Benjaminas Zelkevicus, the Lithuanian coach, had no ifs or buts when he addressed himself to the importance of this evening's game. "It is simply the biggest game Lithuania has ever played and every one of our players will be aware of it going on the field," he said.

"It gives us a chance of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time - and that would make every Lithuanian happy. Socially and politically, it would be a great boost for country and make us known around the world. Who knows, we might even become more popular than our basketball team."

Basketball is the sport by which all others measure their success in this country. Back in the days of the Soviet Union, they provided the backbone of the Soviet teams which fought some memorable battles with the United States.

Last year, they reached the Olympic semi-finals, and their basketball team currently rejoices in the title of European champions. "Most sports interest here is centred on basketball and the rest suffer for it," said Zelkevicus.

As of now, football rates only fourth in the list of the country's biggest sports. After basketball, athletics and hockey claim most attention. Since Lithuania regained its independence, the Zalgiris Stadium, capacity 13,000, has never once been full for a football match.

With a place in the World Cup finals beckoning and a going rate of £2 for a ticket, organisers are hopeful of a capacity turnout this evening. "The only danger," said one spectator at yesterday's training session at the match venue, is if the weather gets worse." It's been raining for the last two days and the forecast is for more of the same.

The coach was delighted to have Valdas Ivanauskas available for the match. "Our strength is our team work, but there is no doubt that Ivanauskas will make a difference for us. He is a very good player and we missed him in Dublin."