A documentary series following Lithuania’s men’s national team during last year’s World Cup qualifying campaign was premiered in Kaunas on Wednesday evening.
The project, titled “Vardan tos! Lietuvos futbolo rinktinė”, was filmed throughout the entire qualification cycle, with cameras embedded around the squad. The footage includes scenes from the atmosphere at Lithuania’s home match in Kaunas against the Netherlands, as well as striker Armandas Kučys’ injury suffered in a game with Finland in March last year.
A short version of the film was shown first to members of Lithuania’s football community, with the federation saying a four-episode series will be released to supporters in the near future.
Lithuanian Football Federation president Edgaras Stankevičius said the premiere carried extra emotion given the access granted by players, coaches and staff.
“We know how much heart the filming team put in, and how much the national team – the coaches, the players and the backroom staff – had to give,” Stankevičius said. “Day after day the cameras were with them. We wanted to show in a different way what goes on around the team and what life looks like when you are driven by a goal.
“Many judge the national team only by results. Yes, it wasn’t the most successful year, but what the men showed on the pitch and off it will be conveyed in this series – the emotions, real commitment and the desire to represent their country.”
Head coach Edgaras Jankauskas added that the close-up look at the squad was new for some players, but credited the production team with earning trust.
“It’s interesting for everyone to see how a team lives and how the inner organism works when there are no wins and you have to deal more with negative emotions,” Jankauskas said. “It’s no secret athletes don’t like cameras, but the director, Rimvydas Čekavičius, managed to get close to the team so the players could show their inner side – weaknesses and sensitivity. If that happens, it’s a big job done.”
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Source: https://www.lff.lt/kaune-pristatyta-lietuvos-rinktines-dokumentika-vardan-tos-lietuvos-futbolo-rinktine/
