ITALIANS TOOK US TOO LIGHTLY

JUBILANT Lithuania coach Algimantas Liubinskas last night accused Italy of underestimating his side and insisted they haven't burnt themselves out before facing Scotland.

The Baltic battlers recorded the best result in their history last night in Naples when they held the world champions to a 1-1 draw.

Lithuania deserved their first point in Group B of the Euro 2008 qualifiers while Italy looked lacklustre in their first competitive match since lifting the world crown in Germany.

Liubinskas (right) claimed new Italian coach Roberto Donadoni took his side lightly and paid the price.

In the end it took Fillipo Inzhagi's strike to cancel out Tomas Danilevicius' shock opener.

Smoking a cigar Liubinskas said: "Maybe the Italy coach thought Lithuania were too weak to play against the world champions but we've proved that was a big mistake. This is our biggest ever result because it was away from home against the world champions.

"We know we're not a better team but my players followed my instructions and gave everyone hope the Italians are beatable.

"Only at the end of the qualifying campaign will we be able to tell who is the best in the group. It's too early now."

Scotland travel to Kaunas on Wednesday night for what is now a vital clash against Liubinskas' shock troops, hoping to follow up yesterday's 6-0 mauling of the Faroe Islands with another victory.

But the Lithuanian gaffer said: "The result against Italy gives us great confidence.

"Although we put a lot of energy into the game I'm sure we'll have some left over for Scotland. You lose energy with every game and I'm sure we'll be ready for Wednesday."

But Hearts midfielder Deividas Cesnauskis admitted his team-mates were KNACKERED after last night's stunning display.

He said: "It's the best result in Lithuania's history but now we're very tired. We put so much in. It was a fantastic performance.

"Despite the result I know it will still be difficult against Scotland."

And Cesnauskis' Tynecastle gaffer Valdas Ivanauskas, who has compiled a spy dossier on Scotland for Lithuania, texted Liubinskas after last night's game to congratulate him on the magnificent draw.

Taken from the Sunday Mail