Professional athletes playing in different sports arenas but from the same city – basketball player Tauras Jogėla and footballer Martynas Dapkus – became the first participants in the Gubernija challenge. In this unique experiment, the men representing Šiauliai’s sports teams revealed that they have much more in common than they ever imagined. Amid bursts of laughter and friendly teasing, shared values emerged: a passion for sport, respect for team spirit, and love for the city of Šiauliai.

Having grown up together as classmates in Tauragė and now pursuing different sports, the two athletes first tried each other’s sporting worlds as part of the Gubernija challenge. The results surprised everyone – Tauras won the football match, while Martynas came out on top in basketball. “So who’s the real baller now?” Tauras Jogėla laughed in disbelief.

Later, the athletes took part in a rapid-fire quiz where they had to quickly choose between options: sea or lake, cold beet soup (pink soup) or gazpacho, dance or metal music, playing a game without water or wearing shoes that are too small, books or chess. It turned out their opinions aligned on almost everything, except one – Tauras would rather camp in a camper van, while Martynas preferred a tent. “You’re so spoiled,” Martynas joked when he heard his friend’s choice.

As the Gubernija experiment came to an end, both athletes admitted they had far more in common than they initially thought – they both chose traditional Lithuanian pink soup over gazpacho, both preferred relaxing by a lake rather than the sea. Ultimately, they agreed that if they had to choose, they’d rather break an arm than a leg – since without the ability to run, neither could contribute much on the football field or basketball court.

Differences can unite

This video is part of the campaign “We’re a lot alike” by Gubernija, Lithuania’s oldest brewery, which is celebrating its 360th anniversary this year. The aim of the project is to bring together representatives from different walks of life and show that differences don’t have to be dividing walls – they can become connecting bridges.

It’s no coincidence that athletes were the first to participate in the Gubernija challenge. The historic brewery, operating in the same location in Šiauliai for 360 years and deeply embedded in the city’s life, actively supports local professional and amateur sports – men’s and women’s football and basketball teams, a rugby club, and a children’s football academy. Deeply rooted in the heritage of the Šiauliai region, Gubernija understands that sport is a universal language that connects people of different generations, social backgrounds, and interests. In the stadium stands or on the field, social barriers disappear and are replaced by shared goals and passion.

The Gubernija challenge video series will also feature representatives of different generations, musicians from different genres, beer and wine sommeliers, a Šiauliai native and a Šiauliai enthusiast from another city. They’ll face unusual tasks and questions that will reveal how much more they have in common than what sets them apart.