Baltijos Futbolo Akademija
| Full name | Baltijos Futbolo Akademija | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | ||
| Ground | Sportima Arena | ||
| Capacity | 3,157 | ||
| Chairman | Ivan Švabovič | ||
| Manager | David Muslera Rodriguez | ||
| League | LFF I Lyga | ||
| 2024 | LFF I Lyga, 9th | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
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Baltijos Futbolo Akademija, BFA is a Lithuanian professional football club based in Vilnius, established as an extension of the youth football academy.
History
The football academy was established in 2007. The club has been participating in the children and youth championships organized by the Lithuanian Football Federation, as well as international tournaments.
2018
The BFA took part in the LFF II Lyga championship for the first time. The team finished in eighth position, and announced that the team will seek I Lyga license.[1]
2019
The BFA did not qualify for promotion to I Lyga, however the club applied for a license anyway and after an appeal was awarded with one, having met the league criteria. The BFA entered into partnership with FK Vilnius, who offered an addition of several senior players.[2] The venture took on FK Vilnius name, which was approved by the Lithuanian Football Federation. The team was allowed to participate in I Lyga under the BFA license. The league newcomer was expected to fight for higher places in the league and possibly of promotion to the top tier A Lyga. However, the club struggled and were in the relegation zone for the first half of the season. They improved in the second half and managed to finish 11th.
2020
The club announced that the partnership with FK Vilnius is coming to an end. FK Vilnius announced that they are withdrawing from the I Lyga, and will seek the II Lyga license, whereas BFA wanted to continue in the I Lyga. In February, the I Lyga license was approved.[3][4][5]
Seasons
| Season | Tier | League | Position | Web | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | II Lyga | 8th | [6] | Promotion to I Lyga |
| 2019 | 2 | I Lyga | 11th | [7] | (as FK Vilnius) |
| 2020 | 2 | I Lyga | 13th | [8] | |
| 2021 | 2 | I Lyga | 12th | [9] | |
| 2022 | 2 | I Lyga | 7th | [10] | |
| 2024 | 2. | Pirma lyga | 9th | [11] |
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Managers
- Domas Paulauskas (2019)
- Ivan Švabovič (2020)[12]
- Andžėj Falčik (2021)[13]
- Haroldas Šidlauskas (2021–2024)[14]
- David Muslera Rodriguez (December 2024–present)[15]
References
- ^ "Pirmos lygos licencijavime dalyvaus vienas seniausių Lietuvos futbolo klubų". LFF.lt.
- ^ ""Baltijos Futbolo Akademija" ir futbolo klubo "Vilnius" pasirašė bendradarbiavimo sutartį | LFF I Lyga". www.pirmalyga.lt. 7 June 2021.
- ^ "2020 m. sezono I lygos licencijų sieks 14 futbolo klubų ir komandų". LFF.lt.
- ^ "Futbolas.lt – Lietuvos futbolo naujienos". www.sportas.lt.
- ^ "BFA komanda tęs dalyvavimą I-os lygos čempionate". sportas.lt.
- ^ "Lithuanian 2018 LFF 2 Lyga Zone West".
- ^ "Lithuania 2019". RSSSF.
- ^ "Lithuania 2020". RSSSF.
- ^ "Lithuania 2021". RSSSF.
- ^ "Lithuania 2022". RSSSF.
- ^ https://lietuvosfutbolas.lt/klubai/vilniaus-bfa-36093/?cid=17153946
- ^ https://lff.lt/news/10878/pirmos-lygos-pirmo-turo-anonsas/ Archived 7 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ https://www.sportas.lt/naujiena/437616/bfa-treneris-a-falcikas-pries-antra-sezono-puse-norime-buti-stipriausiuju-astuntuke
- ^ https://www.sportas.lt/naujiena/509921/vilniaus-bfa-i-lygos-sezona-pabaige-pasikeitimais-klubui-suteiktas-vilniaus-reprezentacines-komandas-vardas-keisis-vyr-treneris
- ^ BFA komandos vairą perima specialistas iš Ispanijos