Unable to retain their Baltic Women's Football League title, Gintra finished this season with bronze. They defeated Vilnius MFA Žalgiris-MRU on penalties at home in the third-place match. Normal time ended level 2:2 (1–1 at half-time). Neither team scored in extra time, so the outcome was decided from the penalty spot.
Injured defenders Rashida Beal and Laney Peabody were unavailable. American Trista Seara, who joined this week, made her debut after half-time.
Starting lineup: L. Tuomi, A. Mikutaitė, S. Amorim, K. Hawkinson, T. Romanovskaja, S. Jaatinen (103' min. M. Proscevičiūtė), A. Kazarina (68' min. L. Kubiliūtė), M. Hagstrom, E. Šupelytė, S. Shamase (46' min. T. Seara), T. Shamase.
Goals:
„Gintra“: T. Shamase (33'), A. Kazarina (53') one each.
„Žalgiris-MRU“: A. Andrijevskytė (40'), Ž. Lekavičiūtė (51') one each.
The hosts created their first clear chance after 25 minutes. S'phumelele Shamase's skilful effort struck the crossbar, and although Silja Jaatinen reached the rebound first, she could not score. In the 33rd minute, Thubelihle Shamase broke through, rounded Meda Šeškutė and finished into an empty net for 1–0.
The lead did not last long. Augustė Andrijevskytė equalised from a set piece for 1–1.
The teams exchanged goals early in the second half. Žemyna Lekavičiūtė put the visitors ahead in the 51st minute, but Agnieška Kazarina restored parity two minutes later for 2–2.
Jaatinen had an excellent chance to restore Gintra's lead in the 57th minute, but the Finn struck the crossbar again.
Substitute Laura Kubiliūtė shot dangerously in the 71st minute, but Šeškutė saved. A few minutes later, Thubelihle Shamase had another excellent opportunity but could not lift the ball over the goalkeeper.
Moments later, Erika Šupelytė also missed a golden chance, shooting just wide.
Neither team scored again in normal time. Both had excellent opportunities in extra time but failed to convert, sending the match to penalties. The more experienced Gintra players were more accurate and celebrated victory and Baltic League bronze.
The Topo centras Euronics Women's A League returns after the summer break next week. Gintra begin the third cycle of fixtures at home against Hegelmann of Kaunas District at Šiauliai Central Stadium on Sunday, 25 August, at 19:00.
Šiauliai hosts UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying on 4–7 September. In Group 3, the Lithuanian champions compete for one place in the main tournament against legendary Scottish club Celtic, Finnish champions KuPS Kuopio and Moldovan league winners Agarista CSF.
Gintra face Agarista CSF in the semi-final. Stand with the team: every supporter's presence will be especially important! Buy your tickets now through this link.
Goals:
Coach's comments: