The Last Crusade: Lithuania v England, Vilnius, October 17

Friday 13 October 2017

Lithuania v England, Vilnius, October 17

Lithuania v England
FIFA WC 2018
European Qualifying Group F
LFF Stadionas, Vilnius
Lithuania
08 October 2017

On paper this 'dead rubber' looked like a hard sell, especially as it was only two years ago that we last played in Vilnius. On the other hand, I remained mildly optimistic about the trip as I was meeting up with two great lads. Davie and Craig are probably the most unlikely mates in football, Craig is a Mackem and Davie is a Mag, and they both living next door to each other in Sunderland. How mental is that?

The FA had managed to negotiate additional tickets for this game. So, instead of the measly 850 that was on offer last time, we were spoiled with about an allocation of 1757 and the whole of the traditional Home end behind the goal. A total of 2800 EF members applied for tickets, so quite a few were left disappointed. For those lucky enough to get a ticket and for those who managed to prise themselves out of the pubs in time for the National Anthem, I salute you. The supporter experience was further enhanced with the provision of multi coloured disposable ponchos. We love it!

Gareth Southgate gave international debuts to Tottenham's Harry Winks and Leicester's Harry Maguire. He even put out an experimental 3-man central defence. The game was settled in the 27th minute when Dele Alli was fouled as he drove into the box. Harry Kane stepped up and found the corner. Lithuania had several good chances but they lacked a goal scorer of Harry Kane pedigree. England were also wasteful in front of goal with Harry Maguire missing a string of chances, which could have registered him a 'debut hat trick'. Harry Winks also went close in the 2nd Half. One of the key moments in the game was the excellent save from Jack Butland, when he dived full length to the right to save from Michael Keane's misplaced clearance.

Lithuania 0 England 1
Attendance: 5,400

Pano of the LFF Stadium

Scene from behind the goal (South Stand)

Day 1: Preparing for landing

From Riga to Vilnius in an Air Baltic 'Bombardier Q400'

Home for the next couple of days at

5 S. Skapo,Vilnius University.

Appt No 8

Hugh Hefner's bed

Phd required to operate bath

€107 per person a ride (1 Hr), champagne included

Holy Trinity Church and Basillian Gate

The Gates of Dawn - with the

Chapel of Our Lady in the middle

The Gates of Dawn (16thC) is the last remaining

gate of 9 that originally surrounded Vilnius

I eventually track down the lesser spotted

Craig Mac in the "Distilerjia" pub

Day2: Outside the apartment on Sunday Morning

No 12 Pilles Street - time for some site seeing

Steps leading to the 'Three Crosses'

The Three Crosses; one of the most

important symbols of Lithuania

The sight of the old monument which was torn down by the occupying Soviets in 1950 in an attempt to crush nationalism

The original wooden crosses built around 1630 had rotted and collapsed in 1869. Tsarist authorities did not permit it to be rebuilt. The concrete crosses above were erected in 1916 during the German occupation during WW1.

The 'new' monument was erected in 1989

The King of Lithuania

View over Lithuania

Next up, breakfast with Davie and Mac in the
self declared Republic of Uzupis

Graffitti is encouraged in the Republic

The Vilnia river separates the Old Town from Uzupis

Svyturys is a Lithuanian brewery based in Klapedia.

Ekstra is 5.2%, Baltijos is 6% and Blonde Ale is 5.3%

Angel of Uzupis

Uzupis has its own crazy constitution, for example:
Every dog has the right to be a dog.
Everyone has the right to idle.

Free Lions by the Town Hall

Grand Duke Gediminas

Davie and Craig Mac in Cathedral Square

Pre match drinks with Sir Thomas

Lithuanian National Theatre

Still strong after 12 Hours

This time I make it to the game in better shape but it is hammering down. The scoreboard in the undeveloped North End is the only improvement from last time out.