras is a Lithuanian football team from the city of Tauragė. The team plays in the A Lyga, Lithuania's highest football division.- Name :During its history the club has changed its name several times:*1922 – Tauragės Sporto Sąjunga*19?? – Šauliai...

.

Pre-season controversy

The Lithuania

Lithuania

Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...

n top football division was shaken to its core after FBK Kaunas

FBK Kaunas

Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the A Lyga, the top level of Lithuanian football.- History :...

 and Atlantas

FK Atlantas

FK Atlantas is a Lithuanian football team from the port city of Klaipėda. The team currently plays on the first level of the Lithuanian football league pyramid....

 withdrew their participation on 20 March 2009. Both teams cited serious differences with the Lithuanian Football Federation

Lithuanian Football Federation

The Lithuanian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Lithuania. The Federation is responsible for football development in the country and for the national teams, including the Lithuania national football team. It is based in Vilnius. LFF became a member of FIFA in 1923, but...

 over the way the league has been led in the past as a reason. This was the second blow to the league within two weeks after Žalgiris

FK Žalgiris Vilnius

VMFD Žalgiris is a Lithuanian football club, playing in the capital, Vilnius. They have won the Lithuanian Championship three times: 1991, 1992, and 1999. The team's colours are green and white...

 were denied a license for this season because of excessive financial problems on 6 March 2009.

As a consequence, the chairman of the National Football Clubs' Association (NFKA), Gintaras Ugianskis, resigned from his post. Further, the organization of the league was put into the hands of the LFF.

The 2009 A Lyga consists of eight teams chosen from all teams of both A Lyga

A Lyga

The A Lyga is the top division of professional football in Lithuania. It is organized by LFF . League size has varied between 8 and 12 teams over the past few years; for its 2011 season, the league features 12 teams...

 and 1 Lyga. Teams with a higher 2008 season rank had a preference to enter. Clubs being interested in a participation could submit their application until 26 March 2009.

On 27 March 2009, the LFF announced the three replacement teams. Banga Gargždai

FK Banga Gargždai

FK Banga Gargždai is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Gargždai. The team earned promotion to the A Lyga, Lithuanias top football division, for the 2009 season after FBK Kaunas and Atlantas Klaipėda voluntarily withdrew their participation...

, LKKA ir Teledema Kaunas and Kruoja Pakruojis

FK Kruoja Pakruojis

FK Kruoja Pakruojis is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Pakruojis. The team first played in the A Lyga, Lithuania's top football division, in 2009. They were promoted after FBK Kaunas and Atlantas Klaipėda voluntarily withdrew.-Current squad:...

 were appointed to the league.
Further, the LFF classified FBK Kaunas and Atlantas to play in the third-tier II Lyga

II Lyga

Lithuanian Football Federation's II league – third tier Lithuanian football championship. Up till 2007 it consisted of 3 zones. In 2007 Western zone was merged into Northern zone, which was renamed in 2008 to Western zone again:- Teams :...

 because of "unethical conduct and other irregularities" while Žalgiris were granted a license for the second-level 1 Lyga.

