The Czech Republic started their European Championship qualifying campaign for the 2024 finals in Germany with a brilliant 3:1 victory over Poland. A Schalke professional was the best man on the pitch.
19,045 spectators, including several thousand fans from Poland, saw a one-sided European Championship qualifier between the Czech Republic and Poland in the “Fortuna Arena” in Prague.
The home side won 3:1 (2:0) against superstar Robert Lewandowski, who did not make an impression, and Co. and immediately took the lead in this qualifying group. Besides the Czech Republic and Poland, Albania, Moldova and the Faroe Islands are also represented here. The latter two nations drew 1-1, Albania had the day off.
That is probably what Poland would have wished for on Friday evening. The team of new national coach Fernando Santos had a disastrous half-time and was already trailing 0:2 after three (!) minutes.
Ladislav Krejci headed into the Polish net after only 30 seconds and Tomas Cvancara increased the lead to 2:0 in the 3rd minute. The Czechs, who were led by Schalke pro Alex Král, showed a strong performance. In particular, the Schalke player was everywhere to be seen. Whether on the left, on the right or in the centre, the curly-headed player was the engine in the game of the Czechs.
If not now, when? I’ve been in top form for a long time and I’m hitting, serving, playing regularly, actually playing through all the games. When I look at my personal situation and that of the strikers in the Polish squad, I already think that I should have expected to be nominated. When that wasn’t the case, it was like a slap in the face for me!
Dawid Kownacki
In the 64th minute Král was rewarded for his top performance on this evening when he passed to Jan Kuchta and he made it 3:0 (64th). The 1:3 of the Polish team by Damian Szymanski (87th) was no more than a cosmetic measure.
While the Czechs celebrated extensively, the mood of the Poles was already at rock bottom during Santos’ debut. There had already been trouble before the game.
Dawid Kownacki, currently in top form and scoring for Fortuna Düsseldorf seemingly every weekend, was not nominated and vented his frustration in the Polish media.
The 26-year-old, who has scored 13 goals and set up eight others in 26 appearances in the current series, told the portal “Przeglad Sportowy” about his non-nomination: “Nobody called me. Nor did I receive any signal that someone from the national team coaching staff was watching me in any league game. The only signal I had was from the national team doctor. When I slightly injured myself three or four weeks ago, he called me and asked what was wrong. I know that every Monday he gives the national coach a fitness report on the national players he is considering. So I already knew that there was interest in my person. But apart from that, I haven’t heard anything from the national team.”
Kownacki continued: “I had hoped, or rather expected, that I would be called up. Honestly, if not now, when? I’ve been in top form for a long time and I’m hitting, serving, playing regularly, actually playing through all the games. When I look at my personal situation and that of the strikers in the Polish squad, I think I should have expected to be nominated. When that wasn’t the case, it was like a slap in the face for me!”