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Today (Tuesday) the Lithuanian national football team departed for a training camp in Germany, where they plan to prepare for the 2005 World Cup qualifying matches against the team from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Before the departure, a press conference was held at the airport, attended by the national team's head coach Algimantas Liubinskas. The coach briefly talked about the information gathered about our team members and the opponent's preparation and capabilities. In essence, A. Liubinskas was satisfied with the team composition.
The biggest concern for the national team's strategist is the health of defender Nerijus Barasa, who has been dealing with allergies for a few days, preventing him from playing. But Nerijus is determined to join the team in Germany and alongside his teammates defend the Lithuanian colors in Bosnia.
However, another Lithuanian team member, Orestas Buitkus, who recently moved to Kazan's "Rubin" for personal reasons, refused to help the Lithuanian team. When asked about Ignas Dedura, the national team coach stated that currently there are better players in the defense department, and the "Spartak" defender would only be invited to the team if any player gets injured or if his performance in the camp disappoints the coach.
During the camp, a friendly match is planned against the second Bundesliga team Energie Cottbus, where the team leaders plan to test all 24 footballers who flew to Germany. In two halves, new players will be tested, which will help the coaching staff to model the tactical scheme for the upcoming official battle in Bosnia.
"I have thoughts about which players will most likely take the field in the matches against the Bosnians, but I wouldn't want to announce anything specific yet, as there is still a test match ahead that will help me and my assistants make a final decision," said Liubinskas. "I believe in the players who have arrived for the national team and I expect a positive result from our collective work - a draw or, best of all, a victory. We are not even considering the possibility of defeat, but in football, unfortunately, anything can happen."
