The 2019 LFF I Lyga was the 30th season of the I Lyga, the second tier association football league of Lithuania. The season began on 22 March 2019 and finished on 27 October 2019.
Licensing process The Lithuanian Football Federation initially granted applications for 2019 LFF I Lyga licenses: FK Banga Gargždai, FK Nevėžis, FC Pakruojis, FC Džiugas, Žalgiris B, Stumbras B, Riteriai B (Trakai B).
After the appeal, on 28 February 2019 Lithuanian Football Federation granted licenses to FK Vilnius (Baltijos Futbolo Akademija), FK Minija Kretinga, DFK Dainava, Vilniaus Vytis, FK Atmosfera (2012), FC Hegelmann Litauen.
The final decision on the number of teams in 2019 LFF I Lyga was made by the Lithuanian Football Federation executive committee meeting on 15 March 2019. Exceptions were applied to FK Jonava (financial criteria were not met), FC Kupiškis (sporting criteria were not met) and FA Šiauliai (legal criteria were not met) and the teams were allowed to start in the 2019 LFF I Lyga championship, pending criteria to be met by June. The 16 team championship started on 22 March 2019.
The applications for the 2019 LFF I Lyga licenses were also received from FK Sveikata Kybartai, FM Ateitis and FK NFA but licenses were not granted. FK Utenis Utena shareholders voted to withdraw from participation in 2019 LFF I Lyga, and the club will participate in 2019 LFF II Lyga. FK Koralas Klaipėda was dissolved in 2018.
Team Town Stadium Capacity NotesFK Jonava Jonava Jonavos miesto stadionas 1,400 Relegated from A Lyga. Granted participation by exceptionFK Banga Gargždai Gargždų miesto stadionas 3,250 DFK Dainava Alytus Alytaus miesto stadionas 4,000 FC Džiugas Telšiai Telšių miesto centrinis stadionas 3,000 FK Nevėžis Kėdainiai Kėdainių miesto centrinis stadionas 3,000 FC Pakruojis Pakruojis Pakruojo miesto stadionas 2,000 Riteriai B Vilnius LFF stadionas 5,400 Renamed from Trakai BStumbras B Kaunas NFA stadionas 1,000 FA Šiauliai Šiauliai Savivaldybės stadionas 9,125 Granted participation by exceptionVilniaus Vytis Vilnius LFF stadionas 5,400 FK Vilnius (2019) Vilnius Fabijoniškių stadionas 340 Renamed from Baltijos Futbolo AkademijaŽalgiris B Vilnius LFF stadionas 5,400 FC Kupiškis Kupiškis Kupiškio miesto stadionas 1,000 Relegated from I Lyga, but granted participation by exceptionFK Atmosfera (2012) Mažeikiai Mažeikių miesto stadionas 2,500 Promoted from II LygaFC Hegelmann Litauen Kaunas NFA stadionas 1,000 Promoted from II LygaFK Minija (2017) Kretinga Kretingos miesto stadionas 1,000 Promoted from II Lyga FK Utenis Utena Utena Withdrew from participation in I Lyga FK NFA Kaunas Dissolved as part of NFA restructuring FK Koralas Klaipėda Klaipėda Dissolved in 2018
Participants
Final standings After FC Stumbras ran into financial difficulties in June the Lithuania Football Federation made a decision to withdraw their license from A lyga, and Stumbras B from I lyga.
FC Džiugas Telšiai earned promotion to A lyga, subject to meeting licensing criteria. FK Banga Gargždai earned a play-off with A lyga 7th placed FK Palanga.
Top scorers
# Player Team Goals 1–2. José Luis Balanta DFK Dainava 19 1–2. Evaldas Kugys Nevėžis Kėdainiai 19 3. Mantas Makutunovičius Vilniaus Vytis 17
References