Spain hold course, Dutch edge Hungary in thriller

PARIS, March 30 (AFP): Defending champions Spain beat Lithuania 3-1 on Tuesday to remain unbeaten in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, while the Netherlands edged Hungary in an eight-goal thriller in Amsterdam. Spain now have a six-point lead in Group I, after seeing off Lithuania on a wretchedly bare pitch in Kaunas that had prompted calls for the game to be postponed. "It was important to win today despite the lamentable state of the pitch," Spain midfielder Xavi told Telecinco. "It's just sand, it's sad to see a pitch like that. You can't play football here. But we're happy. We have a foot and a half in the Euro." Xavi gave the visitors a 20th-minute lead with a deflected shot but Marius Stankevicius, who plays for Spanish club Valencia, drew Lithuania level in the 57th minute with a sensational low drive from 30 yards.