The Lithuanian national team are already in preparation mode for this weekend’s Baltic Cup semi-final against Latvia, with one of the biggest talking points being the return of veteran winger Arvydas Novikovas.
Lithuania will host Latvia in Kaunas on Saturday, while Estonia face the Faroe Islands in the other semi-final. The winners will meet in Tuesday’s final, with the losing sides playing for third place.
Among several returning and newly called-up players in Edgaras Jankauskas’ squad, the return of Novikovas has attracted particular attention. The 34-year-old has made 96 appearances for Lithuania and is back with the national team after an extended absence.
Speaking after training, Novikovas in a interview to Lithuanian Football Federation said it felt natural to return to the squad and insisted he still believes he can contribute at international level.
“It feels great to be back. Honestly, it doesn’t even feel like I was away. The atmosphere is good, the players welcomed me well,” Novikovas said. “I still feel that I can give a lot to the national team and to my club. The most important thing is to believe in yourself.”
The experienced winger also reflected on how his approach to football has changed over the years. “When I was younger, if things weren’t going well on the pitch, I could become negative. My good friends Egidijus Vaitkūnas and Edvinas Girdvainis once told me that from the outside it looked bad when I reacted that way. I am grateful to them because it helped me change my attitude. Since then I have looked at football differently.”
Looking ahead to the Baltic Cup, Novikovas expects a difficult encounter against Latvia but believes Lithuania’s unity can make the difference. “We have a very tough game ahead of us. Latvia are preparing well too, but we will give everything. Our strength is that we are one fist, one team. And of course our supporters will be there. They will be our twelfth player.”
Also arriving in camp in high spirits was defender Artemijus Tutyškinas, who recently enjoyed the most successful season of his career with Slovenian champions Celje.
The 21-year-old helped Celje win the Slovenian title and reach the latter stages of the UEFA Conference League, while becoming an increasingly important figure for the club. “It has been an incredible feeling. It was the first championship of my career and definitely the best season I have had so far,” Tutyškinas said. “We went far in the Conference League, I played a lot of matches and gained a lot of confidence.”
Despite his young age, Tutyškinas feels this stage of his career is crucial for his development. “I am still young, but I feel now is the time when I need to play as much as possible. International matches give you confidence because you are facing very good players.”
The defender also highlighted Lithuania’s determination to end their long wait for Baltic Cup success. “The mood in the camp is very good. The long run without winning the Baltic Cup has not been easy, but we are highly motivated and want to bring the trophy back to Lithuania.”
Lithuania host Latvia on Saturday at Darius and Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas, where a crowd of more than 10,000 spectators is expected for the opening Baltic Cup semi-final.
Source: https://www.lff.lt/i-rinktine-grizes-a-novikovas-geras-jausmas-grizti-atrodo-net-ir-nebuvau-dinges/
