Poland will be looking to return to winning ways when they face Austria in their Group D clash at the Euro 2024 tournament. The match will take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany on Friday. The biggest talking point heading into the game is the absence of Poland’s all-time leading goalscorer, Robert Lewandowski. The Barcelona striker, known for his consistent threat at both club and international level, suffered a biceps femoris muscle tear during a warm-up match against Turkey. He was forced out of the game in the 33rd minute. Despite winning that match 2-1, Poland’s medical team faced a race against time to get their star striker ready for the opening game.
Meanwhile, Austria’s starting XI against Poland holds a unique distinction. With an average age of 28 years and 217 days, it is the oldest starting lineup the country has ever fielded in a UEFA European Championship match. Adding to their historic performance, Gernot Trauner’s goal in the 9th minute became Austria’s fastest ever goal scored at the EUROs. This achievement also marks their fastest goal at a major tournament since the 1954 World Cup, where they scored twice within the opening four minutes against Czechoslovakia.
With Lewandowski sidelined and Austria’s record-breaking start, this match promises to be an exciting encounter. Poland will need to find a way to cope without their star striker, while Austria will look to build upon their impressive opening performance. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter in Berlin.
