The pitch at the Darius and Girenas Stadium in Kaunas is not fit to stage tonight's Euro 2012 qualifier between Lithuania and Spain, the world and European champions, according to Vicente Del Bosque, the Spanish coach.
"It isn't good for us or for them. The pitch isn't for playing on, it's not in condition," Del Bosque told a news conference in Kaunas yesterday.
The playing surface has barely any grass on it after a harsh winter, although a friendly between Lithuania and Poland was played on it on Friday. A final decision as to whether the Lithuania-Spain game can go ahead will be made today.
Del Bosque said it would be difficult to find another date for the fixture.
"There is one problem, that the pitch is bad," he said. "We are in good condition to play it. We would like to play and to have everything settled until September, but if the pitch isn't good the ideal situation would be not to play.
"It's not the Lithuanian federation's fault. They have had a hard winter, and the playing surface has deteriorated as a result, not because of the federation's negligence."
If the match goes ahead, a muddy pitch without much grass would possibly force Group I leaders Spain to move away from their trademark possession and quick-passing game.
"We aren't going to completely change our style of play," Del Bosque said. "But if we can't play it short we'll play it long, looking for the knock downs. We have the players to do it. We will adapt to the situation."
Spain have won four out of four games to top the group with 12 points, ahead of fourth-placed Lithuania who have four points from three games.
Holland, who were beaten by Spain in last summer's World Cuo final, are looking to maintain their perfect qualifying record against Hungary and virtually assure themselves of a place at next year's European Championship.
Holland will make it six wins from as many qualifiers if they win tonight's match at the Amsterdam Arena.
Hungary, meanwhile, are trying to get their Group E campaign back on track against a team that beat them 4-0 on Friday in Budapest.
The absence of Maarten Stekelenburg in goal, Mark van Bommel in midfield, Arjen Robben on the wing and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in attack did not hinder Holland on Friday.
"We put on an exhibition and won 4-0 with beautiful football," Wesley Sneijder, the Dutch playmaker, told the official Dutch supporters' club website. "If we stay focused, it's going to be fun again - for us and our fans."
For Hungary, Friday's loss confirmed that they have to improve to reach the continental championship.
"One dream less," Sandor Egervari, their coach, said after Friday's loss. "We have to acknowledge that our rivals were superior in every way."
Hungary last took part in a major international tournament at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
