Lithuania host double friendly against Latvia

Both teams squared off in Kupiskis (LTU) over the weekend with one win for each side

With their moment to compete in the Euro beach Soccer League quickly approaching, the national teams of Lithuania and Latvia geared up their fine-tuning schedule with a double leg friendly this weekend in Kupiskis (Lithuania).

One victory and one defeat fell on each side, with the visitors upsetting the hosts on Saturday (3-5) only to pay back for that loss right the following day.   

A 2-0 run in the opening period helped Latvia prevail over the hosts in the first of the two friendly games. Lithuania tried to react, but the Latvians were firmly in command, managing to reply any attempt to begin a comeback by the hosts. The second goal by Smolkovas, late in the third period, could only pull one more back for Lithuania, but the distance was already too wide. 

Things had a better colour for the hosts on Sunday. Lithuania used the same formula used by their opponents one day before, getting a 2-0 advantage during the first period to get on the driver’s seat. But, in this occasion, Latvia managed to equalize the score, beginning a stroke exchange that had the Lithuanians stepping ahead only to see their opponents balance things back just minutes later. 

The game went onto extra time, but in the end, Smolkovas, the hosts top scorer of the weekend, made the difference for his team gagging the winning 5-4 just seconds before the final whistle.