The Utena arena hosted a significant farewell event for three prominent figures in Lithuanian handball: Aidenas Malašinskas, Giedrius Morkūnas, and Benas Petreikis. The match gathered considerable excitement among fans as it marked the last appearance in the national team for these athletes, who have had a substantial impact on Lithuanian handball. However, the celebration was bittersweet as the Lithuanian team faced a formidable Serbian squad that had been favored to win.

In this decisive match, despite the spirited support from the crowd, Lithuania was unable to secure a victory against Serbia, concluding the game with a score of 33-24. This defeat followed a prior loss where Serbia had triumphed decisively with a score of 42-25, earning them a spot in the crucial final qualification stage for the World Championship against Hungary. The Lithuanian players fought valiantly, but the Serbian team's quality was evident throughout both encounters, underlining the challenges faced by the Lithuanian side in international competition.

The match highlighted individual performances, with Mantas Urvikis leading the scoring for Lithuania with six goals. Other contributors included Malašinskas, Antanavičius, Dumčius, and Lapinskas, who also found the back of the net multiple times. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Giedrius Morkūnas made notable saves, stopping six of 23 shots on goal. This match not only marked the end of an era for these veteran players but also served as a reminder of the competitive nature of international handball, where the team must regroup and refine their strategies for future challenges.