The 2025 Lithuanian women's football season is nearly here, and defending champions Gintra are preparing for ambitious challenges under new English head coach Steve Beeks. A key objective, retaining the squad's core, has been achieved. With several newcomers also joining, Gintra approach the season positively.
Beeks replaced Finland's Olli-Pekka Ojala after the 2024 season and is now in his third month with the team, having settled into Šiauliai and his new football environment. His philosophy is clear: winning requires effectiveness in every area, with consistent work and discipline providing the foundations.
We spoke to head coach Beeks about preparations, challenges and his first impressions of Šiauliai.
– Coach, the season is almost here. How do you assess preparations so far, and what are your main goals?
– Preparations are going smoothly. The young players show a strong desire to improve and are moving in the right direction. Some players joined late, and when they arrived, the Lithuanian internationals left for ten days, so we've had few full-squad sessions. Still, working in smaller groups allows us to focus on details and clarify the key aspects.
Our main goals are to win the Lithuanian championship, regain the Baltic League title and get through the first Champions League qualifying group.
– The first competitive match is against Riga RFS in the Baltic League on 8 March. How are you preparing, and do you have information about the opponents?
– I haven't watched them yet, but I think they are at a similar preparation stage. It will be a very difficult opener, and we certainly won't be at our optimum level. However, I'm confident we will be competitive and perform solidly.
– Several players from different countries joined this winter. How are they settling in, and what impression have they made in training?
– They have a professional approach. Overall, I'm very pleased with the squad and our potential. I see plenty of room for development, but understand it takes time. It's a long season and many things will happen; the key is staying focused on our main objectives.
– What has surprised you most during preparations?
– I don't want to be negative, but the team's relatively low aerobic fitness surprised me somewhat. If we want to compete successfully in Champions League qualifying, we have significant work to do here. We have around four or five months to reach another physical level.
– What kind of Gintra team would you like to see this season?
– My key word is effectiveness. Individually and collectively, I want us to be effective in every situation, both attacking and defending. That will be our aim throughout the season.
– You've lived in Šiauliai for several months. What are your first impressions of the city, people and Lithuanian football culture? Any favourite places yet?
– I really like it here! My favourite place is the disc golf course, although I need to improve because my eleven-year-old son often beats me [laughs]. He trains a lot and competed at last year's World Junior Championships in the USA. I also enjoy walking; the central pedestrian street and lakeside path impressed me. Šiauliai is very welcoming, and my family and I feel at home.
– What main challenges do you expect this season, domestically and internationally?
– I always expect my team to improve throughout the season and results to develop consistently. Interesting, serious challenges and ambitious goals await us at home and abroad. It's especially important to me that every player develops and that this shows in the team's play. The biggest challenge is avoiding injuries and maintaining high fitness levels. That could decisively influence our season.
The Lithuanian champions play their first competitive match of 2025 on 8 March, seeking an away Baltic League victory against ambitious Riga RFS.