LITHUANIANS Nautara Kaunas proved too strong for The New Saints in the opening game of the Uefa Futsal Cup preliminary group B in Geneva on Tuesday night.
TNS went down 9-3 to their professional opponents but finished the stronger and, with a bit more poise in front of goal, could have reduced the arrears further in the closing stages.
Kaunas never looked back after taking the lead through Nemanis with just over a minute on the clock and soon added another through Markauskas.
Further goals from Karmazinas and Urbelionis underlined the Lithuanians' far greater experience at the five-a-side game, although Barry Haralambous was unlucky to see his effort rebound off the goal frame.
But, after Eric Ramsey had diverted the ball into his own net for the fifth, he atoned by opening the TNS account just before the break.
Hopes of a second-half comeback were soon crushed when Karmazinas and Lemezis with a brace scored further goals but, after Urbelionis had added the ninth on 29 minutes, the young Saints mounted a fightback.
Naim Arsan and Adam Jenkins scored within 30 seconds of each other, Arsan miscued when well placed to add his second, Jenkins headed narrowly over the bar and Scott Quigley could also have scored.
In the night's other game, Irish champions EID Dublin drew 3-3 with host club Geneva Futsal, who face TNS on Wednesday night (7.00pm BST).
TNS squad: Alex Ramsay, Nicky Jones, Sean Ellis, Eric Ramsey, Thomas Allen, Barry Haralambous, Adam Jenkins, Scott Quigley, Naim Arsan, George Austin.
Photo: The New Saints' keeper Alex Ramsay makes a diving save as Barry Haralambous covers on the line.