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Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the LFF II Lyga (3rd Lithuanian League).
[edit] History
Originally the team was founded in 1960 as Banga Kaunas. After Lithuania regained its independence the club was restructured. In 1993 Banga Kaunas was renamed FBK Kaunas and the baseball section added (which later separated and became BK Lituanica Kaunas), hence the original name in Lithuanian is Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas. FBK Kaunas are sponsored by Ūkio bankas, a bank which has Vladimir Romanov as its principal shareholder. In October 2005 Mr Romanov became the majority shareholder of Scottish Premier League side, Heart of Midlothian. Romanov has since used Kaunas as a feeder club for Hearts by allowing the SPL side to loan many players, such as Edgaras Jankauskas, Bruno Aguiar, Andrius Velička, Nerijus Barasa, Marius Žaliūkas and Roman Bednář, the latter signing a permanent deal for Hearts on 31 August 2006. Kaunas have played Celtic, Rangers and Liverpool in Champions League qualifying stages. On 5 August 2008, FBK Kaunas defeated Rangers, 2-1, to advance to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League for the first time. The game was won in dramatic circumstances as Kaunas had to come from behind and finally took the lead just four minutes from time. Linas Pilibaitis was the scorer.After finishing second in 2008 A Lyga championship the club's president announced that the club is moving back to LFF I Lyga,the 2nd league in Lithuanian football system.They said that this is being done because of bad refereeing and fraud of the A Lyga's owners.But this turned out to be worse for Kaunas,who was thrown to LFF II lyga (consisting of amateur teams) for its actions.Kaunas said goodbye to most of the best players and the president told that the club's vision is to search for young talents.So far,the club is doing good,having not conceded a single goal in 5 II Lyga matches it is undoubtedly the favorite of the league.FBK Kaunas will also participate in the new UEFA Europe League as a vice-champ of Lithuania.[1]
[edit] Players
[edit] Current squad
As of 29 April 2009[2]
Personal
[edit] Out on loan
[edit] Honours
- A Lyga
- Champions 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007
- Lithuanian Cup
- Winners 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008
- Lithuanian Super Cup
- Baltic League
[edit] Season-by-season
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Gintaras Ugianskis
