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Football: Poland to play Austria in Euro 2020 qualifier

09.09.2019 08:30
Poland’s national football team was on Monday set to take on Austria at home in a Euro 2020 qualifier, looking to make amends after a shock loss to Slovenia.
Poland manager Jerzy Brzęczek and player Grzegorz Krychowiak during a pre-match news conference in Warsaw on Sunday.
Poland manager Jerzy Brzęczek and player Grzegorz Krychowiak during a pre-match news conference in Warsaw on Sunday.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

The match against Austria was due to kick off at 8:45 pm at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

On Friday, the Poles lost 0-2 to lower-ranked Slovenia after an uninspiring performance at Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana, with goals from Aljaž Struna and Andraž Šporar.

Poland's Robert Lewandowski (right) in action against Slovenia in Ljubljana on Friday. Photo: EPA/ANTONIO BAT Poland's Robert Lewandowski (right) in action against Slovenia in Ljubljana on Friday. Photo: EPA/ANTONIO BAT

Despite the defeat, Poland remained on top their qualifying group G, with 12 points after five rounds of fixtures, three more than Austria.

Barring a disaster, the Poles have all but guaranteed themselves a spot in the 2020 European championships.

Poland opened their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 away win against Austria on March 21. The Polish team three days later beat Latvia 2-0 in their second Euro 2020 qualifier at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Poland on June 7 beat North Macedonia 1-0 at Toše Proeski Arena in the Balkan country’s capital Skopje. Three days later Jerzy Brzęczek's men demolished Israel 4-0 at home in their fourth straight Euro 2020 qualifying win.

Fifty-five European teams were in December drawn into a total of 10 qualifying groups, five groups of five teams and five six-team groups.

The Euro 2020 qualifiers will be played until November, with the top two teams from each group qualifying directly for the championships.

The Euro 2020 tournament will be held from June 12 to July 12, 2020 in 12 cities around Europe, with the final played at London's Wembley Stadium.

Brzęczek took over as Poland manager last summer after the national squad’s early exit from the World Cup in Russia.

(gs)