Dutch end on a high

Lithuania were unable to get the victory they needed to have any change of reaching the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals and indeed finished bottom of second qualifying round Group 1 as Ruud Gullit's Netherlands side secured victory.

Lithuania hope
As it turned out, Spain's 3-0 victory against Hungary meant that a win would have been in vain for Lithuania, but the Baltic side did not know that at kick-off, as after two goalless games knew that three points, combined with a draw in the other match, could have taken them to Switzerland.

Dutch chances
The Netherlands were already out after defeats by Hungary and Spain but were determined to end on a high. Captain Hedwigs Maduro shot just over early on, and Ron Vlaar then hit the post. Dutch strikers Arjan Wisse, Ryan Babel and Tom Vincken were giving Lithuania real problems and they were grateful to get to the break level.

Babel goal
Linas Pilibaitis went close for Lithuania six minutes into the second half as his volley was bravely saved by Job Bulters. Maduro hit the post soon after and on 66 minutes the Netherlands claimed their first goal of the mini-tournament as Tom Vincken's cross was turned in by Babel. Lithuania had scored in all of their first qualifying round matches, but remained without a goal in the next round as the last chance of the game fell to Wisse, who shot on to the crossbar.

'Our exit is disappointing'
Gullit now departs his role to take over at Feyenoord. He said: "Our exit is disappointing but I will take the experience to Feyenoord. We played better than against Spain and I hope the boys now realise what you need to do at this level."