In a compelling friendly match at Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy, Poland’s national football team triumphed over Ukraine with a score of 3-1. This game served as Poland’s penultimate preparation before Euro 2024. Michał Probierz’s squad will face Turkey in their final warm-up before the tournament in Germany.
Promising Performance by the White-and-Reds
As the Polish team enters the final stages of preparation for the European Championships, set to begin on June 16 with a match against the Netherlands, their performance against Ukraine provided both reassurance and highlights of areas needing improvement. The match, which took place on a somber Friday evening in Warsaw, began with a minute of silence to honor a Polish soldier who died following an attack by illegal migrants at the Belarus border.
Early Setbacks and Swift Recovery
The game saw an early setback when Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik had to leave the field due to injury shortly after the kickoff. Despite this, the Polish team quickly found their rhythm. Demonstrating effective teamwork and possession play, they showcased their prowess, particularly in set pieces—a focus Probierz had emphasized. Two of Poland’s goals resulted from corner kicks, with Sebastian Walukiewicz scoring in the 11th minute and Taras Romanczuk adding another in the 30th. Piotr Zieliński’s stunning long-range shot in the 16th minute further solidified their lead.
Ukraine’s Response and Poland’s Injuries
Ukraine’s Artem Dovbyk managed to narrow the gap just before halftime, exploiting a lapse in Poland’s defense to beat goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski. The halftime interval featured a ceremonial moment as the Polish Football Association (PZPN) president presented medals to the legendary Górski’s Eagles, commemorating their third-place finish at the World Cup in Germany fifty years ago.
A Tense Second Half
The second half lacked the excitement of the first, marred by additional injuries within the Polish squad. Taras Romanczuk and Nicola Zalewski were both forced off the field due to injuries, adding to the team’s concerns ahead of Euro 2024. While both teams had opportunities to alter the scoreline, precise goalkeeping and errant shots kept the final score unchanged.
Looking Ahead
Poland will play one more friendly match against Turkey on Monday before heading to Germany for the European Championship, where they will compete in a challenging group against the Netherlands, Austria, and France.
Match Details
Poland 3-1 Ukraine
Goals: S. Walukiewicz (11′), P. Zieliński (16′), T. Romanczuk (30′) – A. Dovbyk (42′)
Referee: A. Madley (England)