Edgaras Jankauskas – about the call to Dambrauskas, the proposal to change the rules, and Kurtinaitis

In UEFA Nations League Division D – the lowest level – we will face Liechtenstein and Azerbaijan, and we will also have a rehearsal with Andorra.

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Edgaras Jankauskas press conference

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“As every time we step onto the pitch, we want to fight for victory,” said E. Jankauskas at a somewhat unusual location, a capital city store, during the press conference.

“We have gathered the best players currently in the best sporting form. It has always been like this,” said E. Jankauskas about the 26 names chosen to represent Lithuania.

– Compared to the last “window,” where we had many losses, 10 players have changed. We will also have a newcomer. I repeat, all those invited are currently the best Lithuanian footballers, in my opinion.”

– Adrianas Lickūnas was called up to the national team for the first time. What caught your eye about him?

– He is a young, very interesting, athletic guy. He debuted in Serie B in Italy. It is a high-level championship in terms of athleticism and tactics. I think it is the right time for guys of this age (20 years old, – ed.) to integrate into men’s football.

– Artūras Dolžnikovas has returned. Is communication with this footballer now smooth?

– Yes, communication is smoother. It is very unfortunate that he did not play in his club in the last two matches, but he trains well and maintains his form. He is eager to return and contribute to the national team.

– Kipras Kažukolovas and others are also returning. Which of these returns is the most important to you? Which player was most missed?

– All players are important. We saw that in the last “window,” where we lacked European experience in difficult moments. Every player is important to us. Especially now, as we will have 4 matches in a very short time. Rotation will be necessary. I think all players will have the opportunity to show themselves and contribute to the national team.

– You will face a new challenge – four matches. Not long ago, there were questions about players’ physical ability to play two matches in a row, and now you will need to play four…

– It won’t be easy, but that’s the regulation. That’s why we have 23 outfield players (and 3 goalkeepers, – ed.). It will be a bit of a puzzle for us coaches on how to rotate and not exhaust the players. We can already manage to play two matches in a row, but now we will have 3–4 in a row, which is significantly harder. We will rotate, think, and arrange to make the best decisions.

– What is your mindset towards the upcoming opponents? Will you perhaps have to play more as the first number?

– Possibly. No one knows what number we will have to play… Our goal is the same regardless of the team we play against – victory, good play, improving our game, dedication, passion. All these components must always be present, regardless of the opponent – whether it’s a World Cup caliber team or one from our shelf.

I know for sure that there will be no easy matches, and no one will give us victories easily here. Probably, this is my main message to everyone – players, spectators. We are definitely facing tough matches, and we need to prepare for the fact that the opponent will likely have the same goals. Only by putting together our skills, efforts, desire, passion, and dedication can we achieve something.

– Four matches – theoretically 12 points, but how many points would be a positive result?

– We know the practice of counting points forward, which often leaves us with a silly image… I wouldn’t want to count. I know that every other match will be the most important for us, and in each, we will fight for victory, trying to show our best game.

The fact is that now we will play against opponents from our shelf. Although the Azerbaijan national team is somewhat higher in the ranking, I think it doesn’t matter much. I believe the teams that will win are those mentally, physically, and tactically better prepared.

– In the tight schedule, you will also have one friendly match – with another opponent from the same shelf, Andorra. What tasks will you address in it?

– Of course, that match is probably less important compared to the others. We will rotate, but by no means will we look the other way. It can be useful for players who might debut or play less in the national team – to show themselves. I think that should be enough for everyone to step onto the pitch with the highest motivation.

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– Vykintas Slivka returned to Lithuania from Japan and immediately became an important part of “Kauno Žalgiris.” Is it easier for you because of that?

– Of course, the experience he has gained over so many years abroad should benefit the team, young players who are around in training and the locker room. Passing on experience, calmness on the pitch, becoming leaders in difficult moments on the pitch – these are the things I want from our veterans, our leaders who have accumulated more international experience, which is necessary when playing in Europe.

