After defeating the Albanians, the Lithuanian football players avoided the worst scenario

After an eight-year break, the Lithuanian national team, which has returned to the European junior football (6 vs. 6) championships, will play in the playoffs for the first time. In the fourth match of the championship taking place on Friday in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova 3:1 After defeating the Albanians (0:0), the Lithuanians secured at least 3rd place in Group E and will continue their performance in the round of 16 on Saturday.

The Lithuanians, who started the championship with a draw with the world vice-champion Ukraine (3:3) and a victory against France (4:1), lost to the Serbians on Thursday 3:4. The latter defeated the French 4:3 on Friday and moved up to Group E with 6 points, ahead of the Lithuanian footballers, so in the duel with Albania, the further fate of the Lithuanians and the possibility of continuing the fight in the championship were basically decided.

The Lithuanian junior football team, led by Albert Voskunovičius and Justin Zagurskas, started the match energetically, but the Albanian players and goalkeeper Kejd Myrta worked reliably in defense, so the Lithuanians did not manage to score in the first half. However, luck turned away from the Albanians in the second half. 23 minutes The striker of the Lithuanian national team Ignas Raštutis caught the unprepared opponent’s goalkeeper with a long shot and put his team ahead.

True, the Lithuanians also pulled the ball out of the net a minute later. After a long shot and a ricochet, the ball flew near the goal to the former player of the Albanian national team, Erald Leci, who without waiting for anything sent it into the goal defended by Andrias Juzkiv.

The equal result did not satisfy either team, so after the goals the game became a bit more open and aggressive, and at the same time – more favorable to the Lithuanians. 33 minutes J. Zagurskas made an accurate pass from the sideline, and Ignas Maleckas, the striker of the Lithuanian national team, who took an excellent position, scored the second goal with his head.

During the rest of the time, the Albanians tried to take the initiative by replacing the goalkeeper with the sixth player on the pitch, but A. Juzkiv, who played very confidently, prevented the opponents from scoring, and as the seconds of added time were ticking, J. Zagurskas sealed the victory of the Lithuanian national team 3:1 with an effective free kick. Mindaugas Grigalevičius, the head coach of the Lithuanian minor football team, was happy with the mood and character of the players after the victory. “After breakfast, we had a team meeting and an open, honest conversation. I am happy that my words reached the hearts of the players. From the moment you left the hotel, you could feel the right emotion and mood. It was also visible on the field, because we controlled the match from the first minutes, we had many chances, but the opponent’s goalkeeper was simply impregnable. I think he played the best half in this championship, he did not allow us to score and finish the game calmly. I’m glad that in the second half we finally managed to disarm him, and although the tension remained until the last moment, objectively we were better today and we achieved our goal”, said M. Grigalevičius.

With 7 points after 4 matches, the Lithuanian mini-football team secured at least 3rd place in Group E and will play in the round of 16 of the European Mini-Football Championship on Saturday. The final place of Lithuanians and the future opponents in the playoffs will be determined on Friday, after the last match of the group stage. On Friday late in the evening, Ukraine and France, as well as Serbia and Albania, will meet in Group E. The Ukrainians and the Serbs have also already earned their tickets to the playoffs, while the chances of the Albanians and the French are only theoretical.

All matches of the Lithuanian minor football team can be watched live on the DELFI TV platform and on the Delfi TV YouTube channel.

STATISTICS

Lithuania – Albania 3:1 (0:0)

Goals: 23 min. I. Writing, 33 min. I. Maleckas, 40+2 min. J. Zagurskas; 25 E. Leci.

Lithuania: Andrius Juzkiv, Mantas Šumskis; Augustas Trinkūnas, Rokas Masenzovas, Mindaugas Kasparas, Giedrius Mažrimas, Justinas Zagurskas, Matas Radžiukynas, Benas Buzevičius, Albertas Voskunovičius, Ignas Maleckas, Ignas Raštutis. Trainers Mindaugas Grigalevičius and Giedrius Brazaitis.