Euro 2020 takeaways: Poland catches a break after flop against Slovakia

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This article was published 14/06/2021 (1937 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The first major upset of Euro 2020 didn’t look as bad at the end of the day as it may have felt when Robert Lewandowski and Poland watched Slovakia celebrate victory in the tournament opener for both teams.

How the Polish would fare in a wide-open Group E was one of the biggest questions heading into the early stages. If striker Lewandowski was on and got the service he needed — if relatively new manager Paulo Sousa could structure his squad to do just that — there was a chance Poland could run away with the standings.

If not? Thing could get dicey, as was apparent in Poland’s 2-1 loss on Monday.

Slovakia jumped to a surprise lead in the 18th minute. The goal should have been awarded to Robert Mak, who did the hard work to get the ball between the front post and Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, but it was eventually deemed an own goal by the netminder. Far too often, the Polish side gave the Slovak attack too much space to do its bidding.

They managed to stay in it, though, and got Lewandowski into the mix quickly in the second half. It was his run near the front post that drew a defender away from teammate Karol Linetty, who tied the game in the 46th minute. But a red card to defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak in the 62nd minute, for the accumulation of two yellows, dashed Poland’s attempt at a comeback, and a Lewandowski-like finish from Slovakia’s Milan Skriniar in the 69th minute cemented the win.

Stumbling in the opener against a team many expected Poland to beat could have derailed their hopes. But a 0-0 tie between Spain and Sweden in the other Group E game of the day, when Spain dominated possession and off-target chances but lacked incisiveness, keeps the Poles in the mix.

Figuring out how replace Krychowiak — now suspended for Poland’s match against Spain on Saturday — and, most important, how to get Lewandowski more involved are tall tasks for Paulo Sousa after Monday’s performance.

With one of the best players in the world in your ranks, the hope is still there — even if it is now only a glimmer.

• The longest goal: Czech Republic forward Patrik Schick’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Scotland on Monday was the longest ever at a European championship. Schick’s lob from just past midfield — which caught Scottish ’keeper David Marshall off his line, but still needed to be pinpoint accurate to drop into the back of the net — measured 50 metres. If that’s not the goal of the tournament, it’s hard to imagine what will be.

• What did he say? North Macedonia’s football federation (FFM) called on UEFA to investigate remarks allegedly made by Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic during Sunday’s match between the countries.

Arnautovic, 32, came on as a substitute and later scored. His goal celebration was heated, and Austria captain David Alaba grabbed Arnautovic’s face in what looked like an attempt to restrain him. Initial reports suggested he had directed anti-Albanian comments at Egzon Bejtulai and Ezgjan Alioski, both of whom have Albanian roots. A statement Monday from North Macedonia’s governing body said the comments were aimed at Alioski.

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“The FFM strongly condemns the nationalistic outburst of Austrian player Marko Arnautovic, after a goal scored in yesterday’s match, addressed to Ezgjan Alioski,” read a statement on the federation’s Facebook page. “At the same time, we inform you that we have submitted an official letter to UEFA demanding the harshest punishment for Arnautovic.”

Arnautovic’s father is from Serbia, where tensions with Albania are long-running.

In an Instagram post, the striker apologized for what he called “heated words,” but denied any racist intent: “I would like to say one thing very clearly: I AM NOT A RACIST! I have friends in almost every country and I stand for diversity. Everyone who knows me is aware of that.”

Combating racism in soccer and society as a whole remains a top priority for squads such as England, Belgium, Wales and Switzerland, whose players kneel before each match in support of the fight for equality and justice. Belgium’s demonstration earned resounding jeers from the crowd at Russia’s St. Petersburg Stadium, while England’s kneeling at London’s Wembley Stadium was met with a mix of cheers and boos.

• Live screaming: For Canadians viewers following Euro 2020 on TSN Direct, a spokesperson said Monday that the network is aware that some viewers are experiencing problems with live streaming. Technical teams investigate any issues that arise, according to TSN. Users can access the help page on the network’s website for assistance, or contact customer service.

• On the docket: There are only two matches Tuesday, as the first round of group-stage games wraps up. Group F should have no trouble generating excitement. Favourite France will look to move on from reported infighting involving stars Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud and get a result against Germany (3 p.m.), while a full stadium in Budapest could give Hungary a boost against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal (noon).

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy