Poland welcomed Netherlands to Gdansk for an international friendly on Wednesday night.
Both teams had chances in an open first period, but Netherlands led 1-0 at the break courtesy of a close-range header from Vincent Janssen.
Poland were level on the hour when centre-back Artur Jedrzejczyk headed home from a corner, but Netherlands won it 14 minutes from time courtesy of a powerful strike from Georgino Wijnaldum.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live international coverage continues from Gdansk as Poland welcome Netherlands for a friendly. The home side are currently preparing for Euro 2016, but Netherlands will not take part in the competition after failing to qualify. Instead, all of the Dutch focus will be on building towards their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign. It should be an open and entertaining affair tonight!
6.49pmTonight will be the first time that Poland and Netherlands have locked horns since 2000, when Netherlands were 3-1 winners in a friendly. They have actually only met twice since 1993 and Netherlands have been victorious in both of those matches. On Netherlands' last trip to Poland, a certain Dennis Bergkamp scored twice in a 3-1 win. What a player Bergkamp was by the way!
6.52pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Gdansk. Who have Adam Nawalka and Danny Blind selected in their starting XIs? Let's have a look!
6.55pmTEAMS:
POL: Szczesny; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk; Blaszczykowski, Maczynski, Zielinski, Grosicki; Milik, Lewandowski
NED: Cillessen; Tete, Bruma, Van Dijk, Willems; Van Ginkel, Bazoer, Wijnaldum; Berghuis, Janssen, Promes
6.58pmPlenty of familiar names in the Poland XI tonight, with Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Piszczek, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Robert Lewandowski all starting for the home team. Ajax striker Arkadiusz Milik is also included, while Kamil Glik will win his 40th cap at centre-back. Reported Manchester United and Barcelona target Grzegorz Krychowiak, however, is only on the bench for Nawalka's side tonight.
© Getty Images
7.01pmAs for Netherlands, Watford forward Steven Berghuis will win just his second cap, while an inexperienced front three also includes Quincy Promes and Vincent Janssen, who will be looking to add to his one international goal, which came against England. Southampton's Virgil van Dijk starts at centre-back and there are also spots for exciting youngsters Riechedly Bazoer and Kenny Tete.
7.04pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Poland. I shall speak about Netherlands and their struggles a little bit later, but let's start with Poland, who at Euro 2016, will attempt to make it through the group stages of a European Championships for the first time in their history. They will fancy their chances of achieving just that.
7.07pmPoland actually finished third at both the 1974 and 1982 World Cups, but they have not been past the group stages of that particular tournament since 1986 and have failed to qualify for the last two editions. They did qualify for both Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, but failed to win a single match in either tournament and therefore bowed out in the group stages on both occasions.
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7.11pmThe White Eagles qualified for Euro 2016 after finishing second behind Germany in Group D. They won six of their 10 group matches and only lost once, which allowed them to finish three points clear of third-place Republic of Ireland, who eventually qualified through the playoffs. A certain Lewandowski struck 13 goals in Group D to make him the leading scorer in the group stages and Poland will certainly look to the Bayern Munich striker for inspiration in France. He has 34 goals in 75 caps for his nation.
7.14pmPoland have once again been drawn with Germany in the finals of Euro 2016, while Ukraine and surprise package Northern Ireland also make up Group C. Nawalka's side will open their tournament against Northern Ireland on June 12, before facing Germany on June 16 and Ukraine on June 21. They will expect to finish in the top two in that section, but Ukraine and Northern Ireland both demonstrated their credentials during qualification. Here is a snapshot of tonight's pitch from earlier today...
Laatste voorbereidingen in het stadion. #terreinknecht #polned pic.twitter.com/RufWxZKsEH
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) 1 June 2016
7.17pmPoland will take on Lithuania on Monday in their final friendly before Euro 2016 begins and they will enter this match having won their last four non-competitive matches. Finland and Serbia were both beaten in March of this year and Poland have not actually lost a friendly since March 2014 (1-0 vs. Scotland).
7.21pmAs for Netherlands, Danny Blind's side played out a 1-1 draw with Republic of Ireland in their friendly on Friday night. They have beaten England and Wales in two of their last three friendlies, but will incredibly not take part in Euro 2016 this summer after failing to qualify. Indeed, it is the first time since 1984 that Netherlands will not compete in the finals of a European Championship. Disaster!
7.24pmNetherlands won Euro 1988 and then went on to make the semi-finals in three of the next four editions. They failed to make it out of the group stages in Euro 2012, however, and will not play a part in France this summer. It is worth remembering that under Louis van Gaal's management, the Dutch finished third at the 2014 World Cup, but they have struggled for results since then.
