With just ten days left until the Group C fixtures kick off, Poland will be able to enter the Euros on a positive note if they pass the job of beating Lithuania tomorrow.
Lithuania didn’t qualify for the tournament, but they have the chance to cause an upset in a friendly just before the competition starts.
Lithuania recently played in a friendly match against Latvia, they lost 2-1 as Fiodor Cernych picked up a late consolation.
Poland’s form in the friendlies has been impressive, but they will have to put everything on the line especially with the tough group they are part of, which includes world champions Germany, Ukraine and Northern Ireland. Other than winning all the group stage fixtures, there is no other easy route towards the knockout stages.
Opposition
Edgaras Jankauskas’s side may not have many well known players, but a few will surely shock the Polish during the friendly.
Captain Fiodor Cernych will be a player to look out for; the striker has two goals in his last two appearances for the national side. He will surely be motivating his side to give it their best against Poland and not to be afraid of the outcome.
Winger Arvydas Novikovas will attempt to cause some problems to Poland’s defence on the flank too. The 25-year-old has made over 25 appearances for his country and will be looking to do more for his national team.
Most of the squad for national team play in their home country, so the chemistry between the individuals will surely be strong as well.
Head to head
Interestingly, there has only been 10 matches between Poland and Lithuania. Lithuania have taken victory twice out of the 10 occasions. Last time both sides met was in 2014, which was a friendly match at the Stadion Energa Gdansk in Poland.
Lithuania took the lead just before half time; forward Lukas Spalvis scored a tap-in after a quick follow up from his header which hit the post. Luck was definitely on the youngster’s side as the first half was coming to an end.
Poland replied back in the second half though, a squared ball from Kamil Grociski into the path of Arkadiusz Milik was followed by a simple tap into the back of the next to level the score. Captain Robert Lewandowski was then fouled in the box and took the penalty himself to give Poland the lead with just 10 minutes left as the match ended Poland 2-1 Lithuania.
Last game before the real test
Poland will be the underdogs for the Euros, but they do have the squad quality to progress far into the competition.
With Lewandowski leading the line, Poland have a world class player that can guarantee them a goal at anytime as long as the service is provided. The national side will want to prove to the big guns in the Euros that they don’t rely on the Bayern Munich striker though, despite him netting 13 times in 10 games during the qualifiers.
A win for Poland shouldn’t increase the expectations for the Euros, but it will allow them to enter competition on a positive vibe and let their football do the talking. They have been on a good run during the friendlies, so the confidence and spirit within the squad should be high.