Lithuania finds no cure for motivated Ukrainian futsal team

Lithuania’s national futsal team suffered their first defeat of the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 on home court at Žalgiris Arena, falling 1-4 to the Ukraine national futsal team. The loss leaves Lithuania with only slim hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. Vladimir Derendiajev scored the hosts’ only goal of the match.

After the late disappointment against Czechia in which the Baltic nation was 32 seconds away from win in their debut match, Lithuania national futsal team head coach Dentinho showed trust in continuity, naming the same starting five for the group encounter with Ukraine national futsal team. Ukraine, on the other hand, made two adjustments following their shock opening defeat to Armenia national futsal team.

Lithuania opened the match with confidence, pressing aggressively and briefly unsettling their higher-ranked opponents. That early momentum, however, gradually faded as Ukraine increased the tempo and began to dictate proceedings.

Goalkeeper Ernestas Macenis was soon forced into action and proved pivotal in keeping Lithuania in the contest. His standout moment came in the seventh minute, when – after parrying an initial effort – he somehow clawed away the follow-up from the ground to deny what seemed an inevitable goal.

Ukraine’s breakthrough eventually arrived. Ihor Cherniavskyi was allowed to advance from deep and punished the space with a thunderous rising strike from distance, leaving Macenis with no chance and giving Ukraine a deserved lead.

The pressure continued to mount, with Macenis again called upon to make important saves as Lithuania struggled to regain control. A rare opening appeared when Ukrainian goalkeeper Oleksandr Sukhov briefly lost possession high up the court, but Lithuania were unable to turn the mistake into a goal.

Ukraine’s second goal arrived from a set piece and felt inevitable. After another Macenis stop, Vladyslav Pervieiev was left unmarked and powered a volley into the net, underlining Ukraine’s dominance. Lithuania responded by switching to a power-play system before halftime, introducing Artūr Juchno as an extra outfield player. The move created a chance, but the finish sailed over, and Ukraine went into the break two goals ahead.

Lithuania remained competitive thanks largely to Macenis, whose saves prevented the deficit from growing further. Backed by strong home support, there was still hope that a goal could change the dynamic after the interval.

Those hopes were quickly dented early in the second half. Sukhov initiated a swift move after a save, carrying the ball forward before finding Ihor Korsun, who made it 3-0. Ukraine now played with confidence, pushing forward and forcing Lithuania into deeper defensive work.

Midway through the half, Lithuania suffered another setback when Vladimir Derendiajev received a yellow card, his second of the tournament, ruling him out of the decisive final group match. With time running out, Lithuania once again turned to the power play, but the risk was punished as Abakshyn scored into an unguarded net.

Lithuania did manage a late response in the 36th minute when Derendiajev fired home his second goal of the tournament, but the comeback ended there. The final whistle confirmed Lithuania’s first defeat of the championship and Ukraine’s first victory.

Lithuania will now face group leaders Armenia in their final match, after Armenia’s dramatic 5-4 win over Czechia. Qualification hopes remain alive but slim: Lithuania will need a convincing win on Wednesday and favourable results elsewhere to reach the quarter-finals.

Lithuania vs Ukraine – 1:4 (0:2)
Goals: Derendiajev 36′ | Cherniavskyi 7′, Pervieiev 13′, Korsun 23′, Abakshyn 33′

Lithuania starting lineup: Macenis (G), Baranauskas, Voskunovič, Zagurskas (C), Reimaris
Lithuania bench: Jaskutis (G), Raštutis, Derendiajev, Bučma, Spietinis, Sendžikas, Vasylius, Juchno, Osauskas

Ukraine starting lineup: Sukhov (G), Mykytiuk, Pediash, Abakshyn, Korsun
Ukraine bench: Bielimov (G), Savenko (G), Shved, Zhuk, Cherniavskyi, Shoturma (C), Prykhodko, Pervieiev