Lithuania national football team

Lithuania
Nickname(s)Rinktine (National team)
AssociationLithuanian Football Federation
(Lietuvos futbolo federacija – LFF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachValdas Ivanauskas
CaptainErnestas Šetkus
Most capsSaulius Mikoliūnas (96)
Top scorerTomas Danilevičius (19)
Home stadiumLFF Stadium
FIFA codeLTU
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 136 1 (19 November 2021)[1]
Highest37 (October 2008)
Lowest148 (November 2017)
First international
 Lithuania 0–5 Estonia 
(Kaunas, Lithuania; 24 June 1923)
Biggest win
 Lithuania 7–0 Estonia 
(Riga, Latvia; 20 May 1995)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 10–0 Lithuania 
(Paris, France; 27 May 1924)
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Lithuania women's national football team.

The Lithuania national football team (Lithuanian: Lietuvos nacionalinė futbolo rinktinė) represents Lithuania in international football and is controlled by the Lithuanian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Lithuania. They played their first match in 1923. In 1940, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union; the country regained its independence in 1990 and played their first match thereafter against Georgia on 27 May of that year.

Although Lithuania has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, nor the UEFA European Championship, they have successfully participated in the regional Baltic Cup tournament, which takes place every two years between Lithuania and their Baltic rivals, Latvia and Estonia. Lithuania has won the Baltic Cup championship 11 times, only Latvia has won it more. Despite this Lithuania holds the record for winning the most consecutive Baltic Cup championships, four titles in a row from 1996 to 2000.

Since 2012 the national team has played their home matches at the LFF Stadium in Vilnius.

History

On 24 June 1923, Lithuania played their first ever game, at the Lietuvos Fizinio Lavinimosi Sąjunga Stadionas, resulting in a 5–0 loss against Estonia. In 1924, Lithuania entered the 1924 Olympics in France, losing 9–0 against Switzerland on 25 May 1924. Two days later, Lithuania suffered a 10–0 loss to Egypt, a record defeat to date. During the early years of the Lithuanian national team, Lithuania regularly played Baltic neighbours Estonia and Latvia, with Lithuania's first win coming in a 2–1 away win against Estonia on 24 August 1924 in Tallinn. In 1930, Lithuania won the third edition of the Baltic Cup in Kaunas.[2] On 13 October 1940, Lithuania played their final game for just shy of 50 years, a 4–3 win against Latvia, following the first Soviet annexation of the country.[3]

Lithuania's first game following the declaration of independence in 1990 was a 2–2 draw against Georgia in Tbilisi on 27 May 1990.[4] In the 1990s, Lithuania established a respectable presence in the World Cup and European Championship qualifiers: third place in their group in both Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. In the Euro 2004 qualifiers, they were once again contenders for qualification and managed an away draw with Germany and a home win over Scotland; however, a 1–0 defeat to Scotland in the final game ended their hopes. Although finishing fifth in their 2006 World Cup qualifying group, Lithuania were nevertheless competitive.

Lithuania drew with world champions Italy 1–1 in Naples in a Euro 2008 qualifying game on 2 September 2006, in the first competitive game that Italy played since the World Cup final.

On 6 September 2008, Lithuania defeated Romania 3–0 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier. The victory was regarded by many as "a historic win."[5] It was followed by another successful 2–0 performance against Austria in Marijampolė on 10 September 2008.

Recent results and upcoming fixtures
Main article: Lithuania national football team results (2020–present)
DateVenueOpponentResultGoalscorer(s)CaptainCompetition
2021
24 MarchPristina, Kosovo Kosovo0–4Fedor ČernychInternational friendly
28 MarchSt. Gallen, Switzerland  Switzerland0–1Saulius MikoliūnasWorld Cup 2022 qualifiers
31 MarchVilnius, Lithuania Italy0–2Saulius MikoliūnasWorld Cup 2022 qualifiers
1 JuneVilnius, Lithuania Estonia0–1Saulius Mikoliūnas2021 Baltic Cup
4 JuneRiga, Latvia Latvia1–3Paulius GolubickasSaulius Mikoliūnas2021 Baltic Cup
8 JuneLeganés, Spain Spain0–4Saulius MikoliūnasInternational friendly
2 SeptemberVilnius, Lithuania Northern Ireland1–4Rolandas BaravykasErnestas ŠetkusWorld Cup 2022 qualifiers
5 SeptemberSofia, Bulgaria Bulgaria0–1Ernestas ŠetkusWorld Cup 2022 qualifiers
8 SeptemberReggio Emilia, Italy Italy0–5Ernestas ŠetkusWorld Cup 2022 qualifiers
9 OctoberVilnius, Lithuania Bulgaria3–1Justas Lasickas, Fedor Černych x2Ernestas ŠetkusWorld Cup 2022 qualifiers
12 OctoberVilnius, Lithuania  Switzerland0–4World Cup 2022 qualifiers
12 NovemberBelfast, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland0–1World Cup 2022 qualifiers
15 NovemberVilnius, Lithuania Kuwait1–1Justas LasickasInternational friendly
16 NovemberMinsk, Belarus Belaruscancelled[6]International friendly

