Lithuania dressing room burgled in Trelleborg

Smarting from a narrow loss to Sweden in a Division 2A Nations Cup qualifier, Lithuania say they had salt rubbed into the wound by a dressing room burglary. Lithuanian federation delegate Ramunas Grumbinas told AFP yesterday that the Baltic state’s...

Smarting from a narrow loss to Sweden in a Division 2A Nations Cup qualifier, Lithuania say they had salt rubbed into the wound by a dressing room burglary.

Lithuanian federation delegate Ramunas Grumbinas told AFP yesterday that the Baltic state’s team planned to report the incident to the International Rugby Board, claiming the Swedes had brushed it aside.

Grumbinas said 10 of Lithuania’s 25-strong squad had belongings stolen during Saturday’s European Nations Cup clash in Trelleborg, which the Swedes won 26-22.

The unidentified burglars made off with cash, mobile telephones and a camera.

Lithuania coach Anatolijus Smirnovas said: “In the 13 years I’ve been heading the team, this is the first case of theft from rugby players. Had this happened to the Swedes, it would be a huge scandal.”

Malta is in the same group with Lithuania and Sweden. The national team plays away at Sweden next May. On Saturday, Damien Neill’s men threw away a 19-3 lead before losing to Latvia 33-26.

Standings: Sweden (2-0-0) 9; Latvia (1-0-1) 6; Lithuania (1-0-1) 5; Croatia (1-0-1) 4; Malta (0-0-2) 3.

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