Germany and Poland played out the first goalless draw of the UEFA Euro 2016 soccer tournament on Thursday in a dour match at the Stade de France.
A glaring miss was fittingly the key moment of a Group C match that led to Ukraine becoming the first team to be eliminated from Euro 2016.
Arkadiusz Milik, who scored Poland’s winner against Northern Ireland on Sunday, miscued a header as he fell to his knees in Germany’s goalmouth and the ball bounced just wide of Manuel Neuer’s right-hand post.
Photo: Reuters
That error, less than 20 seconds into the second half, hinted at better things after a lifeless first period.
However, neither team could sustain any attacking pressure, and a point suits both after their opening wins. Ukraine will finish last in the group after a pair of 2-0 losses, first to Germany then against Northern Ireland earlier on Thursday.
Poland fans in a crowd of 73,648 cheered loudly at the final whistle, and coach Adam Nawalka turned and applauded to his staff and substitutes in the dugout.
Germany was playing at the stadium for the first time since the militant attacks on Nov. 13 last year which claimed the lives of 130 people in the Paris area — carried out on the night of their friendly against France.
Both teams played as if a draw was a decent night’s work, and arguably a product of the newly expanded 24-team format for the championship.
Now that most third-place teams advance from the groups, four points will likely ensure a place in the round of 16.
Presented with a second good chance, Milik missed the ball completely in the 69th minute when teed up at the penalty spot by another Kamil Grosicki pass.
Seconds later, Germany broke forward and Mesut Ozil’s curling chipped shot was tipped over by goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
When Poland’s feared forward Robert Lewandowski got his only clear sight of goal, Bayern Munich teammate Jerome Boateng came in with a well-timed saving tackle.
Thomas Mueller’s deft pass in the 86th set up Benedikt Hoewedes with a chance to win it for Germany, but the rightback wanted an extra touch and was shut down.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely