© EuroFootball.com
Today, a press conference organized by the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) took place in the premises of the "Žalgiris" stadium, attended by LFF President Liutauras Varanavičius and national team head coach Algimantas Liubinskas. They discussed the upcoming national team selection for the 2008 European Championship match against the Faroe Islands national team and the activities of the LFF.
"We hide nothing. The conditions we have are the conditions we show," began the press conference L. Varanavičius, apologizing for the conference room's unsuitable space where the press conference took place. "Our footballers are preparing in these conditions, let everyone see."
At the beginning of the press conference, LFF President mentioned that there is a 50% chance that friendly matches with the Kuwait national team will be available for direct viewing in Lithuania: "We have agreed on the broadcasting rights, now we just need to reach an agreement with a television channel about the financial details."
Algimantas Liubinskas started by listing the team's losses: Roland Džiaukštas and Povilas Lukšys will not play with the Faroe Islands. There are doubts about Edgar Jankauskas' ability to enter the field, but by Saturday, Tomas Danilevičius should be fully recovered.
"Roland Džiaukštas could play in friendly matches against Kuwait, but club commitments will not allow him to do so," said the coach.
"Povilas Lukšys, it seems, hid the injury from the club for three days, so he just started treatment now," said A. Liubinskas. "It is possible that he will not play with the Faroe Islands."
"The mood in the team is good, cheerful, the work rate is normal," explained the head coach. "We don't feel like big favorites, but everyone understands that we must win."
"After reviewing the opponents' game videos, I can say that their tactics have changed. If before they mainly defended, like San Marino, now they try to attack regardless of the result, they fight from the beginning to the end of the match," the coach talked about the opponents.
The coach also said that there will likely be several changes in the starting lineup compared to the match against Scotland.
A. Liubinskas also expressed joy that Lithuania will play against Kuwait: "We wanted friendly matches. Previous matches with Albania or Poland allowed our youth to show their skills, which they have improved."
The coach was pleased that in November, the Lithuanian national team will play friendly matches in Malta with the local national team, and he hoped that the team's manager would be able to arrange three friendly matches with Saudi Arabia, which participated in the World Cup this year, in December.
It was revealed that Ričardas Beniušis will also travel to the Faroe Islands: "He is tall, wears size fifty shoes, so if the result is not satisfying, he can be very useful - he wins many matches due to high balls and can pass them to a teammate."
Speaking sarcastically of criticism concerning Aivaras Laurišas: "He was on the preliminary lists, but... Well, we are not satisfied with his intensity of play. I didn't stand with a stopwatch, but it seems like he runs once and then you don't see him for five minutes. If such intensity is enough in the A League, at a higher level - not anymore."
"Similarly with Andrius Velička. He is not a national team player," said the coach.
Asked about Tomas Radzinevičius, A. Liubinskas did not hide his irritation with the false stories that appeared in the media: "He is injured. I talked to him on the phone, and he explained to me that he ran onto the field injured because the team leaders asked him to 'come onto the field just to walk around' since other attackers were either injured or disqualified. He wants to play in the national team, he apologized a lot, but said, 'I don't want to go on the field just to walk around and disappoint you.'"
"He is the kind of player who would hit the road if needed for the national team," L. Varanavičius seconded the coach.
Commenting on the situation of Edgaras Česnauskis, the coach spoke ironically: "Yes. His disqualification ends with these matches (five matches - ed. note). The doors of the national team are open to him. He just needs to put aside his foolish ambitions. Now his place in the national team could be taken by Deividas Česnauskis - won't he be mad at his brother now? I heard that Edgar just bursts with the desire to play (ironic comments on E. Česnauskis' categorical statements about playing for the national team - ed. note)."
A. Liubinskas did not hesitate to show his sharp and ironic remarks regarding the National Football Coaches Association (NFKA). Asked about team leader Aidas Preikšaitis playing postponed "A League" matches on Tuesday, when the national team camp is taking place, the coach joked: "I appreciate it wonderfully, what else. It's not the first time such situations happen. We're waiting for Aidas to get injured, then it will be very good."
The match against the Faroe Islands national team will take place on Saturday at 16:55 Lithuanian time. It will be possible to watch it live on LNK TV.
The national team will depart for the Faroe Islands on Thursday at 7:00 am from Vilnius Airport.
