Promising a tough game

Inspired by its weekend 1-1 draw with Germany, Lithuania's coach Algimantas Liubinskas promised a tough game for Scotland in this week's Euro 2004 qualifier. Lithuania plays host to Scotland on Wednesday at Kaunas. "We have no right to lose although our four main players won't be on the field again," Liubinskas said. "If Lithuania loses this match, it loses the chance for second place." Lithuania trained on Monday without four key players who missed Saturday's qualifier against Germany through injuries: captain Raimondas Zutautas, forward Robertas Poskus, and defenders Andrius Skerla and Aurelijus Skarbalius. Lithuania ranked 101 spots below Germany by FIFA, surprised the three-time world and European champions on its own field in Nuremberg. Lithuania lies third in Group 5 with four points, behind Scotland (7) and Germany (7), but ahead of Iceland (3) and the Faeroe Islands (1). The Baltic state has played one game more than the others.