– Of the 26 invited players, 10 play in local championships. Are you satisfied with this balance?

– Of course, I would like this scale to move to the other (foreign) side. Probably those 10 Top League players would also like to be in the other column. I wish that for them. I know they can get there.

We have already talked with the federation and Top League representatives that maybe we should do something to get more (Lithuanians) on the pitch (in local championships). At the same time, maybe their chances to go abroad and become visible would grow? Their value would increase? That would be a kind of motivation. If it were mandatory to include more Lithuanians in the Top League.

Of course, not all clubs will agree with that because there are certain interests in this model, but I think we have lived with the current (3 Lithuanians) rule for a long time, and it would be worth at least trying, sacrificing one or two seasons, to change something. Now we are going with the flow, and I wouldn’t say we have gone very far… Either in Europe or in player development, their departures to higher championships. How else will they leave? How else will the doors to the world open for them?

– Are you asking to increase the Lithuanian limit to 4? Or more drastically?

– First of all, I suggest thinking, reflecting, laying out all the positive and negative nuances we will face. Maybe the beginning will be somewhat harder… More attention will be needed for player development, our academy, but at the same time – more players will be needed on the pitch.

This is direct motivation for players that you will be needed. Because we lose many players now because they lose hope. They see that those spots are taken, that it is easier to invite foreigners. We demotivate our players, they disappear from radars, we lose them, and then we wonder why there are so few departures to stronger championships, why fewer Lithuanians play when our clubs compete in Europe?

That would be my friendly request-suggestion – to think about it. Maybe it won’t be the right path because the arguments will show that it doesn’t work – for example, Azerbaijan abandoned the local player rules, and their clubs marched to the Champions League, but how many local players play there? What requirements are set for the national team? I think the priority there is club football; there is probably not much pressure on the national team.

Their chosen path is like that. Ours, I think, should be different. And the pressure, requirements, and expectations for the national team here are higher. At least it seems to me that our main goal should be our local players and some more favorable rules for them. I believe this would be a positive boost for the national team and Lithuanian football.

– Can Valdas Dambrauskas, who coaches the Azerbaijani champions, contribute to scouting the opponents?

– He has already contributed, showing his players, his team’s strength. I am well acquainted with the Azerbaijani championship. Maybe we will also have some personal conversation with Valdas, where he will give some insights. I know he supports our national team very much and probably won’t hide details that could be useful to us.

– Lithuanian coaches are not very popular in the international market. Can V. Dambrauskas’s debut in the UEFA Champions League help other specialists from our country?

– Of course. Valdas’s achievement is phenomenal. I would compare it to a player joining an elite team in an elite championship. It shows that it is possible. That everything is real, that it is not some fairy tale. It is a fact. Valdas did it. Once again, he proved he is an excellent specialist. The team’s strength may not even be important, but when you work in the right direction, have good synergy with the club management, such goals are achieved.

– Do you have any insight about the situation of Rimas Kurtinaitis, who resigned twice?

– I followed little, but I listened to the podcast of Martynas Gecevičius and Tomas Langvinis, where all these painful topics were touched… Well, compared to the football world, I saw that we are really in a better emotional situation, relationship with the fan community, with the management.

We have not had cases where players refused to come, did not want to, or were unhappy because of some relationships among themselves or with coaches. The climate in the football national team is excellent. I think this is the most important thing to achieve positive, good results. Or at least unity with the football community.

I saw that it is not so easy to achieve this if such things happen in our country, in basketball… It also gives some self-confidence. Even if there are no spectacular results (in football) – this year we played 4 matches, winning 2 (losing to a stronger Georgian team and playing unsuccessfully in Estonia) – but the environment around football, synergy with the spectators, and finally – the players’ desire, eagerness to come to the national team, be part of it, give their all and provide good emotions to the fans – all this gives us confidence.

The Lithuanian Football Federation has set the men’s national team the goal of winning the Division D battles – to take first place in the group.

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