Coaching staff
Position Name
Manager Valdas Ivanauskas
Assistant coach David Bergner
Assistant coach Tomas Ražanauskas
Fitness coach Thomas Klimmeck
Goalkeeping coach Audrius Ramonas
Analyst Rokas Pranaitis

Managers history
Name Nat From To Games Won Drawn Lost GF GA Win%
Benjaminas Zelkevičius 19901991 3 1 2 0 7 4 033.33
Algimantas Liubinskas 19921994 29 7 8 14 29 48 024.14
Benjaminas Zelkevičius 19951997 29 12 6 11 45 41 041.38
Kęstutis Latoža 19981999 18 5 4 9 15 24 027.78
Robertas Tautkus (caretaker) 19991999 1 0 0 1 0 3 000.00
Stasys Stankus 20002000 8 2 0 6 8 18 025.00
Julius Kvedaras (caretaker) 20002000 1 0 0 1 1 6 000.00
Benjaminas Zelkevičius 20012003 19 4 3 12 20 41 021.05
Algimantas Liubinskas 20032008 50 18 6 26 54 65 036.00
José Couceiro 20082009 15 6 3 6 17 15 040.00
Raimondas Žutautas 20102011 16 4 3 9 11 22 025.00
Csaba László 20122013 16 2 4 10 12 28 012.50
Igoris Pankratjevas 20132015 21 5 5 11 14 31 023.81
Edgaras Jankauskas 20162018 26 3 5 18 14 50 011.54
Valdas Urbonas 20192021 24 5 4 15 17 49 020.83
Valdas Ivanauskas 2021 3 0 0 3 1 10 000.00

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the World Cup 2022 qualifier against Northern Ireland and a friendly game against Kuwait respectively on 12 and 15 November 2021.
All caps and goals as of 12 October 2021 after the match against Switzerland.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
16 1GK Ernestas Šetkus (Captain) (1985-05-25) 25 May 1985 35 0 Hapoel Tel Aviv
12 1GK Edvinas Gertmonas (1996-06-01) 1 June 1996 1 0 Žalgiris
1 1GK Titas Krapikas (1999-01-03) 3 January 1999 0 0 Ternana
1GK Ignas Plūkas (1999-12-08) 8 December 1999 0 0 Hegelmann Litauen
8 2DF Egidijus Vaitkūnas (1988-08-08) 8 August 1988 58 0 Kauno Žalgiris
2DF Edvinas Girdvainis (1993-01-19) 19 January 1993 35 0 Kauno Žalgiris
3 2DF Vytas Gašpuitis (1994-03-04) 4 March 1994 9 0 Dunfermline Athletic
2DF Connor Blazys (1998-11-19) 19 November 1998 5 4 Garswood United FC
3 2DF Vytas Gašpuitis (1994-03-04) 4 March 1994 9 0 Dunfermline Athletic
6 2DF Benas Šatkus (2001-04-01) 1 April 2001 6 0 Nürnberg II
13 2DF Dominykas Barauskas (1997-04-18) 18 April 1997 3 0 Riteriai
11 3MF Arvydas Novikovas (1990-12-18) 18 December 1990 75 12 BB Erzurumspor
9 3MF Donatas Kazlauskas (1994-03-31) 31 March 1994 29 2 Academica Clinceni
18 3MF Ovidijus Verbickas (1993-07-04) 4 July 1993 29 1 Žalgiris
17 3MF Justas Lasickas (1997-10-06) 6 October 1997 28 1 Voždovac
20 3MF Domantas Šimkus (1996-02-10) 10 February 1996 22 0 Sabail
4 3MF Martynas Dapkus (1993-02-16) 16 February 1993 15 0 Kauno Žalgiris
19 3MF Linas Mėgelaitis (1998-09-09) 9 September 1998 7 0 Viterbese
10 3MF Ernestas Veliulis (1992-08-22) 22 August 1992 4 0 Panevėžys
3MF Giedrius Matulevičius (1997-03-05) 5 March 1997 3 0 Sūduva
3MF Vilius Armanavičius (1995-05-08) 8 May 1995 1 0 Hegelmann Litauen
4FW Fedor Černych (1991-05-21) 21 May 1991 69 11 Jagiellonia Białystok
4FW Karolis Laukžemis (1992-03-11) 11 March 1992 25 2 Kaisar
10 4FW Edgaras Dubickas (1998-07-08) 8 July 1998 4 0 Piacenza
4FW Armandas Kučys (2003-02-27) 27 February 2003 0 0 Kalmar FF

