Home
FM Discord
YouTube Channel
FM24 Data Update
FM26 Data Update
FM26 OOP Player Roles
Downloads
Graphics
Challenges
Blog
Forums
Videos
Tactics
FM26
FM26 Real Name Fix
FM26 Shortlists
FM26 DB
FM26 Men's Wonderkids
FM26 Women's Wonderkids
FM26 Men's Club Finances
FM26 Women's Club Finances
FM24 Update
FM24
FM23
FM Saves
FM Database
FM Guides
Installation Guides
Records
Search
#414551 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 7
First game we really had to fight for a result. Gandzasar played well with confidence and none other than former Pyunik and Stumbras player Sarkisyan took advantage of a sloppy first half with an unstoppable curler into the top left corner. The home side threatened a lot more than we did and Andreasyan in goal had to be alert all game. Lack of communication allowed us back into the game, a floated ball confused everyone except Ortiz who composed himself to deceive the keeper to pass into Koshoian for a share of the points. Certainly a wake up call.
#414550 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
TRANSFERS
OUT
A good chunk of business took place in the outgoing pile, one name finally got his wish. Harvested healthy profit on youth players such as Putulyan to Shenghavit and Hambardzumyan who were definitely fringe to third/fourth choice at best. Gandzasar took the bait and could potentially rise to £17.25k if criteria are met, a no-brainer deal in truth.
One player I was reluctant to part with was Giel because of his quality, but made sense to sever him from the nucleus before any alienation came about. £65k to Russian Prem'er Liga side FC Orenburg, best we'd have got for him this window.
IN
On top of Ortiz, another Banants striker came through the double doors but only for a loan spell. The fans were disappointed by the news due to it seen as far from a big deal.
Arthur Tevosyan - ST(C) - season long loan from Banants
Experienced, but far from first team quality. My thought process behind this was not to break the bank, nor to unsettle Ortiz and Koshoian with another alpha. Tevosyan has the finishing and first touch sharpness but does lack a lot else. It's a risk free option, unless both of the others suffer injuries (touch wood).
The temptation to complete the Banants reunion with Ortiz and Vaca was too much. Sadly, Vaca opted for home comforts in Bolivian side Bolívar for the season on loan.
In other news, it was a special week for Alexandr Maiorov, earning both a first cap for Armenia plus a shiny news professional deal. How good is this boy?
Mouth-wateringly good for his age in this division and rising. Is he going to replicate a certain Henrikh Mkhitaryan in years to come?
BARDZRAGUYN KHUMB
MATCHDAY 6
Returning to the league environment, it was a momentous day for Hayk Koshoian with a special hat-trick over Alashkert. Hayk complained about not starting games so I put my faith in him to perform and performed he did. Stumbled at the beginning with Arman Hovhannisyan's penalty, but Koshoian stepped up to the plate with two fine finishes and a penalty. Who needs a new striker when you've two in a prime state?
#414413 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 5
The Erebuni sentiment definitely fades fast after a worthless spell, showing our superiority on the field but sadly not on the scoreline. Had this game clamped by the ballsack with 17 year old winger Alexander Maiorov soaring high to nod in the first. Butterfingers goalkeeping gifted us a second, straight into Sargis Barseghyan's path to double our lead. Not our day for strikers; Ortiz made a hash of one chance and hit the post while Hayk Koshoian barely added relevance to his presence.
It'll take a lot more than that to topple us.
RESULTS OVERVIEW
Huffing and panting month, but that was in the Champions and Europa League. The rest? A dawdle. Giel started well this month with goals but now unsettled leaving responsibility to Ortiz and Koshoian who didn't add too much in front of goal. Luckily, our wingers and midfielders are performing exceptionally well to compensate.
LEAGUE TABLE
Shirak bounced back from the opening day defeat, lying one point behind us. Unbeaten and looking brazen, it might be another two horse race season.
ANKAKHUT'YAN GAVAT'
QUARTER FINAL DRAW
Two legs against Alashkert in this pretty Mickey Mouse trophy.
SEPTEMBER 2044 SCHEDULE
On the road all month, Shirak the only real threat I see on the horizon. Two games at Alashkert, one in the cup plus Gandzasar? Can't see us having any trouble.
