Futsal national team rookies: "We need to prove that we were worthy of the invitation

2024-04-12 11:00 © lff.lt

Already this Saturday in Jonava, the four national teams futsal tournament between Lithuanian representatives will see two new faces - Deividas Karpavičius and Edas Romanovas.

The latter may experience a dream debut against one of the world's top ten national teams. Let's remind that the tournament will feature multiple-time world champions Brazil, high-quality French teams in recent years, and our close neighbors Ukrainian side.

You can buy tickets for all tournament matches by clicking here.

"The invitation was completely unexpected, because, after all, it was my first season in the A League. Of course, the invitation to the national team provided additional motivation. The reaction to the invitation was great, I had to read the invitation several times to make sure it was true," said Edas Romanovas, who represented "SPC-Radviliškis" last season.

"The invitation, of course, was very pleasant and very unexpected. Probably, the fantastic journey taken with "Brooklyn" this year yielded results and I was noticed. When I found out, I was delighted, I immediately started negotiating with my job (D. Karpavičius works in the State Border Guard Service), to take short leave," added another future rookie Deividas Karpavičius.

For both footballers, the past futsal season unfolded differently - D. Karpavičius with "Brooklyn" won bronze medals for the first time in history, Edas Romanovas finished his performance in the quarterfinals with "Radviliškis." Both debutantes agree that the upcoming tournament battles will not at all resemble their performances in the A League.

"The difference, of course, will be significant, because the highest level national teams are coming. It will be interesting to see such national teams up close and try to compete with them. I hope this invitation will not be the last. Seriously speaking, I want to work hard, give it my all, and prove that I deserved the invitation.

In this tournament, we will start preparations for the upcoming European Championship, see how strong we can resist the mentioned national teams. I hope we will perform honorably and maybe even surprise.

I am very happy that I can be a part of it, so I enjoy every moment spent there, I try to learn as much as possible from former players and, of course, coaches. Certainly, the upcoming European Championship is tempting, because it would be the fulfillment of dreams," concluded D. Karpavičius.

"My expectations are to prove to the coach that I am worthy of being here and that this invitation will not be the last. I want to help the team as much as possible and score goals. From the team I expect willpower, fighting spirit, and dedication.

Such an invitation for me is a boost of motivation and self-confidence, which, looking into the future, will certainly be beneficial. The European Championship is every player's dream, such an opportunity rarely comes along, so the desire to be a part of it is very strong," said Edas Romanovas.

Altogether, eight representatives of A League clubs received invitations to the upcoming tournament. As usual, the majority represented "Kauno Žalgiris". Edas Romanovas and Deividas Karpavičius are the only representatives of their clubs.

Tournament schedule:

April 13:
15:00 Lithuania - Ukraine;
18:30 Brazil - France;

April 15:
17:00 Ukraine - Brazil;
19:30 France - Lithuania;

April 16:
17:00 Ukraine - France;
19:30 Lithuania - Brazil;