Alytis Alytus
Encyclopedia
FK Dainava Alytus is a Lithuanian
football club from Alytus
. The club was established in 2003 as FK Alytis, before being renamed FK Dainava after a merger with FK Vidzgiris Alytus in December 2010.
FK Alytis Alytus were founded in 2003, apparently as the heir of a former club from Alytus also called "Alytis" which existed between 1965 and 2002. Alytis began play at the Lithuanian third level, from which they were immediately promoted in their very first season. The side soon established itself as one of the best teams of the 1 Lyga
, winning the second-level championship in 2005 and 2007 and finishing as runners-up in 2006 and from 2008–2010. The club also participated in the UEFA Regions' Cup in 2007 and 2009.
FK Vidzgiris Alytus were founded in 2000. They were initially not as successful as their city rivals, beginning play in the lower Lithuanian leagues before being promoted to the third-level 2 Lyga for the 2005 season. After spending a couple of seasons near the top of the 2 Lyga, Vidzgiris were eventually granted a 1 Lyga licence for the 2010 season, in which the team finished in third place.
Both teams merged to form FK Dainava Alytus in December 2010 with the goal of successfully applying for a 2011 A Lyga
licence. The licence was eventually granted in March 2011.
The current team is not the first team to play as "Dainava Alytus", as there were several other but unrelated teams who chose this name, with the earliest dating back as far as 1935. However, of these teams, only the 1996–2003 incarnation managed to play at any top-level league, being members of the A Lyga between the 1998–99 and 2001
seasons.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
football club from Alytus
Alytus
Alytus is a city with municipal rights in southern Lithuania. It is the capital of Alytus County. Its population in 2007 was 68,835. Alytus is the historical centre of the Dzūkija region. The city lies on the banks of the Nemunas River. The major highways linking Vilnius, Kaunas, Lazdijai, and...
. The club was established in 2003 as FK Alytis, before being renamed FK Dainava after a merger with FK Vidzgiris Alytus in December 2010.
History
The roots of Dainava can be traced back to two predecessor clubs, FK Alytis and FK Vidzgiris.FK Alytis Alytus were founded in 2003, apparently as the heir of a former club from Alytus also called "Alytis" which existed between 1965 and 2002. Alytis began play at the Lithuanian third level, from which they were immediately promoted in their very first season. The side soon established itself as one of the best teams of the 1 Lyga
1 Lyga
-Participating teams :-2009:-2008:-History:-References:*...
, winning the second-level championship in 2005 and 2007 and finishing as runners-up in 2006 and from 2008–2010. The club also participated in the UEFA Regions' Cup in 2007 and 2009.
FK Vidzgiris Alytus were founded in 2000. They were initially not as successful as their city rivals, beginning play in the lower Lithuanian leagues before being promoted to the third-level 2 Lyga for the 2005 season. After spending a couple of seasons near the top of the 2 Lyga, Vidzgiris were eventually granted a 1 Lyga licence for the 2010 season, in which the team finished in third place.
Both teams merged to form FK Dainava Alytus in December 2010 with the goal of successfully applying for a 2011 A Lyga
2011 A Lyga
The 2011 A Lyga is the 22nd season of the A Lyga, the top-tier football league of Lithuania. The season began on 12 March 2011 and is scheduled to end on 6 November 2011...
licence. The licence was eventually granted in March 2011.
The current team is not the first team to play as "Dainava Alytus", as there were several other but unrelated teams who chose this name, with the earliest dating back as far as 1935. However, of these teams, only the 1996–2003 incarnation managed to play at any top-level league, being members of the A Lyga between the 1998–99 and 2001
2001 LFF Lyga
Final tables of the Lithuanian Championship in 2001 are presented below. The Lithuanian Football Federation organized three football leagues: A Lyga , 1 Lyga , and 2 Lyga , which comprised several regional zones....
seasons.