Poland's Lewandowski to miss Euro 2024 opener against Netherlands with injury

Hamburg: Poland will be without captain Robert Lewandowski due to injury when they face the Netherlands in their Group D opener at the Euro 2024 on Sunday here.

Poland secured their spot in Euro 2024 after defeating Wales in a penalty shootout in March. Lewandowski, who scored the spot-kick in that match, suffered a thigh muscle injury during a warm-up game against Turkey earlier this week. However, there is optimism that the Barcelona forward will return during the group stage.

In addition to Lewandowski, Poland will also miss veteran forward Arkadiusz Milik, who underwent knee surgery following an injury sustained in a warm-up match against Ukraine.

On the other hand, the Netherlands, who qualified from a group that included France, have had their own challenges with injuries. They will be without key midfielders Frenkie de Jong, Teun Koopmeiners, and Marten de Roon for the tournament. Coach Ronald Koeman has called up Ian Maatsen and Joshua Zirkzee as replacements.

Despite missing Lewandowski, Poland will look to start their campaign on a positive note against the Netherlands, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. local time (1300 GMT). The teams have never met before at a major tournament though this is their 20th game overall since the first one 56 years ago. Poland last beat the Netherlands in 1979.

The match precedes the group fixtures of France and Austria, giving both Poland and the Netherlands an extra day of rest before their second round of games on Friday.  AP