Poland dealswith Austria on Friday (noon ET on FS1) in a videogame both haveactually targeted as a must-win after losing their European Championship openers, and with a morepowerful challenger to follow. The physicalfitness of Robert Lewandowski is the secret concern for Poland, which led however lost to the Netherlands 2-1 without him. Austria was beaten by France, 1-0.
Here’s what to understand about the match:
Match realities
— When Poland played Austria in their 2nd group videogame at Euro 2008, the strange result was criticism by the Polish prime minister of English referee Howard Webb, who got hazards online. Webb granted Austria a stoppage-time charge to get a 1-1 draw that was the just point each group got before stoppingworking to advance. The prime minister that day, Donald Tusk, returned last year to lead the nationwide federalgovernment.
— Austria and Poland fulfill 16 years lateron having, onceagain, lost their veryfirst videogames. Austria as co-host in 2008 stoppedworking to reach the group phase, as did Poland as co-host 4 years lateron. Euro 2012 was the last 16-team competition before it was broadened to 24 which suggests 4 third-place groups have to advance to the knockout rounds.
— Poland coach Michał Probierz was a competitor for finest dressed individual in the dugouts with his three-piece match, focused on a beige check waistcoat, for the opening videogame. He is customized by a group sponsor and there needto be more fine threads on program on Friday in his “Peaky Blinders” design. Poland fantastic Zbigniew Boniek recommended Probierz needsto win then “come to the next match in a tailcoat.”
Team news
— About Lewandowski. The Poland captain and talisman harmed a thigh muscle in a pre-tournament warmup versus Turkey and sat out the Netherlands videogame, where his replacement Adam Buksa scored. The Barcelona forward was back in training on Tuesday, and was pleasant while biking on Wednesday, though he appears notlikely to be at 100% if he begins.
— Austria has no significant injury issues.
By the numbers
— Poland lastly gets to play a competition videogame at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. At the 1974 World Cup hosted by West Germany, the standout Polish group played 7 videogames however none in Berlin, which will host the Euro 2024 last. Poland beat Brazil 1-0 in the third-place videogame 50 years ago in Munich’s Olympic Stadium which likewise hosted the last.
— Austria gets about 30 less hours of healing time than Poland from the Euro 2024 schedule. Austria dealtwith France on Monday night after Poland played the Netherlands on Sunday afternoon.
— Losing to France ended Austria’s seven-game unbeaten run giventhat a 3-2 loss to Belgium in their certifying group.
What they’re stating
— “We’re well mindful we can lose versus France — we’re not impractical dreamers. We understand the circumstance now. We have to beat Poland to development.” — Austria coach Ralf Rangnick.
— “After the opening videogame, we oughtto hold our heads high and appearance to play well in the 2nd videogame.” — Poland forward Adam Buksa.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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