© EuroFootball.com
Today, on a late Saturday evening at 22:30 Lithuanian time, the national teams of Spain and Lithuania will face each other in the 7th group stage match of the 2006 World Cup at the Valencia "Mestalla" stadium, in front of 55 thousand spectators, including around 500 Lithuanians. The match will be broadcast live on TV3.
Victory is necessary for the Spaniards
As the qualifying games reach their midpoint, this match is important for both teams, but especially for the Spaniards, who have not been convincing so far and have played more draws than victories. An additional point for the Lithuanian team would also be helpful, but since they are facing the favorites away from home, it is more a matter of pride - crucial competition lies ahead.
The last meeting between these two teams in Spain in 1993 (also in a World Cup qualifier) ended in a 5-0 victory for Spain. The Lithuanian team, led by A. Liubinskas then, lost 2-0. However, after twelve years, returning to the "Žalgiris" stadium in the capital, the Lithuanians surprised their opponents and earned a well-deserved 0-0 draw.
Bookmakers - pessimistic mood
It is no secret that many football fans in Lithuania and abroad visit bookmakers before important matches, where they bet considerable sums of money on one of the teams winning. Approaching this evening's match against the Spanish team, we looked into how the bookmakers evaluate the chances of the national team.
Lithuania - land of pessimists or realists?
The Lithuanians, not known for their particularly optimistic outlook, view the prospects of their national team especially poorly.
All of our country's betting companies offer similar odds - 1 to 15 or 20. In this case, by betting 100 litas on a Lithuanian victory, you could win a much larger amount (15 or 20 times) if successful. It is worth mentioning that such high odds are usually used when competing against teams of very different levels.
Foreigners also have no doubt about the Spaniards
Major foreign companies also consider the Lithuanians to be clear outsiders, but evaluate the visitors' chances more realistically than in Lithuania.
One of the world's biggest betting companies, "William Hill," evaluates the Lithuanian team's chances of victory at odds of 1 to 12. The odds for a draw or a home team victory are similar to those in Lithuania.
The most optimistic outlook towards our team is held by "Bet365." By betting 100 litas with this company, you would increase your winnings by "only" 11 times. Draws are evaluated at a ratio of 1 to 5, while the odds for a Spanish victory, as everywhere, barely pass the minimum threshold - 1 to 1.2.
The Spanish team will be at full capacity
Spanish coach L. Aragones had almost no problems before the match, only replacing the injured reserve striker R. Tamudo with D. Villa, and the injured C. Puyol seems to have recovered and should be able to play. Compared to last year's match in Vilnius, there will be quite a few changes in the Spanish squad - A. Del Horno will play in defense, Joaquin and Vicente will appear on the flanks of the defensive line, and Raul's partner in attack will be F. Torres.
The Lithuanian national team - significantly weakened
Lithuanian national team coach A. Liubinskas will have to make changes to the lineup, unlike his colleague from Spain, not out of choice - due to disqualifications, the team is missing M. Stankevicius and D. Semberas, D. Vencevicius is injured, captain A. Skarbalius cannot play, and there are doubts about E. Jankauskas and D. Cesnauskas' readiness.
In goal, Z. Karcemarskas hopes to maintain his position, G. Paulauskas (or D. Zutautas) will join R. Dziaukstas, A. Skerla, and T. Zvirgzdauskas in defense, O. Buitkus and I. Morinas could replace the Cesnauskas brothers in the starting lineup on the flanks of the defensive line, N. Barasa will assist A. Kucys in midfield, and T. Danilevicius should play up front with R. Poskus.
Predicted starting lineups
Spain (4-4-2): Casillas; Salgado, Marchena, Puyol, Del Horno; Joaquin, Xavi, Albelda, Vicente; Torres, Raul
Lithuania (4-4-2): Karcemarskas; Dziaukstas, Skerla, Zvirgzdauskas, Paulauskas; Buitkus, Kucys, Barasa, Morinas; Danilevicius, Poskus
Referee - Stefano Farina (Italy)
