Italy women's coach Aldo Corno could not hide his disappointment following his team's poor start to the Euro 2005 qualifying campaign.

The Azzurri went down 70-62 to Lithuania in their Group A opener in Vilnius.

"We have forgotten all the work we have done in the past one and a half months," said Corno.

"Maybe it was the pressure that explains why in 35 minutes we really haven't played."

Lithuania's Sandra Valuzyte scored 20 points on the night, while WNBA star Laura Macchi was Italy's highest scorer with 16.

A lack of concentration and Italy's poor shooting performance - only 38% from the two-point line and three from 12 from behind the arc - allowed Lithuania to take advantage.

Despite a promising start, with Macchi providing her team's first six points, the hosts soon took control.

The 40-29 lead at half-time proved too much for Corno's side, who will need to improve to beat Hungary in Naples on Saturday.