Clubs

Club	Location	Stadium	Capacity	Current manager
Banga FK Banga Gargždai FK Banga Gargždai is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Gargždai. The team earned promotion to the A Lyga, Lithuanias top football division, for the 2009 season after FBK Kaunas and Atlantas Klaipėda voluntarily withdrew their participation...	Gargždai Gargždai Gargždai is a city in western Lithuania located in Klaipėda County. The Minija River flows through the city. Gargždai Stadium is its main sports venue.Gargždai is the Lithuanian name of the city...	Gargždai Stadium Gargždai Stadium Gargždai Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Gargždai, Lithuania. It is mostly used for football matches and hosts the home games of the team, FK Banga Gargždai, of the A Lyga. The capacity of the stadium is 2,000 spectators.-External links:*...	800	Vytautas Jančiauskas
Ekranas FK Ekranas Futbolo Klubas Ekranas is a Lithuanian football club, playing in the town of Panevėžys.The club was founded in 1964.It has won Lithuanian championships in 1985 , 1993, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Lithuanian Cup in 1985 , 1998, 2000, 2010 and 2011 and the Lithuanian Super Cup in 1998, 2006, 2010...	Panevėžys Panevežys Panevėžys see also other names, is the fifth largest city in Lithuania. As of 2008, it occupied 50 square kilometers with 113,653 inhabitants. The largest multifunctional arena in Panevėžys is the Cido Arena...	Aukštaitija Stadium Aukštaitija Stadium Aukštaitija Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Panevėžys, Lithuania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of FK Ekranas Panevėžys. It is named after Aukštaitija, one of the five regions of Lithuania.-See also:**...	4,000	Valdas Urbonas
Kruoja FK Kruoja Pakruojis FK Kruoja Pakruojis is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Pakruojis. The team first played in the A Lyga, Lithuania's top football division, in 2009. They were promoted after FBK Kaunas and Atlantas Klaipėda voluntarily withdrew.-Current squad:...	Pakruojis Pakruojis Pakruojis is a city in Lithuania. It is situated on the Kruoja River, which has a dam above the city. 43 buildings of the manor, mentioned in 1531, survived to this day....	Pakruojis city stadium	1,000	Aidas Dambrauskas
LKKA ir Teledema	Kaunas Kaunas Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...	Kaunas LŽŪU stadium	1,000	Viačislavas Novikovas
Sūduva	Marijampolė Marijampole Marijampolė is an industrial city and the capital of the Marijampolė County in the south of Lithuania, bordering Poland and Russian Kaliningrad oblast, and Lake Vištytis. The population of Marijampolė is 48,700...	Sūduva Stadium Suduva stadium Arvi arena Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Marijampolė, Lithuania. The stadium was built using funds from the European Union and opened on July 6, 2008. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of FK Sūduva...	6,260	Gedeminas Jarmalavičius
Šiauliai FK Šiauliai FK Šiauliai is a Lithuanian football team from the city of Šiauliai. The team plays in the Lithuanian top division A Lyga.Before 2004 it was known as "Sakalas Šiauliai".- Participation in Lithuanian Championships :* 2003 – 8th* 2004 – 1st...	Šiauliai Šiauliai Šiauliai , is the fourth largest city in Lithuania, with a population of 133,900. It is the capital of Šiauliai County. Unofficially, the city is the capital of Northern Lithuania.-Names:...	Savivaldybė Stadium Savivaldybe Stadium Savivaldybė Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Šiauliai, Lithuania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of FK Šiauliai. The stadium holds 4,000 people....	2,430	Deivis Kančelskis
Tauras FK Tauras Tauragė FK Tauras is a Lithuanian football team from the city of Tauragė. The team plays in the A Lyga, Lithuania's highest football division.- Name :During its history the club has changed its name several times:*1922 – Tauragės Sporto Sąjunga*19?? – Šauliai...	Tauragė Taurage Tauragė is an industrial city in Lithuania, and the capital of Tauragė County. In 2011, its population was 26,444. Tauragė is situated on the Jūra River, close to the border with the Kaliningrad Oblast, and not far from the Baltic Sea coast....	Vytauto Stadium	1,600	Jurijs Popkovs Jurijs Popkovs Jurijs Popkovs is a Latvian football manager and a former footballer.-Playing career:Jurijs Popkovs was born in Kiev, Ukraine. His first professional club was Dynamo Minsk which he joined in 1980. In four years which he stayed with Dynamo he made only one appearance in the Soviet Top League...
Vėtra FK Vetra FK Vėtra was a Lithuanian football team from the capital city of Vilnius.- History :The club was founded in 1997 and was initially based in Rūdiškės, a settlement in Vilnius district, and moved in 2003 to Vilnius city with the purchase of its own stadium....	Vilnius Vilnius Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...	Vėtra Stadium Vetra Stadium LFF Stadium , formerly known as Vėtra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Vilnius, Lithuania. Currently is under construction to meet level 3 UEFA stadium status. Before it was used mostly for football matches and was the home stadium of FK Vėtra. The stadium holds 5 500 people and was built...	5,300	Virginijus Liubšys

League table

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Results

Every team will play each other four times, twice at home and twice on the road, for a total of 28 games.

