Before the last home match of “Žalgiris” in the UEFA Conference League, D. Šemberas was honored as a club legend and shared his thoughts with the audience.
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The footballer born in Vilnius began his path at the “Žalgiris” football school. According to D. Šemberas, the opportunity to wear the main capital team’s jersey was then the greatest dream of every young Vilnius footballer.
“I grew up watching players who were my idols – Arminas Narbekovas, Viačeslavas Sukristovas, Virginijus Baltušnikas, Valdas Ivanauskas, Robertas Fridrikas, Arvydas Janonis and other golden “Žalgiris” footballers. They inspired me to strive for heights and train even more. At the old “Žalgiris” stadium, it was a huge honor even to hand them the balls and be close to such players,” he said.
A special place in D. Šemberas’ memories is also held by the legendary coach, the late Benjaminas Zelkevičius.
“I clearly remember how Benjaminas Zelkevičius invited me to the “Žalgiris” base and offered me my first professional contract. I was probably 15 or 16 years old then. For a young footballer, growing up alongside such people and such a club was an extraordinary experience,” said the former Lithuanian national team player.
Although during his career D. Šemberas became one of the most decorated Lithuanian footballers, he himself did not think about the status of a legend. The most important thing for him was always the team’s result.
“The footballer who shone brightest on the field. I could be invisible, I could, as they say, carry the piano while others played it, but the most important thing was that we could all enjoy the victories together. What drove me the most were the trophies won and the first places,” said the player who won the 2005 UEFA Cup.
After a long and successful career abroad, he returned to “Žalgiris” in 2014. In two years with the capital team, the footballer won Lithuanian champion titles, national cups, and the Supercup, but the unsuccessful campaign in the UEFA Champions League left bitterness.
The 2015 UEFA Champions League qualifying match against “Malmö”. After a draw away, Žalgiris lost 0:1 to the opponents in Vilnius and did not advance to the next stage.
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“We definitely did not play badly, the match was quite even, but one ricochet determined our failure. We played very well away and returned to Vilnius hoping for a better result, but such things happen in football. It was painful because we failed to advance to the next stage. It’s a pity that with “Žalgiris” we couldn’t reach the Champions League group stage. At that time, there was a different system, and it was much harder to do so. I myself have played in the Champions League quarterfinals, round of 16, and group stage, so I know what this tournament means to every footballer. It is the highest level club tournament where the best players in the world play,” he said.
D. Šemberas expressed hope that in the future the atmosphere of the Champions League will be felt by current and future “Žalgiris” footballers. However, according to him, this requires long-term and consistent work.
“A lot of work and investment is needed – not only in legionnaires but also in our football schools and youth development. Maybe it will take not five, but ten years, but I want to believe that “Žalgiris” can one day play in the main stage and strive for results,” said the former Lithuanian national team captain.
D. Šemberas also appreciated the increased interest in “Žalgiris” matches this season and the filling stadium stands.
“Great work is being done with the spectators. This is a good example for all clubs on how to communicate with their audience and attract them to the stadium. We already see greater interest in the league – both in front of TV screens and in stadiums. If this path is followed not only in Vilnius but also in other cities, football will grow, and we will all be able to enjoy a larger audience and better results,” he said.
Now D. Šemberas is happy to see his former longtime comrade Andrius Skerla in the coach’s position.
“I believe in Andrius, I know what he can do. I know him very well. We grew up together from the first days at the “Žalgiris” football school. Andrius is a great person, personality, and coach,” said D. Šemberas.
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