#414411 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
PLAYOFF, SECOND LEG (AWAY)
I mean there was barely a point to field a team for the second leg, flogging a dead horse in a similar magnitude of a defeat. Rubio and Sanz emulated what they did in the first leg but Pol Mas also joined in the free for all to bite our tongues. Kamil Giel scored what could be his last Pyunik goal to at least part home with a memento. 7-1 aggregate defeat, never trust the Greeks even when they play a 4-3-3.
I mean money is money, almost a milli in one session.
#414410 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
Might be seeing Ortiz changing allegiance very soon, securing Armenian citizenship after five years in the nation.
BARDZRAGUYN KHUMB
MATCHDAY 4
Ah, back at the old stomping grounds to stomp on the club who betrayed me. Ortiz and Karasev lit up the arena that once housed them with stellar performances but it was Arsen Avetisyan who shone brightest to stab home the opener after a melee in the box. Ortiz did the nasty to his first club, pouncing on a goalkeeping fumble to silence the home crowd. To make things that little bit sweeter, Maiorov's cross was turned in by a defender to conclude a happy return to Banants with three goals and three points.
#414408 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
PLAYOFF, FIRST LEG (HOME)
And there's the European terminus narrowly missing out on a group stage position, absolutely PAKO'd by PAOK. Their 4-3-3 setup was frightening and every time they went forward it looked like they were going to score. Migue Rubio and Diego Sanz helped themselves to three between them - three away goals too many to stand a chance back in Greece. Left back Ayvazyan had our best chance, only hitting straight into the keeper's chest. Thank you and goodnight.
#414407 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
Only been here less than a month and it seems Kamil Giel thinks I owe him the liberty of leaving. Turkish club Giresunspor sniffing at him and it didn't take long to have a little kick and a scream.
BARDZRAGUYN KHUMB
MATCHDAY 3
A game that was more shirty than sporty, mind you it did have some action. Both sides had chances, another bad day of the office for Ortiz who spurned two hopeful chances while Ararat hit the post and couldn't get past Andreasyan in net. Two turning points turned the tide of the game in one direction; Filic getting sent off and a late penalty awarded to Ararat was missed by Stepanov who beat the keeper but not the post. We'll take a draw but doesn't prepare us very well for PAOK coming to town next.
#414406 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
"strong centre back".
BARDZRAGUYN KHUMB
MATCHDAY 2
Shenghavit were having nunavit in a demolition job at Vardananq 451. Kamil Giel is a wanted man at present with some scouts looking at him and certainly put on a show for them, just shy of a hat-trick but grabbed two to have the breathing space. Arsen Avetisyan drove low for the third, while Vidovic's replacement Mihov went up to head in from a corner. It could have been a lot more but spared their blushes to pick up the pieces. League is a piece of cake at the moment.
#414403 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 1
What a start to the season, taking down our formidable opponents quite massively. Polish striker Kamil Giel was on hand to finish off Karasev's initial effort swatted away, the rebound was all Kamil's just two minutes in. Shirak had ample chances to get back into it, Oleg Burkov missed two golden chances before we ran away with it. Milko Filic rammed in a free kick and Hayk Koshoian penalty handed further punishment for the best case scenario opening day.
But of course what sort of good fortune would it be if some sort of blowback wasn't attached to it?
#414385 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND, SECOND LEG (HOME)
I'll say it once and I'll say it again - football is a cruel game. No way did we deserve to lose this game, but Maccabi Tel-Aviv used the counter attack to their advantage, demonstrated by Buiú's goal to level the tie up. Most of the key chances were rather...uncreative and rushed to which the game fizzled out into extra time. Hayk Koshoian could not believe when his close range header was somehow tipped onto the underside of the bar and cleared to somehow prevent us from winning it. One mistake can change everything, centre back Vidovic headed straight to the Tel-Aviv players, found a direct pass to Dezan who was too quick to be caught to nudge ahead with a second away goal. Alberto Ortiz didn't have the razzamatazz from the first leg but did give us an inch of a chance with time running out, alas it was too late. Seriously deflating.
Practically a sellout.
Crying our way to the bank too.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
PLAYOFF DRAW
It was one of Krasnodar, Dnipro or this lot. Did we get left with the short end of the stick?
