Former Israeli Player Stanislav Bilenky Scores Hat-Trick as Zalgiris Vilnius Advances in Conference League

In a surprising turnaround during the Conference League qualifiers, Lithuanian club Zalgiris Vilnius defeated Dinamo Tbilisi 7-2 on July 30, 2026, after losing the first leg 3-0. The standout performer was Stanislav Bilenky, a former player for Israeli clubs Netanya and Tiberias, who scored a hat-trick and provided an assist. Bilenky had spent three and a half seasons in Israel, joining Netanya in January 2023, and was initially brought to Israel by Almog Cohen from Dinamo Tbilisi.

The Lithuanian media expressed astonishment at Zalgiris's comeback, with Sportas calling the 7-2 victory "unbelievable" and highlighting Bilenky's decisive role in the goals. Local outlets like Klapidia described him as "performing miracles," especially noting the team's dominant second half where they scored six goals. Made In Vilnius also praised Bilenky's composure after a missed penalty by teammate Nikola Petkovicius, emphasizing the team's overall strong performance.

Zalgiris Vilnius will face Hajduk Split in the next round, a team that recently lost to Pafos in the Europa League qualifiers. This victory marks a significant achievement for Bilenky and his former Israeli clubs, showcasing his impact on European football beyond Israel.