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Almost 7500 spectators rose to their feet triumphing at the Kaunas S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium. The defenders and goalkeeper of the Dutch national team were helpless. Although the first match on Saturday in the European U-19 Championship ended in defeat for the Lithuanian football team, defender Gratas Sirgėdas' equalizing goal will be remembered for a long time.
Those more familiar with Lithuania's young talents had high hopes for Gratas Sirgėdas, a graduate of the National Football Academy, even before the championship. The humble 18-year-old from Panevėžys, who turned into a magician with the ball on the field, justified those hopes. In the duel with the Netherlands, he became a secret weapon for our side.
In the 83rd minute, G. Sirgėdas received the ball near the midfield, sprinted past the opponent's attempts to take the ball, fooled another Dutch defender, and coolly – as if he were a legend of his dream club, London's "Arsenal," Thierry Henry – placed the ball into the very corner of the goal.
The amazing defender's goal did not bring any points to the Lithuanian team – the Netherlands snatched victory with a score of 3:2 in the last seconds of the game.
On Tuesday, Lithuanians face a new, even tougher challenge – a match against the European champions Spain. Tickets and season passes for the championship are available through "Bilietai.lt".
