Interestingly, before the last day of the tournament there were two real scenarios – in case of Estonia’s victory over Latvia, our team would have needed to win by a large margin, while other first match results would mean that any victory would be enough for the Lithuanian girls.
The first match ended in a draw, so the Lithuanian girls entered the field knowing that a one-goal win would bring them the trophy. However, the hosts confidently demonstrated who was the stronger team.
“We really didn’t change anything, we were very focused, planned that we would need to score goals. We didn’t want to underestimate the opponents and relax, the team was very concentrated. At the beginning there was some tension, but later it worked out, we were properly prepared for the match and everything went well,” – after the last tournament match, the national team coach Domas Paulauskas evaluated them.
He emphasized that the first goal, scored after almost half of the first half, relieved the tension.
“The first goal really freed our hands, gave us confidence, all the nervousness disappeared, and after the second goal the girls felt like they were on wings. I understand the Faroe Islands team, fatigue perhaps affected them, while we were already flying,” – said the strategist.
Interestingly, from the 17th minute until the end of the first half, the Lithuanian girls sent as many as nine goals into the opponents’ net, and the coach said he had not seen that at the national team level.
“At the national team level – no [I haven’t seen], but in my personal career there have definitely been various matches where that can happen. But today I am really happy for the girls, they believed in themselves, also the great support drives them forward,” – the coach appreciated the fans’ contribution.
After 24 years playing again in Kaunas: Indrė Sorokaitė returned to Lithuania and revealed broad ambitions
Dambrauskas, who caught the Champions League dream: “I don’t drink alcohol, but I know how to celebrate without it”
“Kauno Žalgiris” opponent introduced another notable newcomer: price – 25 million euros
He also evaluated the skill of the girls he coaches, which allowed them to determine the outcome of the matches.
“Most of our girls have good skills and can decide the outcomes of those matches. We managed to do that against Latvia, managed to save ourselves against Estonia, that skill pays off. We are awaiting the UEFA Development tournament, where the level of opponents will be higher, we will see how we look there.
But I really believed in this team, we played at home, I believed in that support. We prepared for it, in July we had camp after camp, in clubs they reached really good form and we came well prepared and full of strength. That was visible, and because of that we have the result,” – said D. Paulauskas.
However, at the end of the comment, the coach noted that this is just the very beginning in the girls’ careers and they should not stop working and striving, as only this way can one reach heights in football.
“I could say that U15 is just the very beginning, they now have motivation to grow, but growing up and becoming a player is difficult, it is a big and long road. I don’t want to promise anyone that someone will be a star or that a great future awaits, because the girls themselves will need to find motivation and work themselves.
Yes, they now have a good foundation, have motivation, but they will still need to work, work a lot to be able to think about the national team level,” – the coach shared the message.
