Lithuania head coach Edgaras Jankauskas has called for composure and “freedom” from his players ahead of Tuesday’s Baltic Cup final against Estonia in Tallinn.
The match kicks off at 19:00, with Lithuania seeking to lift the trophy for the first time in 16 years. Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, Jankauskas said the priority was to avoid players becoming tense in a one-off final.
“First of all, I want us to win, but I really don’t want our footballers to burn out because of any big words from me,” he said. “They need calm. We have everything a good team needs – now we just need that freedom that comes when you don’t feel tension. Sometimes that tension can tie players up, especially when you’re playing for trophies.”
Jankauskas added that Lithuania’s recent penalty shootout against Latvia had shown his side can cope with pressure. He also indicated there would be changes to his line-up, while expecting Estonia to freshen their team as well.
“I think it would be healthy to bring in some freshness, and I believe our opponent will do the same,” he said. “It wouldn’t be smart to change everything radically, but there will definitely be a few changes.”
Assessing Estonia’s strengths, Jankauskas highlighted midfielders Rocco Robert Shein and Kevor Palumets as key figures in controlling tempo, and described the hosts as an athletic side with a “Scandinavian-style” profile.
He said Lithuania’s long wait for the Baltic Cup remained a major driver, but warned against letting the desire to end that run turn into an obsession.
“That terrible statistic is our biggest motivation,” he said. “Sixteen years without winning the cup – formally being the weakest in the region – that should sting any footballer and supporter. But I don’t want that huge desire to turn into something like an obsession, or for us to burn more than we need to.”
Jankauskas also compared Estonia with Latvia, saying the hosts are typically “tough and aggressive” and stronger in possession. He stressed Lithuania must press and compete in duels, recalling a final two years ago when his side saw too little of the ball.
Source: https://www.lff.lt/e-jankauskas-pasitinka-kova-del-taures-noretusi-kad-futbolininkai-butu-laisvi/
