Lithuania hoping for milestone campaign
Friday, July 25, 2014
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Winger Arvydas Novikovas thinks "Lithuania would become a football country" if they come through UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying to reach their first major international tournament.
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Lithuania head into UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying with one very clear goal in mind – to reach their first major international tournament.
A change in format means 23 teams will join hosts France at the finals, ensuring countries such as Lithuania have a far greater chance of making the cut. Drawn in Group E alongside England, Estonia, San Marino, Slovenia and Switzerland, they are upbeat about their prospects. Indeed, winger Arvydas Novikovas feels the upcoming campaign could be a turning point for his nation.
"If we go through to the European Championship, of course it would be a great celebration for us, our fans and every Lithuanian," said the 23-year-old FC Erzgebirge Aue player. "It would change football in Lithuania. The popularity of football would significantly increase. Young people would start seeing football in a different light. Lithuania would become a football country."
Click on the video above to hear more from Novikovas and international team-mate Tadas Kijanskas.
