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Football: Poland draw 2-2 with Iceland in Euro 2020 warm-up

08.06.2021 22:01
Poland's national football team picked up a 2-2 draw against Iceland on Tuesday in its last warm-up friendly at home before the Euro 2020 championships.
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  • Football: Poland draw 2-2 with Iceland in Euro 2020 warm-up
Poland players stand together for the national anthem before their friendly game against Iceland on Tuesday.
Poland players stand together for the national anthem before their friendly game against Iceland on Tuesday.Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

Albert Gudmundsson scored the opener for Iceland with a back flick kick in the 24th minute of the game at the Municipal Stadium in the western Polish city of Poznań.

Piotr Zieliński equalized 10 minutes later from Tymoteusz Puchacz's ball after a brilliant run from Poland captain Robert Lewandowski.

Napoli midfielder Piotr Zieliński scores the 1-1 goal for Poland against Iceland on Tuesday. Napoli midfielder Piotr Zieliński scored the 1-1 goal for Poland against Iceland on Tuesday. Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk
Poland boss Paulo Sousa and captain Robert Lewandowski. Poland boss Paulo Sousa and captain Robert Lewandowski. Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

Iceland recaptured the lead two minutes into the second half when Brynjar Bjarnason fired home from inside the box after a superb cross from Gudmundur Thórarinsson.

Substitute striker Karol Świderski made it 2-2 two minutes before full time when he slotted home from close range for his second international goal after being set up by 17-year-old midfielder Kacper Kozłowski.

Poland players celebrate a late equalizer from Karol Świderski against Iceland at the Municipal Stadium in Poznań on Tuesday. Poland players celebrate a late equalizer from Karol Świderski against Iceland at the Municipal Stadium in Poznań on Tuesday. Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

Neither the home side nor the visitors managed to score during the remainder of the game, which was played with around 20,000 spectators in the stands as Poland eases coronavirus restrictions amid a falling number of infections.

Photo:Around 20,000 fans watched the match from the stands as Poland eases coronavirus restrictions amid a falling number of infections. Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

The Polish side went into the match missing several key players, including strikers Krzysztof Piątek and Arkadiusz Milik, both of whom have been ruled out of Euro 2020 by injuries.

Injured Poland striker Krzysztof Piątek watches the game from the stands, together with wife Paulina. Injured Poland striker Krzysztof Piątek watches the game from the stands, together with wife Paulina. Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

Poland are ranked 21st worldwide by football's governing body FIFA, while Iceland are No. 52 in the FIFA table.

The Polish team on Tuesday completed a 16-day training camp on home soil in the western town of Opalenica ahead of the European championships, which start on June 11.

Poland last Tuesday were held to a 1-1 draw by Russia in a friendly match at home in the run-up to the Euro 2020 tournament.

Poland, under their Portuguese manager Paulo Sousa, kick off their Euro 2020 group-stage campaign with a fixture against Slovakia on June 14.

The Poles will next take on Spain on June 19 and then play Sweden four days later.

(gs)

Source: TVP Sport, PAP

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