countdown to South Africa: match one versus Lithuania

Romania’s World Cup hopes begin today at 8:00 pm CET against the tough Lithuanian squad in Cluj. With only thirteen spots available for the World Cup, competition will be fierce and the Tricolorii are within the brutally tough Group 7. While it includes minnows Faroe Islands, on the opposite end is France, a very talented Serbian squad, upstart Austria who could be a problem with Karel Brückner in-charge and todays opponent Lithuania. While Romania are strong favourites to come out with three points, Victor Piţurcă knows he cannot take the visitors lightly.

Lithuanian manager Jose Couceiro leads his club in Cluj after a very impressive victory over Moldova and showing steady signs of improvement. However they have a significant problem with injuries and will be without Adrius Velicka (Rangers), Andrius Jokšas, Andrius Skerla and Tomas Žvirgždauskas.

Lithuania recent form
20/08/2008 Lithuania 3:0 (1:0) Moldova (Friendly)
27/05/2008 Czech Republic 2:0 (1:0) Lithuania (Friendly)
31/05/2008 Estonia 0:1 (0:0) Lithuania (Friendly)
01/06/2008 Latvia 2:1 (0:0) Lithuania (Friendly)
04/06/2008 Lithuania 1:4 (1:1) Russia (Friendly)

Victor Piţurcă will be without Cristian Chivu, Adrian Mutu, Razvan Rat, Florentin Petre and George Ogararu. Romania’s home support is a fortress though and recent encounters have proven even the biggest nations hopes end on Romanian soil

Romania recent form at home
31/05/2008 Romania 4:0 (1:0) Montenegro (Friendly)
26/03/2008 Romania 3:0 (1:0) Russia (Friendly)
21/11/2007 Romania 6:1 (1:0) Albania (Continental Qualifier)
13/10/2007 Romania 1:0 (0:0) Netherlands (Continental Qualifier)
22/08/2007 Romania 2:0 (0:0) Turkey (Friendly)

If there was a problem with the Euro campaign it was offensive creativity and flourish. Given injuries, scoring opportunities and finishing will fall in the hands of Catania’s Nicolae Dică, Marius Niculae of Dinamo Bucureşti, Daniel Niculae and one of the most promising goal scoring talents in Romania, Florin Costea of Universitatea Craiova. Victor Piţurcă will have the team ready to score and silence the visitors hopes early.

I will report on the match once it concludes.