English Section

Football: Poland to take on Estonia in Euro 2024 playoffs

21.03.2024 10:00
Poland’s national soccer team is set to take on Estonia in a playoff for a place at the 2024 European championships in Germany.
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski during a training session in Warsaw on Thursday.
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski during a training session in Warsaw on Thursday.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

The match at the Polish capital's National Stadium kicks off at 8:45 p.m. Warsaw time.

Poland manager Michał Probierz has released a list of 23 players called up for the 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 Estonia on Thursday night, it will go on to face the winner of Wales vs. Finland in an away playoff final on Tuesday, March 26, Poland's PAP news agency reported.

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 Estonia are No. 123 in the FIFA table.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP