Moldova vs Lithuania – News and Probable Lineups

Moldova and Lithuania will kick off their preparations for the Nations League when they meet at the former’s Stadionul Zimbru on Thursday in a friendly match.

Neither team qualified for the World Cup, so while they will not be represented in this summer’s tournament, both will take part in the Nations League during the upcoming international break in September.

Match overview

The hosts ended up at the bottom of Group I during the European World Cup qualifiers, finishing their eight-game campaign with just one point and scoring a total of five goals.

Moldova’s last defeat occurred in a group match against Israel in November 2025, and their 4-1 loss resulted in them conceding a total of 37 goals throughout the campaign.

Head coach Lilian Popescu will be aiming to achieve his side’s first win in 12 matches, though another defeat would mark their 10th in that timeframe.

Recent home performances have been disappointing, with the team losing their last four games at Stadionul Zimbru, although they had won five of their preceding six matches there.

The last friendly match for the Tricolorii took place in October 2025, where they lost 2-1 to Romania. They did manage to secure a 1-0 victory against San Marino in their most recent home friendly in September 2024.

Lithuania also found themselves at the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group, where they managed to acquire three points, all from draws.

The Rinktine recorded three victories between March 2024 and early June of that year, but they have since struggled without a win, enduring a sequence of 13 defeats paired with four draws.

Edgaras Jankauskas’s outfit has conceded at least two goals in 10 of those 17 games and failed to score on eight occasions.

In their history against Moldova, the visitors have played four times, drawing 1-1 in their last two encounters, although these matches have not occurred since 2013.

Lithuania’s away form has been dismal, with the team not winning in their last eight matches across all competitions, suffering defeat in seven of those fixtures.

Team News

Moldova’s goalkeeper Cristian Avram is expected to be positioned behind a three-man defence consisting of Vladislav Baboglo, Mihail Gherasimencov, and Artur Craciun.

Stefan Bodisteanu replaced Vladimir Fratea during the match against Israel and is anticipated to take a starting place in the midfield this time.

Virgiliu Postolachi is likely to be deployed in a forward position alongside Vitalie Damascan, particularly given that Ion Nicolaesc is absent from the squad.

Lithuania’s defensive trio will likely include Vilius Armalas, Edgaras Utkus, and Artemijus Tutyskinas, supported by a double pivot of Modestas Vorobjovas and Gvidas Gineitis.

Gratas Sirgedas and Tomas Kalinauskas are in contention to feature in the wide areas flanking striker Fedor Cernych.

Moldova probable starting XI:

Abraham; Craciun, Baboglo, Gerasimencov; Forov, Bodisteanu, Caimacov, Perciun, Reabciuk; Postolachi, Damascene

Lithuania probable starting XI:

Gertmon; Armal, Utkus, Tutyskin; Sirvys, Vorobjovs, Gineitis, Lasickas; Sirgedas, Kalinauskas; Cernych