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On Thursday, the Lithuanian national team held their first practice at the S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas, where they will meet the world vice-champion France tomorrow. The newspaper "Kauno diena" writes that the national team coach Algimantas Liubinskas was happy with the training camp in Palanga, but has not yet decided on the starting lineup.
"The starting lineup is slowly becoming clearer, but we still have to think with our colleagues about which players will take to the field on Saturday evening," said the head coach Algimantas Liubinskas to "Kauno diena".
The team's strategist, who arrived from Palanga to Kaunas, was pleased with the work by the sea, where the national team has been training since Monday.
"Five training sessions and three theoretical classes - it was enough to remember the basics. Some footballers are in good shape, while others could be better. In Kaunas, we will gradually reduce the overall physical loads and focus more on tactics," said A. Liubinskas.
The coach stated that only on the eve of the match would it be possible to tell if players like Edgaras Jankauskas, Saulius Mikoliūnas, Marius Žaliūkas, and Andrius Velička would be able to play: "We sent them straight to the doctors when they returned from Scotland. We will see how they feel before the match. These footballers could not train at full strength."
A. Liubinskas said that during the viewing of French game videos, he drew the attention of the coaching staff and players to the fact that the world vice-champions, although arriving in Kaunas with not the strongest lineup, have strong substitutes.
"This is another advantage for our opponents. There is no doubt that our trump cards will be an extraordinary mindset, fighting spirit, and focus," added the Lithuanian national team strategist.
On Friday, the French team will arrive in Kaunas, where they will hold a press conference in the evening, while the Lithuanians will have another practice at the S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium on the eve of the match - starting at 17:30.
