Poland face a tough test in their next group match as they face Spain in Seville

Poland did not have the most ideal of starts in the European Championships, but the White and Reds will be looking to cause an upset against the giants of Group E, Spain.

Paulo Sousa will be hoping to avoid early elimination from his first major international tournament as Poland manager as his side travel to Seville to face Luis Enrique’s Spain.

The beginning of the tournament has been less than ideal for the Poles as they went toe to toe with Slovakia in Saint Petersburg.

In the 18th minute, Slovakia were in front due to an own goal from Wojciech Szczesny. The defensive incapabilities of Kamil Jozwiak allowed Robert Mak to skip past the winger with ease.

Slovakia’s number 20 then was able to get past Bartosz Bereszynski as he barred down on goal. He unleashed a shot that hit the post but fortunately for him hit the back of Poland’s number one as the ball trickled into the back of the net.

Less than a minute into the second-half, Poland were level after a brilliant piece of team play. Mateusz Klich found the run of Maciej Rybus who squared the ball into the path of Karol Linetty which allowed the midfielder to tap the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Poland went down to 10-men after Grzegorz Krychowiak was sent off in the 62nd minute and then conceded a matter of minutes later.

Marek Hamsik’s header found Milan Skriniar in acres of space as the defender blasted the ball into the back of the net to restore Slovakia’s lead which they held onto the end of the game.

Spain on the other hand started their European Championship adventure with a draw against Sweden. Enrique’s side had plenty of chances to break the deadlock but failed to do so.

Chances from Alvaro Morata, Koke and Dani Olmo were all missed as the Spaniard’s failed to capitalise on their whopping 17 shots and 86% possession.

The last time Poland and Spain met was in an International Friendly back in 2010. Spain ran riot as they started their early onslaught in the 12th minute with David Villa opening the scoring.

Only two minutes later, David Silva added a second as Poland which is how it would remain until the half-time interval.

Right from the get-go in the second-half it was evident that the Spaniard’s weren’t done there. Xabi Alonso scored goal number three with Cesc Fabregas making it 4-0 in the 58th minute.

Fernando Torres and Pedro added to the score in the final 15 minutes as Spain smashed Poland 6-0 at the Estadio Enrique Roca De Murcia.

The White and Reds have come up against the Spaniard’s in the European Championships on two occasions with both of those games ending in defeat for the Poles.

Poland have only won once against La Furia Roja which came back in November 1980, but since that 2-1 victory, Spain are unbeaten in the last seven matches and they will look to extend this run this weekend.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt

[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”15″ heading=”Internationals” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]