#414365 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
___________________________________________
NEW SIGNING
Alberto Ortiz - ST(C) - £2.5k from Banants
He's back! And what a steal for two and a half grand from my former club! He's definitely transcended into a physical beast and his mentals (composure in particular) have come on strong also. Everything about him is worth every penny and is sure to cause seismic waves in a team that looks as scary as Man City. I repeat, absolute bargain.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND, FIRST LEG (AWAY)
And if you didn't believe me, take a look at who has lifted us into a lofty position going back to our place. We made the Israeli champions look so pedestrian with Karasev hitting the post and Koshoian testing their keeper on a few occasions, their only good chance didn't even hit the target. Ortiz came on in the 70th minute to add that bit more fuel to the fire and what a goal it was from the American - on the edge of the area, dribbles around two defenders before accurately slipping it under Andjelko Ilkic in net. A goal worthy of a win!
RESULTS OVERVIEW
Two games, two wins (discounting the first leg of Trnava - before I took charge). The team looks fighting fit, loose and sharp for what could be a record breaking season. Let's go Phoenixes!
#414338 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
___________________________________________
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND, SECOND LEG (AWAY)
Talk about coherent performance on my first day. Leading 1-0 from the first leg against Slovakian champions Spartak Trnava, the plan was to remain cautious - that plan lasted all of seven minutes when they levelled the tie. Plan B was to smash and grab some away goals to which we did a complete ransack. Evgeny Karasev revealed his true talent with a curler into the top left corner for that crucial permutation. After that we took control; awarded a pen with twenty minutes left where Hayk Koshoian calmly sent the keeper the wrong way and polished off by Sargis Barseghyan's ruthless netbuster. Safely moving on to the next phase.
THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW
Heading not so far south into the land of Israel. Maccabi Tel-Aviv have caused me problems in the past, will it come true for us?
#414242 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
A third cameo in the land of Armenia with one of the bigger sides in the nation, Pyunik (Փյունիկ). Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year from their emergence in 1992 (originally named Homenetmen Yerevan), they've always had that rich vein of success embedded into their bloodstream. 1995 was the first year the club adopted the name Pyunik, which is translated roughly as 'Phoenix' as depicted in their club logo and have been a constant in the Armenian top division, apart from two years between 1999 and 2000 when they were unable to participate for undisclosed reasons (thought to be financial) but did return in 2001. They are the most successful team in Armenia with fourteen league titles and eight domestic cups plus a number of super cups. Kit colours differ between royal blue and white, predominantly royal blue.
The club are based in Armenia's capital city of Yerevan (Երևան), overlooked by the great, aesthetic sight of Mount Ararat in extreme east Turkey (pictured). The historical city is one of the oldest in the world before officially being recognised as a city in 1879 by Alexander II of Russia. The population peaked at over 1.1 million in the 2016 census, which practically makes up over a third of the entire country. Yerevan Cascade, Charles Aznavour Square, the Opera House and Republic Square are just a number of landmarks to visit in this mystic district, but we're all about the football here!
Having moved out of their old Pyunik Stadium to now only facilitate their second team, Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium is recognised as their home ground in 2017. Originally built between 1933 and completed in 1935 as Dinamo Stadium, it needed a serious facelift which brought an entire reconstruction in 1999 and named in honour of Vazgen Sargsyan, Armenian Prime Minister who had been assassinated towards the end of that same year. It is also home of the Armenian national side with a capacity of 14,403, but did sell out at 16,000 for a Euro 2004 qualifier against Spain, despite been well beaten 4-0. The grass surface hosts home games of Pyunik and also Gandzasar due to renovation works to their own stadium.
It goes without saying Pyunik have an eye for any sort of silverware, taking fourteen Bardzraguyn Khumb titles, ten of which consecutively between 2001 and 2010 with their last recorded one being in 2015. Pyunik are also the most successful Ankakut'yan Gavat' performers with eight, last one also recorded in 2015. To top it all off - nine Hayastani SuperGavat's. In European competitions it hasn't gone so well, failing to make it past the second qualifying round of either the Champions League or Europa League over more than fifteen occasions. The national superiority has continued into FM times, however a fierce rivalry has brewed with Shirak, taking the alternate years to nab away the Armenian crown.
SQUAD
A team full of prosperity, loads of quality oozing in various positions including our midfield areas. The familiar face of Evgeny Karasev also returns, having been poached by Pyunik from one of my previous clubs Banants. The average age ranges around mid twenties so there's no real doddery apart from a few experienced heads in key areas such as centre backs and goalkeeper. Yes, I think I'll settle just fine here.
