Liubinskas calls on untried trio

Lithuania coach Algimantas Liubinskas has named three debutants in his 21-man squad for the forthcoming friendly match against Romania in Kaunas on 30 April.

Guscinas included
Forward Dmitrijus Guscinas from German third division side KSV Holstein Kiel earns his first call-up after a positive report from Liubinskas's assistant Valdas Ivanauskas, who watched him in action in Germany recently.

Polish duo
Midfield player Raimondas Vileniskis of Wisla Plock and defender Nerijus Radzius of Zaglebie Liubin are the new faces from the Polish league. "My aim is to have about 30 names on my short list of candidates for the national team," Liubinskas said. "In this case the absence of one or another player will not be so painful for the team." Vice-captain Saulius Mikalajunas will miss the game because of illness.

Confidence high
Following their away draw with Germany and home victory over Scotland, Lithuania are currently second in their UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying group. Liubinskas hopes to use the game against Romania to build up confidence further before the next Group 5 match against Iceland in Kaunas on 11 June.

Lithuania squad
Stauce, Karcemarskas, Kurskis, Zvirgzdauskas, Dedura, Dziaukstas, Semberas, Skerla, Radzius, Zutautas, Razanauskas, Papeckys, Petrenko, Buitkus, Morinas, Maciulevicius, Vileniskis, Jankauskas, Poskus, Guscinas, Cesnauskis, Graziunas, Danilevicius.