Lithuania dampen Polish spirits

Lithuania 2-0 Poland
First-half goals from Saulius Mikoliunas and Edgaras Česnauskis condemned Poland to their first defeat in seven games.

Unbeaten since losing to Australia in September, the UEFA EURO 2012 co-hosts fell behind after 18 minutes to Mikoliunas and Česnauskis then doubled Lithuania's lead with a shot from outside the area as the half-hour mark approached. Poland return to action against Greece on Tuesday, when Lithuania host Spain in qualifying Group I.

A quiet start preceded the opening goal, which emanated from a right-wing cross. Arkadiusz Głowacki failed to clear adequately and the ball fell to Mikoliunas, who found the back of the net clinically. It could all have been different, however, had Robert Lewandowski been more precise with an effort which Žydrūnas Karčemarskas was equal to 60 seconds earlier.

The home team extended their advantage in the 29th minute and again it came from Poland's failure to clear their lines, the ball this time reaching the unmarked Česnauskis, who scored from the edge of the area. Poland poured forward after the break, with Kamil Grosicki twice to the fore for Franciszek Smuda's side.

Having set up Lewandowski, who shot wide, the Sivasspor forward struck an effort which went through the hands of Ernestas Šetkus but was cleared before it crossed the goal line. Proof that it was not going to be Poland's night arrived ten minutes from time, when Grosicki hit the post from close range after Šetkus had parried a free-kick from Roger Guerreiro. Their defeat could have been yet more resounding had Mindaugas Panka not struck a post.