© EuroFootball.com
After an hour and a half flight on Sunday, the Lithuanian national football team reached Warsaw, from where they traveled to Belchatow by bus. It rained all day here. In the evening, the team held their first training session. Goalkeepers worked individually, while the other football players, divided into two teams, played against each other.
At the same time, the Polish football players were training on the central field, while the Lithuanians were on the auxiliary field. Belchatow residents waited for hours outside the hotel where both teams were staying. More spectators attended the team's training sessions in Poland than would attend a game in Lithuania.
On Monday, the team trained on the central field in Belchatow. It rained heavily an hour before the session. Unfortunately, the rain brought bad luck to the Lithuanian team - "Kaunas" goalkeeper Mindaugas Malinauskas suffered a serious leg injury at the beginning of training and had to be taken to the hospital.
After examination at the hospital, doctors diagnosed M. Malinauskas with a meniscus injury. He returned from the hospital and, although in pain, managed to walk. "Vetra" goalkeeper Vaidas Žutautas was urgently called to replace him in the team.
Coach Algimantas Liubinskas said, "It is very unfortunate for Mindaugas. He has been in good form lately. We are eagerly waiting for Žutautas, who will fly to Poland via Prague. From now on, I am sure that we should always take three goalkeepers on trips."
On Sunday afternoon, Vaidas Žutautas joined the Lithuanian team. He flew from Vilnius to Warsaw via Prague, arriving at 11 o'clock. After lunch, the goalkeeper went to rest. The team had a light training session at 11.
Fans and journalists who did not leave the hotel were chasing after the Polish national team players, especially goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek. Television channels loudly announced the upcoming match, stating that the Lithuanian team would be "crushed." According to A. Liubinskas, such an attitude from the Poles will work in our favor. Underestimating the opponent is a big minus.
Remember, the friendly match between the national teams in Poland will start at 9:00 PM Lithuanian time and will be broadcasted live on Tango TV, while the match summary will be shown on Eurosport channel at midnight. The youth teams' match will take place at 6:00 PM at the Kaunas S. Darius and S. Girėnas Sports Center stadium.