SEASON EXPECTATIONS
Already knee deep in Champions League football so we'll try to be competitive as much as we can in that department. It's clear the board want perpetual triumphs as a bare minimum with both league and cup, the super cup seen as a nonchalant luxury. Equipped with a nice six figure sum for transfer budget, but only stretching over £100k but I doubt we'd see immediate change necessary as long as I see no flaws in our game.
#414070 [FM17] Benevento
DNZY
#413983 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
Nation: Armenia
Media Prediction (Odds): 1st/8 (15-4)
Expectations: Winners
Pros: Strongest club in the nation. Quality squad with a few familiar faces. My one big opportunity to escape this deadend league.
Cons: Shirak are an obstacle.
RESULT:
Look out world, papa might be heading back to Armenia.
#413901 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
@Dan - You'll soon find out!
___________________________________________
The veteran Rom-Lithuanian Ştefan Chiorescu is yet again top of the pops, winning Stumbras player of the season for a second year running. Pavlyukovich definitely a worthy second after a blitzing goalscoring campaign over the season and another player with Romanian roots in the shape of Alexandru Turdean completed the podium. On top of the POTS award, he also won consecutive goal of the season awards with his stunner against Lietava in October. It was also a great season for our Georgian right back Giorgi Abesadze, named as our young player of the season.
https://streamable.com/0m8gn
There was only one man to call to put the ball in the back of the net this season, Pavel Pavlyukovich. What a season he had; 25 goals, 6 man of the match awards and instating himself in the Lithuania setup at long last was the cherry on top. Chiorescu may be 34, but he's been at the forefront of the last two seasons with tireless, stellar box to box midfield play, earning an avg rating of 7.23. Romauldas Birskys deserves a lot of credit that had been eclipsed by Pavel's goal showers, for if it weren't for Birskys' 11 assists he perhaps may not have sealed as many goals. Lukas Zutautas was our best passer again with 90%. Discipline was a lot better this season, Chiorescu collecting a lot of yellows while McParland and Radenkovic were the only ones to receive reds.
Despite their Trojan attitudes, both Pavy and Chiorescu were pipped to the overall player of the season award. Utenis' Scurtu took the spoils.
There was one player who did scoop a major award, Giorgi Abesadze was voted the U21 player of the season or the "best rookie" of the division.
And it was barely a contest for manager of the year. 54% win ratio plus a historic first title was enough to earn it.
On the financial side of things, it was a more positive forecast than last year's three figure percentage loss.
A big increase to sponsorship, hospitality, match day income and competition prize money helped us massively with an extra £640k generated.
It wasn't all good news though, Stumbras administration decided to let our facilities become that bit more primitive.
Alas, that won't be my problem for much longer as I depart Stumbras to my next destination wherever that may be.
The reaction on social media was as expected - disappointment, sadness but still respectful.
#413552 Dominating The World [FM18]
DNZY
#413514 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 33
Concluded the season rather unspectacularly. Tomas Poskus with both goals in a rather entertaining game in Klaipėda that consisted of ten clear cut chances. A straight red for Radenkovic to end his loan spell with an unhappy memory. We were uninspiring in front of goal, not even Pavy could pierce through the Atlantas rearguard who were very organised. Sour end but two trophies cap off a memorable campaign.
RESULTS OVERVIEW
I mean we more or less crawled over the finish line than on our own two feet. Three defeats in five after only four in the other twenty eight is quite unacceptable, I'll let it slide though. Not one striker scored during the playoffs, only midfielders.
FINAL LEAGUE TABLE
And there it is in black and white. CHAMPIONS of Lithuania! If you thought we were bad, take a look at Zalgiris - not a single win in those last five games! The eight point margin persisted all the way, with Zalgiris, Utenis and Suduva making it into the Europa League. Zalgiris Kaunas stayed up by winning their playoff game with FBK Kaunas and of course Lietava relegated.
Trophy count: 22!
#413502 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 32
It needn't matter if we won or lost, but our last home game of the season at least provided some magic as we raised the A Lyga trophy aloft. Despite the frosty surface, chances were aplenty with Kabura testing the woodwork for the nth time early on. A moment of brilliance from Lukas Zutautas, not only did he score a beauty from range but it was also his first Stumbras goal in 116 appearances. Trakai were already on the beach with nothing to play for, Zutautas' partner in crime in central midfield Turdean snuck in a second before the day was out. Petr Zavadil must hate this fixture, third red card in this fixture in this season alone.
#413446 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 31
Unbelievable. Total capitulation left us red faced against ten man Suduva. Arnas Zukauskas really showing his worth lately, however his goal was somewhat controversial in the form of a cross-cum-goal and Kabura seemingly interfered with the goalkeeper's movement, but it stood. Djurdjek gave us just desserts for it, tapping in with ease after leaving him too exposed in the box. Calija's red was the turning point, but in reverse. We were all over the shop in the second half; Turbic stunned us with a header to give the invalids a shock lead and committing too many men forward meant getting caught on the break, Cesnauskis applied the damage. A lot of shots, a lot of wasted efforts. Zalgiris play Sunday knowing that they've a golden opportunity.
Aaaaaand it's gone! Utenis frustrate them and leave it ending in a stalemate.
...meaning...
BOOOOOOOOOYS WE'VE DONE IT!! The A Lyga comes to Stumbras Kaunas for the very first time in the club's history against all expectations! What a marvellous moment for a side who certainly deserve to drink it all in.
#413440 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 30
I'm at a loss to explain this. Think we were too blinkered on the crown and not at the match at hand. An humdrum first half was greeted with a top corner finish by Turdean to send us ahead. The lead lasted less than four minutes when a completely unmarked Eliosius from a free kick had time and space to safely guide home. I'd have been happy with a point if all else fails but Utenis came out of nowhere to turn it around, Paukste's effort hit the ankles of Tarasevich to dupe Zukauskas into diving the wrong way, diverting it in. Adrian Burcă nearly ended a mini goal drought late on but denied by Utenis keeper Zaqaryan to leave a cloud of doubt hanging over Stumbras' players and supporters.
BUT it wasn't all doom and gloom, Trakai took down Zalgiris to keep the lead at eight with now only three games remaining! A point might just do it in our next game.
#413435 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
Could they throw any more obstacles in our path before our biggest game of the season?
A LYGA CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF
MATCHDAY 29
So important, maintaining our eight point lead with only four games left. We certainly got out of jail though after our left back's horrendous back pass put dangerman Klimavicius in to give Zalgiris the lead. Almost immediately we retaliated, Arnas Zukauskas dribbled wonderfully in the box before striking in from a tight angle to level it up. Both sides spurned winning plays thereafter; firstly Entonio Rrapaj forced Raimondas Zukauskas into a fine save and in the concluding five minutes, Pavlyukovich could've been the hero as he broke free but his final effort lacked any sort of power straight into the keepers arms. Happily walk away with that!
#413279 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 28
Grabbed what was necessary in our final regular season game. Pavlyukovich is getting a lot more useful with his head, using his noggin to have us on our way. Atlantas didn't put up much of a fight and it ruined their chances late on when Chiorescu added the gloss to an important win. We're nearly there boys!
I'll give my first born to Vytis for Chiorescu, what a solid purchase for the club.
Pavy and Chiorescu came clutch in these two wins. Unbeaten in seven and only one defeat in thirteen. This doesn't f*cking slip now!
FINAL LEAGUE TABLE (REGULAR SEASON)
A huge centrepiece in the story as Zalgiris drop points to Trakai, moving eight points clear with only five games left! Suduva and co are too far off to trouble us. Lietava suffered relegation while our dear rivals Zalgiris Kaunas do battle in the relegation playoff.
CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Hot damn, first ones up where a win will all but secure it. Defeat and it comes down to the final four games. Bold prediction: I'm expecting the news to ring out by the Trakai game. Surely winning one of the last four is doable.
#413275 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
What a lovely surprise! Pavlyukovich decided to abandon his Belorussian roots and pursue an international career with Lithuania, securing his first cap in a friendly win over Kosovo. Glad he's getting the notice he deserves.
#RoadTo1000.
