Ivanauskas takes U21 helm

Valdas Ivanauskas has been officially named as the new man in charge of the Lithuanian Under-21 national team, who were without a head coach since parting with Šenderis Giršovicius in August 2008.

Respected player
Ivanauskas, whose playing career included spells at FK Žalgiris Vilnius, PFC CSKA Moskva, FC Lokomotiv Moskva, FK Austria Wien, Hamburger SV and FC Salzburg, took his first steps on the coaching ladder six years ago as part of the Lithuanian full national team set-up.

Scottish success
The former FK Vetra Vilnius, FBK Kaunas, FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Heart of Midlothian FC boss, who led the Edinburgh outfit to second place in the league and victory in the Scottish Cup in 2005/06, will combine the role with his position at Lithuanian second-division side FK Banga after extending his contract with the club last week.

Qualifying challenge
Lithuania U21 will meet England, Greece, Portugal and F.Y.R Macedonia in Group 9 of qualifying for the finals of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, to be held in Denmark.