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After the UEFA Europa League match between "Ekranas" and "Hapoel," which the Lithuanian team won 1-0, during a press conference, Panevezys team coach Valdas Urbonas emphasized that the victory cost a lot of energy, and the team proved that they are mature for high-level international competitions.
"It was an important and tough victory, probably not what we expected in the UEFA Europa League. The men gave their best. They can only be praised for their dedication on the field," said the specialist.
There were difficult moments: when it was tough - we endured, when we needed to defend - we defended, when we attacked - we created opportunities and scored in the front. Several moments were accompanied by factors of success, everything came together into one beautiful, important victory, showing that the time will come when we continue the international competition season in the fall. It is a big thing for the team to participate here.
"The first half seemed to start normally, but later the opponents started dictating their conditions. As I mentioned, it required patience, perseverance, showing character, defending well. I am happy that the first half ended this way, perhaps the opponents are not in their best form yet. In the second half, maybe emotions influenced, we created chances, we attacked. The support of the fans was felt, we scored a goal and achieved victory."
And continued: "The team once again proved that they are mature - victory is not a coincidence. The match in Barysaw against BATE may have been disappointing in terms of results. The team itself is mature for that level, which is here, in the Europa League. But in football, everything happens - sometimes you have to lose. The intensity of the match takes its toll, and our bench is not such that it would allow us to represent properly in both fronts," said the coach, recalling the defeat in the national championship against Vilnius "Zalgiris."
"We will go to Israel with additional players who could not play today - Ignu Dedura and Marko Andelkovic. A.Fofana also did not play in his typical position today - playing in the midfield guard is not something he is used to. However, the situation required it. In Israel, we will have more players. The match there will start 0-0. We will fight, it will be very difficult, there will be great heat, opponents will have great support. But I think the result of the first match is proof to them that we are worthy of something."
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv FC "Hapoel" head coach Dror Kashtan reluctantly answered journalists' questions and was disappointed by the match result and his team's missed opportunities.
"We played poorly, did not show our usual football. We had many opportunities, but we did not score and were punished. We knew that "Ekranas" plays well after set pieces. The opponents scored, but the ball did not go into the net in our attacks. But that's how it goes in football. We will wait for the match in Tel Aviv and hope to play differently with the support of our home fans," he said.
"Playing in response matches at home is a completely different thing, compared to playing here. Come to Israel and you will see. I cannot compare "Ekranas" to the previous opponent, "Vaduz," just like I can't with other teams. "Ekranas" is a three-time Lithuanian champion, I respect this team," said the "Hapoel" strategist.
Images from the match:
