When it comes to the Balkans, everyone balks a bit when naming countries that make up the region. Just the other day we had a conversation with a homeless guy in Washington Square Park who insisted Yugoslavia existed to-date. Um, yeah. Stoner. Yet, some Eastern European countries, i.e. the Czech Republic, are having trouble defining Latvia and Lithuania. During an international friendly on Tuesday, the Czech Republic displayed full roster-stats, national anthem and a national flag intended for Balkan rival Latvia. Unfortuntely, they were playing Lithuania (flag pictured). The result?

The Czech Republic’s soccer federation apologized Wednesday to its Lithuanian counterpart and to the Lithuanian embassy in Prague. The federation said in a statement that the mistakes were inexcusable and measures will be taken not to repeat them in the future. Federation spokesman Vaclav Tichy took responsibility and resigned from his post. His deputy was fired and another federation official fined, the statement said.

We imagine it’s what our El Salvadorian and Guatemalan friends go through on a daily basis.

Oblivious gringo says, “We love Mexican people.”
El Salvadorian and Guatemalan friends reply, “Oh. We’re not Mexican.”
OG: “But you speak Mexican?”
Friends: “No. We speak Spanish.”
OG: “Of course. We really enjoy mariachi music and tacos.”
Friends: “Wow.”

Cheer up, Lithuania.

Know your international soccer opponent [Deadspin, via AP]
Image [Go East Europe]