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Football: Poland to take on Wales in Euro 2024 playoffs

26.03.2024 07:30
Poland’s national soccer team is set to take on Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday in a final playoff for a place at the 2024 European championships in Germany.
Poland players, led by captain Robert Lewandowski (centre), during a training session in Cardiff on Monday.
Poland players, led by captain Robert Lewandowski (centre), during a training session in Cardiff on Monday.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

The match at Cardiff City Stadium kicks off at 8:45 p.m. Warsaw time.

Poland last Thursday beat Estonia 5-1 in a playoff semifinal, moving a step closer to booking a ticket to the continental tournament in Germany.

Poland manager Michał Probierz on Monday released a list of 23 players called up for the Wales game.

The squad includes Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski and other regulars such as Napoli midfielder Piotr Zieliński and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.

If the Polish team defeats Wales on Tuesday night, it will clinch a berth at Euro 2024.

A total of 12 teams are vying for the three remaining Euro 2024 spots in two-stage, single-leg playoffs this month.

The winners of the three playoff paths will complete the 24-team Euro 2024 lineup, joining 20 teams that advanced from the 10 qualifying groups plus hosts Germany, European football's governing body UEFA has said.

Poland missed out on a chance to qualify directly for Euro 2024, after drawing 1-1 with the Czech Republic in their last qualifying game in Warsaw in November.

Poland boss Michał Probierz and captain Robert Lewandowski during a press conference in Warsaw on Monday, March 18, 2024. Poland boss Michał Probierz and captain Robert Lewandowski during a press conference in Warsaw on Monday, March 18, 2024. Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

Poland won 11 points from eight matches in their qualifying Group E, which also included Albania, Moldova and the Faroe Islands.

The Euro 2024 tournament will be held from June 14 to July 14 in 10 cities in Germany, with the final played at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

The Poles, captained by Lewandowski, are ranked 30th worldwide by football's governing body FIFA, while Wales are No. 29 in the FIFA table.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP