He's back: Poland captain Robert Lewandowski is fit and ready for the match against Austria. © APA/afp / GABRIEL BOUYS

Against Austria and the end: Poland has Lewandowski back

The most important thigh of the Polish football nation seems to be healthy enough again. Robert Lewandowski is back in team training. Austria is meanwhile preparing tactically for Poland.

June 20, 2024

From: cst/dpa

Robert Lewandowski was in a particularly good mood on Thursday. The superstar's likely comeback comes just in time, as his Poles are playing against Austria in the European Championships on Friday (18 p.m.) in Berlin.

In the national team, everything often depended on the 35-year-old. He scored five of the last seven goals in the last two tournaments. In the 1:2 opening defeat against the Netherlands, Lewandowski could only support from the sidelines. "We spoke before the game and he gave me a few tips. He helps us all," said his representative Adam Buksa, who shot the team into the lead. Even though the Oranje's winning goal came late, the Poles were clearly the inferior team.

Secret favorite Austria must deliver

The ominous title of dark horse favorite, which the Poles often had because of their goalscorer, is now shared by the Austrians. Team manager Ralf Rangnick has turned the ÖFB team into an unpleasant opponent. The 0:1 defeat against runners-up France can certainly be seen as unfortunate, given an own goal, a great chance and a controversial referee decision. But it doesn't change the fact that points have to be scored now.

After Kylian Mbappe, Austria's defense chief Kevin Danso is approaching the next superstar. © APA / GEORG HOCHMUTH

The Austrians are also expecting a tough match in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. "The match against Poland will be a little different, with more tackling," said Nicolas Seiwald. "Poland will attack us higher than the French, but we are prepared for that." After France's Kylian Mbappé, the second outstanding attacker is coming at the Austrian defense. "We have been warned, but we don't have to be afraid of him," said goalkeeper Patrick Pentz. "It's not just about Lewandwoski. We are preparing for the entire Poland squad and all their strikers."

“It will be a fighting game, even brutal at times.” Przemyslaw Frankowski

The Poles are also motivated. "Beating Austria is the key. We will do everything we can to stay in this tournament as long as possible," said Michal Probierz. It is already a kind of final: both teams lost their opening games against the group favorites Netherlands and France. A defeat on Friday would mean the end if France and the Netherlands draw in the evening.

"It will be a tough game, even brutal at times, but we have no problem with that. We will counter with our style," said midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski.