Poland 1-2 Holland: Georginio Wijnaldum deals blow to Robert Lewandowski and Co’s Euro 2016 preparations

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Updated: June 2, 2016
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Newcastle star Georginio Wijnaldum(right)  netted the winner with a superb finish into the top corner


Poland’s preparations for the European Championship suffered a blow after they were beaten 2-1 by Holland – who failed to qualify for the tournament – at the Energa stadium.

Arkadiusz Milik was denied giving Poland the lead by the crossbar before Vincent Janssen headed home Steven Berghuis’ cross to put Holland in front at half-time.

The hosts equalised with a bullet header from Artur Jedrzejczyk after the break, but Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum continued his rich vein of scoring form by hitting the winner with a superb strike into the top corner.


Vincent Janssen (second left) celebrates with team-mates after opening the scoring for Holland

Arkadiusz Milik celebrates with supporters after bringing Poland level with a bullet header
Arkadiusz Milik celebrates with supporters after bringing Poland level with a bullet header

MATCH FACTS 

POLAND: Szczesny; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk; Blaszczykowski (Kapustka), Maczynski (Jodlowiec), Zielinski, Grosicki (Peszko); Milik (Stepinski), Lewandowski (Krychowiak)

Booked: Lewandowski

HOLLAND: Cillessen; Tete, Bruma, Van Dijk, Willems (Van Aanholt); Van Ginkel (Strootman), Bazoer, Wijnaldum; Berghuis (Narsingh), Janssen (Dost), Promes

Booked:Wijnaldum

Scorer: Janssen 33′

Despite failing to qualify for the European Championship for the first time since 1984, Danny Blind’s side impressed against the Poles.

After weathering an opening storm of Poland attacks, which included Milik striking the crossbar after only seven minutes, the Dutch gradually improved as the game wore on.

Janssen threatened on the counter attack but wasted an opportunity to take the lead after skewing his shot wide of Wojciech Szczesny’s goal..

The AZ Alkmaar striker, who was leading scorer in the Eredivisie last season, eventually broke the deadlock with a close range header from Berghuis’ cross.

Janssen could have doubled his tally shortly after only to be denied by a smart save from Arsenal keeper Szczesny – who also kept out an effort from Berghuis minutes later.

Poland talisman Robert Lewandowski (left) shields the ball from Jeffrey Bruma of Holland

Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski is caught by a sliding challenge from Holland midfielder Riechedly Bazoer

POLAND EURO 2016 FIXTURES 

June 12 Poland vs Northern Ireland 17:00

June 16 Germany vs Poland 20:00

June 21 Ukraine vs Poland 17:00

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski showed more industry in the second-half and was unfortunate not to equalise with a long-range effort.

Poland’s urgency paid dividends when FC Krasnodar defender Jedrzejczyk rose highest to head past Jasper Cillessen and level the game.

Janssen headed home a cross from Steven Berghuis to give Holland the lead on 33 minutes

Poland keeper Szczesny looks on as Holland players celebrate the opening goal at the Energa Stadium

Hollands's Riechedly Bazoer (second left) presses Lewandowski as Poland look to get level

Jedrzejczyk (third left) is embraced by his Poland team-mates after bringing the hosts back into the game

 Holland midfielfder Wijnaldum (left) and Poland's Milik vie for the ball in a 50/50 challenge

Playing in front of a home crowd, the Poles piled forward but were undone when Newcastle’s top scorer Wijnaldum spun in the area and unleashed a stunning shot into the top corner for the winner.

Poland will play Lithuania on Monday in the final warm-up game before heading to the tournament where they share Group C with Germany, Northern Ireland and Ukraine.