LITHUANIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: France prepare for their Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania

World Cup runners-up France will be forced to experiment when they visit Lithuania in a Euro 2008 Group B qualifier on Saturday (March 24). Coach Raymond Domenech, whose team have worried their fans since losing to Italy on penalties in last year's World Cup final, are without midfielder and captain Patrick Vieira as well as forwards Thierry Henry, Franck Ribery and Louis Saha through injuries for the game in Kaunas. France have lost two of their last four matches, which has not happened to them since defeats by Senegal and Denmark at the 2002 World Cup finals. They were beaten 1-0 by Argentina in a friendly at the Stade de France last month after slumping to a 1-0 defeat in Scotland in a Euro 2008 qualifier last October. In Vieira's absence, the skipper's armband should fall to Barcelona centre back Lilian Thuram, making his return in central defence alongside Arsenal's William Gallas. Thuram and Gallas both missed the Argentina game through injuries. With Domenech facing a selection headache up front, Olympique Lyon's 19-year old striker Karim Benzema and Bolton's Nicolas Anelka could both feature in the starting line-up. France and Scotland are level on nine points in Group B. Italy are next on seven points and Ukraine have six but with a game in hand. Lithuania lie fifth on four points, also with a game in hand. Lithuania coach Algimantas Liubinskas said his team were not in such a good shape as in September, when they managed a 1-1 draw with world champions Italy. Liubinskas is likely to have to make do without Hearts striker Edgaras Jankauskas, who is hampered by a sore groin. However, the Lithuania coach said his players would not concentrate on defending and would use every opportunity to counter-attack. Probable teams: Lithuania: Zydrunas Karcemarskas; Marius Stankevicius, Arunas Klimavicius, Rolandas Dziaukstas, Tomas Zvirgzdauskas; Mindaugas Kalonas, Igoris Morinas, Deividas Semberas, Andrius Gedgaudas; Tomas Danilevicius, Andrius Velicka. France: Gregory Coupet; Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal; Sylvain Wiltord, Claude Makelele, Jeremy Toulalan, Florent Malouda; Nicolas Anelka, Karim Benzema. Referee: Howard Webb (England)

ITN Source | March 25, 2007

Tags:. .champions. .worried. .patrick. .injuries. .soccer