A LYGA
MATCHDAY 27
Not sure what game LRT were watching, implying we were defensive against relegation threatened Lietava - we demolished them in front of goal. Fresh off his first cap, Pavel Pavlyukovich headed in the opener before a potential goal of the season from Chiorescu while Kabura drove in a third to have the Lietava fans stream out of the stands to miss the traffic home. A consolatory goal from former Stumbras striker Edgars Jakovlevs gave little to no joy as the final result confirmed their drop back down to the 1.Lyga.
#413267 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 26
Just to finish this month off even sweeter, Suduva well and truly brushed aside. A breathless last six or seven minutes of the half as the goals just rained in; Kabura latched onto the rebound of a Turdean effort for 1-0, conceded in typical us fashion for 1-1, then the evergreen Ştefan Chiorescu used his set piece wisdom to convert twice from free kicks to complete the scoring. The other 83 minutes weren't as regal, only a red card for Suduva's Calilja to make it harder for them.
RESULTS OVERVIEW
Thus ends a glorious month, four wins and a well earned draw against Zalgiris - happy days!
LEAGUE TABLE
Seven games left, now looking to be a two horse race between us and Zalgiris with a six point lead. Suduva are surely out of it, languishing twelve points behind.
OCTOBER 2043 SCHEDULE
Two games left in the regular season, one banker and the other a little trickier. I'll let you fill the blanks.
#413265 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
Keeping everyone in suspense for the LFF taurė final, our youth intake came through. I'll admit, I'm slightly disappointed. Not one guaranteed a potential 4* PA.
Aurimas Jankauskas - AM(R) - youth intake
The best of the lot sadly. A bit quicker than Arnas Zukauskas minus the creative abilities.
LFF TAURĖ
FINAL
In Stumbras' short spell as a recognised club, it's only their second ever cup final. Their only other appearance was in 2034, losing 3-2 to Trakai. On the other hand, opponents Utenis have secured this trophy before back in 2039, a solid 3-1 win over Silas had them leaping with joy. Who's day was it to be?
An almighty anticlimax, but STUMBRAS ARE LFF TAURĖ CHAMPIONS!! Almost a chore to compile a highlights package for this match, absolutely horrendous game. Fast forward through 120 minutes, I'm surprised the stadium didn't start emptying out. The penalty shootout wasn't much better but did provide some entertainment. Raimondas Zukauskas stopped three of their four spot kicks, while we also missed two.
Romauldas Birskys had the ice in his veins to finish the penultimate penalty with precision to walk away with the trophy. The bisons finally secure silverware!
Oh stop, you're making me blush.
#413261 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 25
The acid test before the cup final ended all square to boost our confidence. Pavlyukovich couldn't believe his luck when a baffling 30 yard backpass landed straight to him and had no problem giving us an early advantage. Zalgiris still remained scarily good, especially on the counter and wasted a handful of clear cut opportunities before eventually breaking through our defensive shield, left winger Laimonas Brazinskas erasing our lead. Nothing changes at the top, just one less game for Zalgiris to catch up.
#413259 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 24
I mean if we play like this, the cup will be ours. The mock final went our way in a rather surprising 3-0 away day. I say rather surprising, Utenis didn't play bad at all...we were just better. An unlucky o.g. from Kancelskis, a rare goal for Birskys and an obligatory Pavlyukovich deep, deep into injury time had us laughing all the way to the Zalgiris game. Utenis to their credit fought really hard in the second half, but Zukauskas just would not be beaten, making two super stops to keep the goal blank. Makovskiy's red at the end summarised their day.
Blitzing everything and everyone this year.
A slight setback, Kabura a major doubt for the Zalgiris game.
Marcinkevicius, a certainty.
#413256 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
LFF TAURĖ
SEMI FINAL
We're in the LFF taurė final! It was more a frail slapfest than a crusade, both sides failing miserably to break the silence within the allotted 90 minutes. FBK were more likely in truth in a match destined for penalties, but it did take a penalty to win the game. 118th minute; Malinauskas was bundled over, brushed the dirt off his shoulder and slotted the penalty away himself. It won't go to an archive vault, but we'll go to the LFF stadionas in an effort to lift the treasured cup.
It goes to show that rivalries outweigh glitz and glamour, smashing our attendance record for the third time this year alone.
FINAL DRAW
A lot of big teams hit the deck, leaving only Utenis as the final pairing. Surely we've got this in the bag?!
#413221 San Marino Challenge FM18!
DNZY
Yes, if you have any nation's league loaded you'll be able to manager their national team too.