Poland began their preparations for this summer’s Euro 2016 with a 1-0 win over Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday.
Jakub Blaszczykowski picked up a poor Serbia clearance and sent a volley into the lower-left corner of Vladmir Stojkovic’s goal in the 28th minute.
Arkadiusz Milik hit the post for Euro 2012 cohost Poland, who had substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to thank for the win.
Photo: Reuters
Szczesny produced a superb save to turn away Adem Ljajic’s shot from the edge of the penalty area and then again denied the Inter forward, before pushing a header by Slobodan Rajkovic onto the crossbar late in the match in Poznan.
Elsewhere, Inter teammates Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic scored in the first half as Croatia began their preparations with a 2-0 victory at home against Israel.
Perisic picked up a floated pass from Brozovic in the penalty area and drove a left-foot volley into the roof of the net after four minutes. Brozovic pounced to score in the 34th after a shot by Mario Mandzukic rebounded off the post.
Croatia had more chances, but failed to score on a rain-soaked pitch in Osijek. Captain Darjo Srna limped off late in the first half after being on the receiving end of a rough tackle.
Romania, who are to begin the Euro 2016 against hosts France, edged Lithuania 1-0 with a goal by Nicolae Stanciu in the 65th minute.
Euro 2016 is to start in France on June 10 and run through July 10.
In other friendlies, Slovenia beat Macedonia 1-0, while Gibraltar and Liechtenstein drew 0-0.
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from
The former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly US$17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account. Ippei Mizuhara, who was supposed to bridge the gap between the Japanese athlete and his English-speaking teammates and fans, was sentenced in federal court in Santa Ana to four years and nine months after pleading guilty last year. He was ordered to pay US$18 million in restitution, with nearly US$17 million going to Ohtani and the remainder to the US Internal Revenue Service. He was
The 40-year-old LeBron James on Thursday became the oldest player to score 40 points in an NBA game, putting up a season-high 42 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors. James passed the record held by Michael Jordan, his idol and the only other NBA player to score 40 after his 40th birthday. “I’m old, that’s my take,” James said when asked about his latest achievement. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep, that’s what I think.” Jordan did it for the Washington Wizards just three days after turning 40 in February 2003. James is 38
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