First half of season

Second half of season

Top goalscorers

Last updated: 26 October 2009; Source: futbolas.lt

Pos.	Player	Club	Goals
1	Valdas Trakys Valdas Trakys Valdas Trakys is a Lithuanian footballer, who plays for Greek club Anagennisi Epanomi.-Playing career:Trakys started his professional career in 1995 with FK Panerys Vilnius in his native Lithuania. He played for FC Harelbeke and FBK Kaunas before moving to Russia to play for Torpedo Moscow...	Ekranas FK Ekranas Futbolo Klubas Ekranas is a Lithuanian football club, playing in the town of Panevėžys.The club was founded in 1964.It has won Lithuanian championships in 1985 , 1993, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Lithuanian Cup in 1985 , 1998, 2000, 2010 and 2011 and the Lithuanian Super Cup in 1998, 2006, 2010...	20
2-4	Tadas Kijanskas Tadas Kijanskas Tadas Kijanskas is a Lithuanian international professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for Korona Kielce.-Club:In June 2010, he joined Jagiellonia Białystok on one year contract....	Vėtra FK Vetra FK Vėtra was a Lithuanian football team from the capital city of Vilnius.- History :The club was founded in 1997 and was initially based in Rūdiškės, a settlement in Vilnius district, and moved in 2003 to Vilnius city with the purchase of its own stadium....	11
	Mantas Kuklys	Šiauliai FK Šiauliai FK Šiauliai is a Lithuanian football team from the city of Šiauliai. The team plays in the Lithuanian top division A Lyga.Before 2004 it was known as "Sakalas Šiauliai".- Participation in Lithuanian Championships :* 2003 – 8th* 2004 – 1st...
	Ričardas Beniušis Ricardas Beniušis Ricardas Beniušis is a Lithuanian footballer.Beniušis started his career with Inkaras Kaunas in his homeland, returning there after short spells with Russian clubs Baltika Kaliningrad and Krylya Sovetov Samara...	Sūduva FK Suduva FK Sūduva is a football club from the city of Marijampolė, Lithuania.At the UEFA Cup 2002-03 tournament Sūduva twice defeated S.K. Brann of Norway 3–2. During the home game 21-year-old Tomas Radzinevičius scored a hat-trick. Their next opponent, Glasgow Celtic, of Scotland proved to be much...
5	Egidijus Varnas Egidijus Varnas Egidijus Varnas is a Lithuanian football forward currently playing for FK Ekranas.Varnas made two appearances for the Lithuania national football team during 2001.-References:...	Ekranas FK Ekranas Futbolo Klubas Ekranas is a Lithuanian football club, playing in the town of Panevėžys.The club was founded in 1964.It has won Lithuanian championships in 1985 , 1993, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Lithuanian Cup in 1985 , 1998, 2000, 2010 and 2011 and the Lithuanian Super Cup in 1998, 2006, 2010...	10
6-7	Povilas Lukšys Povilas Lukšys Povilas Lukšys is a Lithuanian footballer who plays for Polonia Bytom football club as a striker. He signed for FK Ekranas during the 1995–96 season. In 2005, Lukšys helped FK Ekranas to win the A Lyga. Throughout the season he scored 19 goals and was the 3rd top scorer in the league. In...	Sūduva FK Suduva FK Sūduva is a football club from the city of Marijampolė, Lithuania.At the UEFA Cup 2002-03 tournament Sūduva twice defeated S.K. Brann of Norway 3–2. During the home game 21-year-old Tomas Radzinevičius scored a hat-trick. Their next opponent, Glasgow Celtic, of Scotland proved to be much...	9
	Mindaugas Grigalevičius Mindaugas Grigalevicius Mindaugas Grigalevičius is a Lithuanian footballer, currently playing for Armenian Premier League side Mika Yerevan.Grigalevičius has made two appearances for the Lithuania national football team.-References:...	Vėtra FK Vetra FK Vėtra was a Lithuanian football team from the capital city of Vilnius.- History :The club was founded in 1997 and was initially based in Rūdiškės, a settlement in Vilnius district, and moved in 2003 to Vilnius city with the purchase of its own stadium....
8-10	Israel Awenayeri Douglas	Banga FK Banga Gargždai FK Banga Gargždai is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Gargždai. The team earned promotion to the A Lyga, Lithuanias top football division, for the 2009 season after FBK Kaunas and Atlantas Klaipėda voluntarily withdrew their participation...	8
	Igoris Morinas Igoris Morinas Igoris Morinas is a Lithuanian international footballer who plays as a striker, who is part of the FK Žalgiris Vilnius squad.- Career :...	Kruoja FK Kruoja Pakruojis FK Kruoja Pakruojis is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Pakruojis. The team first played in the A Lyga, Lithuania's top football division, in 2009. They were promoted after FBK Kaunas and Atlantas Klaipėda voluntarily withdrew.-Current squad:...
	Andrius Urbšys	Sūduva FK Suduva FK Sūduva is a football club from the city of Marijampolė, Lithuania.At the UEFA Cup 2002-03 tournament Sūduva twice defeated S.K. Brann of Norway 3–2. During the home game 21-year-old Tomas Radzinevičius scored a hat-trick. Their next opponent, Glasgow Celtic, of Scotland proved to be much...