In the first meeting held in Slovakia on Thursday, the Lithuanian national handball team faced a tough match against Ukraine, ultimately losing by just one goal, 30:29. This marked the fourth consecutive loss for the Lithuanian team, leaving them without any points in their group and with only slim theoretical chances of qualifying for the European Championship. The standings show Sweden leading the group with four wins, while both Serbia and Ukraine occupy the second and third spots with four points each.

The Lithuanian team, looking to turn their fortunes around in this critical matchup, started strong with goalkeeper Evita Žilionytė and key players including Aušra Arciševskaja, Rita Rakauskienė, and Gabija Pilikauskaitė on the court. They initially took the lead at 2:1, energizing the home crowd at the Prienai Arena with strong support. However, despite their promising start, the team was unable to maintain their advantage, ultimately succumbing to the Ukrainian side as the game progressed, which reflects the ongoing challenges they face in this European Championship qualifying phase.

With this defeat, the Lithuanian handball team has fallen further behind in their efforts to qualify for the European Championship. To advance, teams must secure a top position in their groups or be among the best third-placed teams. The loss signifies not only the struggle of the Lithuanian squad but also puts pressure on their upcoming matches, making it imperative for them to perform better to keep their dreams of qualification alive.