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Tomas Švedkauskas (1994-06-22) 22 June 1994 14 0 Dainava v.  Spain, 8 June 2021
GK Deividas Mikelionis (1995-05-08) 8 May 1995 0 0 Kauno Žalgiris v.  Spain, 8 June 2021
GK Lukas Paukštė (1998-09-25) 25 September 1998 0 0 Riteriai v.  Estonia, 1 June 2021 PRE
GK Ignas Driomovas (1997-04-27) 27 April 1997 0 0 Banga Gargždai v.  Italy, 31 March 2021
GK Marius Adamonis (1997-05-13) 13 May 1997 0 0 Lazio v.  Italy, 31 March 2021
DF Saulius Mikoliūnas INJ (1984-05-02) 2 May 1984 96 5 Žalgiris v.   Switzerland,12 October 2021
DF Linas Klimavičius (1989-04-10) 10 April 1989 30 0 Dainava v.   Switzerland,12 October 2021
DF Rolandas Baravykas (1995-08-23) 23 August 1995 24 2 UTA Arad v.   Switzerland,12 October 2021
MF Vykintas Slivka INJ (1995-04-29) 29 April 1995 48 2 Apollon Smyrnis v.  Italy, 7 September 2021
DF Vaidas Slavickas (1986-02-26) 26 February 1986 22 0 Sūduva v.  Italy, 7 September 2021
DF Artemijus Tutyškinas (2003-08-08) 8 August 2003 1 0 Crotone v.  Italy,8 September 2021
DF Markas Beneta (1993-07-08) 8 July 1993 13 0 Sūduva v.  Spain, 8 June 2021
DF Sigitas Olberkis (1997-04-19) 19 April 1997 0 0 Legion Tallinn v.  Spain, 8 June 2021
DF Rimvydas Sadauskas (1996-07-21) 21 July 1996 0 0 Kauno Žalgiris v.  Italy, 31 March 2021
DF Markus Palionis RET (1987-05-12) 12 May 1987 14 0 Jahn Regensburg v.  Kosovo, 24 March 2021 PRE
MF Modestas Vorobjovas (1995-12-30) 30 December 1995 23 1 UTA Arad v.  Italy,8 September 2021
MF Edgaras Utkus INJ (2000-06-22) 22 June 2000 5 0 Cercle Brugge v.  Italy, 7 September 2021
MF Eligijus Jankauskas (1998-06-22) 22 June 1998 2 0 Panevėžys v.  Italy,8 September 2021
MF Karolis Uzėla (2000-03-11) 11 March 2000 2 0 Žalgiris v.  Italy,8 September 2021
MF Deimantas Petravičius (1995-09-02) 2 September 1995 23 1 Águilas v.  Spain, 8 June 2021
MF Paulius Golubickas (1999-08-19) 19 August 1999 12 1 HNK Gorica v.  Spain, 8 June 2021
MF Tautvydas Eliošius (1991-11-03) 3 November 1991 9 0 Panevėžys v.  Spain, 8 June 2021
MF Karolis Šilkaitis (1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 0 0 Kauno Žalgiris v.  Spain, 8 June 2021
MF Gratas Sirgėdas INJ (1994-12-17) 17 December 1994 13 5 Kauno Žalgiris v.  Estonia, 1 June 2021 PRE
MF Daniel Romanovskij (1996-06-19) 19 June 1996 6 0 Banga Gargždai v.  Italy, 31 March 2021
FW Nerijus Valskis (1987-08-04) 4 August 1987 25 1 Jamshedpur v.  Italy, 31 March 2021
Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad.
  • WD = The player withdrew from the current squad due to non-injury issue.
  • INJ = It is not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • RET = Retired from the national team.

Player records
As of 14 November 2021[7]
Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Did not enter Declined participation
1934 Did not qualify 1 0 0 1 0 2
1938 2 0 0 2 3 9
1950 Part of the  Soviet Union Part of the  Soviet Union
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994 Did not qualify 12 2 3 7 8 21
1998 10 5 2 3 11 8
2002 8 0 2 6 3 20
2006 10 2 4 4 8 9
2010 10 4 0 6 10 11
2014 10 3 2 5 9 11
2018 10 1 3 6 7 20
2022 8 1 0 7 4 19
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/11 81 18 16 47 63 130

UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1960 Part of the  Soviet Union Part of the  Soviet Union
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996 Did not qualify 10 5 1 4 13 12
2000 10 3 2 5 8 16
2004 8 3 1 4 7 11
2008 12 5 1 6 11 13
2012 8 1 2 5 4 13
2016 10 3 1 6 7 18
2020 8 0 1 7 5 25
2024 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/7 66 20 9 37 55 108

UEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League record
Season** Division Group Pld W D* L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 C 4 600631639th
2020–21 C 4 62225741st
2022–23 C Future event
Total 12228823 39th
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Group stage played home and away. Flag shown represents host nation for the finals stage.

Baltic Cup
Main article: Baltic Cup (football)

Honours

Baltic Cup

Head-to-head record
Main article: Lithuanian national football team head to head

As of 31 March 2021.

See also

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "MATCHES → international football results of Lithuania". eufootball.info. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  3. "International football MATCH: 13.10.1940 Lithuania v Latvia*". eufootball.info. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  4. "International football MATCH: 27.05.1990 Georgia v Lithuania". eufootball.info. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  5. FIFA World Cup uefa.com
  6. "Lithuania canceled football friendlies in Belarus". News read online. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  7. Mamrud, Roberto. "Lithuania - Record International Players". RSSSF.
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