Ireland’s top soccer clubs may be struggling to overcome financial problems, but Lithuanian international Mindaugas Kalonas – currently plying his trade with Dublin’s Bohemians – believes that the soccer scene here has great potential. He spoke to VIKTOR POSUDNEVSKY about life in Ireland and why Lithuania’s international side is going from strength to strength.
“You can’t grow as a footballer in Lithuania,” says Mindaugas Kalonas, a Lithuanian international midfielder playing with Bohemians, one of Ireland’s most famous soccer clubs. “There are no proper conditions and the clubs do not get enough funding. I think in Ireland the conditions are much better. You have good fields and stadiums. For me, at least, football is on the level here. In Ireland you can play and improve your skills.”
Tw e n t y - f o u r- y e a r- o l d Kalonas, originally from the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, was drafted in by Bohemians in July to boost their midfield ranks. The table-toppers are now the hot favourites to win the Premier Division of the FAI eircom League, the top soccer division in the country, and Kalonas’ experience has certainly helped thus far.
Kalonas, a small, skilful player who is good at getting in goal-scoring positions, came to prominence playing for Latvian clubs FHK Liepājas Metalurgs and FK Riga. It was after a game in which the latter team defeated Bohemians that the Dublin club’s manager, Pat Fenlon, made enquiries about the young midfielder.
“He talked to my agent and my agent talked to me and finally I decided to come here and see how it goes,” recalls Kalonas.
The Lithuanian signed a contract for six months with Bohemians, and with three months left, he is still unsure whether he will stay or move on. “That would depend on many different things,” he says, adding that his ultimate dream has always been to play in England or Spain.
Kalonas has already fulfilled one dream – that of representing his country. He has 33 caps for the Lithuanian national team, and recently scored his first international goal in a World Cup qualifier game against Romania.
Soccer remains somewhat eclipsed by basketball in Lithuania, but the national soccer team has recently shown major signs of improvement. According to Kalonas, new manager José Couceiro – a Portueguese coach who formerly managed Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas and Portugal’s under-21 side – has been influential in this renaissance. Indeed, Lithuania recently opened its World Cup qualification series with impressive wins over tough opposition in the form of Romania and Austria, recording clean-sheets in both encounters.
Asked what he thinks the outcome would be if Lithuania came up against Ireland, Kalonas says: “I think that would be a very interesting game because the Lithuanian team is in a very good shape at the moment… I don’t know how the game would go, but I’m sure it would have plenty of exciting moments.”
Kalonas is the only player at Bohemians FC whose first language is not English. His command of the language is improving, but occasionally there are communication difficulties. “Sometimes I want to say something and can’t find the right word,” he explains, “but I’m quick with languages and in three more months I’m sure I’ll be fluent.”
He also says his team-mates have been welcoming and he’s enjoyed spending time in their company. And according to Kalonas, Bohemians’ fans have also been especially receptive, sometimes stopping him for a quick chat when they spot him out-and-about in Dublin.
“A few people have come up to say hello. They also cheer me on from the stands. It feels nice and I want to thank all the fans for being supportive.” In fact, with Dublin also home to thousands of his compatriots, Kalonas surely has no end of admirers when he pops out to his local shop.
Asked whether he feels soccer in Ireland plays an inferior role to Gaelic games in terms of popularity, Kalonas says: “You’re the first one to tell me this. I had the impression soccer was the most liked sport here, just like anywhere else in the world. In any case, I am confident that in two years’ time soccer will be at the forefront.”
