N. Kesminas: for such footballers, it’s only to gather corpses in the Battle of Žalgiris.

2025-06-11 15:27 © Stop kadras

Sports journalist Nerijus Kesminas evaluated the performance of the Lithuanian men's football team (0:5) in a friendly match against Denmark.

"In the first ten minutes, the Danes simply walked around the Odense stadium. Then they switched to a somewhat faster Scandinavian walking mode, and the Lithuanians missed their chance - the first goal came in.

As it later turned out, the first of five. Goals flowed not only freely but also quickly.

And after the red card to Edgaras Utkus, it became clear that the Lithuanian football team faced what is called a zugzwang in chess - a situation where every future move only worsens the position.

You can't say the Danes were going all out. They were simply playing their football for their enjoyment. And since the resistance in the opponents’ territory was essentially just stationary yellow training cones, the match could not end with less shame for Lithuania.

Evaluation? At this point, it would probably be very appropriate to rephrase a joke broadcasted nearly three decades ago on the "Radio Show”: for such footballers, it is only to pick up bodies in the Battle of Žalgiris. Harsh? Yes. Can it be said more politely? No.

Why? Because last weekend I promised to demand it.

I saw such a picture. If I added pastel, image-softening strokes, it would be a gross deviation from the concept chosen itself. Logically thinking, one of the goals of the match with the Danes should have been the opportunity to outline guidelines before the confrontations with the Netherlands and Poland.

Coach Edgaras Jankauskas and his staff probably hoped to pick up information about what works when playing against a strong opponent and where solutions need to be sought to patch up gaps.

What information can be fished out in this pile of manure? I don't know; if you have thoughts, share them. I have no preconceived notions about this team. Everyone knows the opposite. But now it’s truly time to state: enough living in the comfort zone. As you know, that life can come back at any time. But now it depends only on yourselves," – wrote N. Kesminas on social media.