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Benjaminas ZelkeviciusLithuanian football player, coach
Date of Birth: 06.02.1944
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
Early Life and Football Career
Beniaminas Zelkevičius was born in Lithuania and began playing football in 1958. His first team was "Banga" in Kaunas. In 1963, he joined "Žalgiris" in Vilnius, where he spent most of his playing career. In 1968, he briefly played for "Shakhtar" in Donetsk before returning to "Žalgiris" in 1969. He retired as a player in 1973, having played 331 matches and scored 50 goals for "Žalgiris" in the Soviet top league.
Coaching Career at Žalgiris
Zelkevičius' coaching career began in 1977 when he became head coach of "Žalgiris." Under his leadership, the team gained promotion to the First League, where they performed well, finishing in sixth place. In 1982, "Žalgiris" achieved promotion to the Soviet Top League under Zelkevičius' guidance.
However, a conflict arose between Zelkevičius and the team's players in early 1983 due to the distribution of material benefits after the successful 1982 season. This resulted in Zelkevičius being replaced by Algimantas Liubinskas as head coach in May 1983.
Despite the conflict, players who had instigated it later petitioned for Zelkevičius' return in 1985. The team needed a strong coach, and the man who had guided them to success in the early 1980s seemed the perfect fit. Zelkevičius resumed his coaching role at "Žalgiris" in April 1985.
He led the team to a bronze medal finish in the 1987 Soviet Championship and victory in the 1987 World University Games, where "Žalgiris" represented the Soviet Union. Zelkevičius held the position of head coach of "Žalgiris" until October 1991.
Coaching Career Abroad
After leaving "Žalgiris," Zelkevičius became coach of Austria Wien from November 1991 to September 1992. He then returned to "Žalgiris" and served as both head coach and president from 1992 to 1996.
Zelkevičius also had stints as head coach of the Lithuanian national football team in 1990-1991, 1995-1997, and 2000-2003. He coached Russian clubs "KAMAZ-Chally" and "Shinnik" in 1997 and 1999, respectively.
In 2004-2007, Zelkevičius coached "Metalurgs" in Liepaja, Latvia, leading the team to silver medals twice and winning the club's first ever championship title in 2005. He also guided the team to victory in the Latvian Cup in 2006.
In 2009, Zelkevičius was briefly head coach of Vladivostok-based club "Luch-Energia" in Russia's First Division.
Personal Life
Beniaminas Zelkevičius is married and has two children, a daughter who owns a beauty salon in Vilnius and a son who is a businessman. He also has a grandson named Lukas.
