Lithuania lifted by Mikoliunas strike

A late goal from substitute Saulius Mikoliunas lifted Lithuania above opponents Georgia and into fifth place in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B.

Decisive strike
Both sides had chances to take all three points in Kaunas, although as the game entered the final 15 minutes with the scoresheet still blank it looked as if both would have to settle for just one. Mikoliunas, who had come on two minutes past the hour, had other ideas, however, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Georgi Lomaia to give the home side three welcome points ahead of the visit of world champions Italy on Wednesday, when Georgia travel to section leaders France.

Fine first half
The visitors were the first to threaten, David Kvirkvelia shooting straight at Žydrunas Karčemarskas in the ninth minute, although at the other end Lomaia had to be alert to deal with attempts from Ricardas Beniušis and Mantas Savenas. Arunas Klimavičius then dragged a shot just wide before Marius Stankevicius forced Lomaia to tip his effort around the post as Lithuania continued to push forward. Still, Georgia might have taken the lead against the run of play as half-time approached had Levan Kobiashvili's 25-metre shot had more power.

Georgia rally
Clear chances proved harder to come by as the second period unfolded, Kakha Kaladze firing one free-kick narrowly wide, but when the decisive moment came it was at the other end as Mikoluinas placed a shot across Lomaia to give Lithuania the lead with 12 minutes left. Georgia threw everything forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, Karčemarskas parrying a close-range effort from replacement Otar Martsvaladze and when Kaladze failed to find the target with another effort from distance, the home side's win was secure.