© Getty Images
7.27pmNetherlands failed to qualify for Euro 2016 after finishing fourth in Group A behind Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey respectively. Holland actually only won four of their 10 matches and were beaten five times in the process, including three of their last four. They failed to score in defeats to Iceland and Turkey, before losing 3-2 at home to Czech Republic in their final group match.
7.30pmDanny Blind's side will travel to Austria on Saturday for another friendly, but are then not back in action until September, when they host Greece. Their qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup then gets underway with a trip to Sweden on September 9. France have also been drawn into Group A alongside Netherlands and it could be another tricky campaign for the Dutch, that is for sure.
7.33pmJust a reminder of the Poland squad that will travel to Euro 2016 later this month...
OFFICIAL #EURO2016 SQUAD
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) 31 May 2016
Poland announce their 23... pic.twitter.com/dfHEU6oacN
7.36pmI would just like to point out that it is going to be a serious challenge to spell all of these Polish names correctly. Z and Y seem to feature quite prominently and there are a lot of interesting combinations. I shall do my very best to provide the names to the letter - Pazdan is a nice easy one!
7.39pmTEAMS:
POL: Szczesny; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk; Blaszczykowski, Maczynski, Zielinski, Grosicki; Milik, Lewandowski
NED: Cillessen; Tete, Bruma, Van Dijk, Willems; Van Ginkel, Bazoer, Wijnaldum; Berghuis, Janssen, Promes
7.42pmHere we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes. Once the national anthems and pre-match handshakes have taken place, we will be ready to get the action underway. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight!
0 minKICKOFF! Netherlands kick things off in Gdansk...
2 min... Netherlands have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges, with Bazoer and Van Ginkel enjoying touches of the ball in a midfield position. Lewandowski drops deep for Poland, however, and wins a free kick following a challenge from Wijnaldum. Fast-paced opening two minutes.
4 minTo be honest, the pitch is not the best tonight. There are certain areas that have cut up and I cannot imagine that either manager is too pleased! Promes breaks down the left for Netherlands as the visitors threaten for the first time, but his cross is straight into the arms of Poland's number one.
5 minJedrzejczyk handles outside his own box and Netherlands have a free kick just outside the area...
6 min... SAVE! Berghuis goes low towards the corner, but Szczesny makes the save.
7 minCROSSBAR! The referee plays an advantage after Lewandowski is fouled outside the box and it falls to Milik, but his effort is straight against the crossbar! What a chance for the Ajax man!
9 minPlenty happening at the moment as Poland look to make use of their territorial advantage. Lewandowski skips clear of two challenges, but Van Dijk is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
11 minIt must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight and Poland are currently feeding off the noise from their supporters. Lewandowski is full of energy in the final third and continues to create space for his teammates. It has been a brilliant opening 11 minutes here.
14 minPoland are enjoying more of the ball at the moment, but Netherlands are threatening when they break with pace and purpose. A cute piece of play from Janssen almost sees Berghuis released into the Poland box, but Pazdan is on hand to make the challenge. Still 0-0 with 14 on the clock in Poland.
15 minCLOSE! A super Dutch counter ends with Promes finding Janssen inside the Poland box and the striker's effort just fizzes wide of the far post. Brilliant work from the team in blue there!
18 minPoland are causing all sorts of problems down the right at the moment as Piszczek continues to drive forward. The full-back delivers a low cross into Lewandowski, but the striker's touch is just a little loose and Bruma is across to make the challenge. What a super game of football at the moment.
20 minPromes has had a brilliant 20 minutes for Netherlands and the number 11 threatens to break clear once again, but Glik is on hand to make a fine challenge. Poland continue to enjoy more of the possession, but the visitors are such a threat when they break. Janssen's touch has been excellent.
22 minHalf-chance for Lewandowski as the Poland captain meets a corner from the right, but his header was always off target. Netherlands can build from the back as this first period continues to develop.
24 minIt is worth remembering that tonight's match is just a friendly, but it does not feel like one. The atmosphere inside the stadium is terrific and both sets of players are fully committed. Poland's latest attack sees Grosicki break down the left and Tete come across to clear behind for a corner.
26 minBazoer has really impressed me in the middle of the park for Netherlands and I am not surprised that there is a number of clubs interested in signing the 19-year-old this summer. No real chances to report in the last couple of minutes, but Netherlands are enjoying more of the possession.
29 minBoth managers will be pretty pleased with what they have seen in the opening 29 minutes. Both teams have had chances, but the clearest opportunity fell to Poland - Milik hitting the crossbar early on. Danny Blind, however, is not that happy with some of the decisions from the referee here!
29 minCLOSE! Milik sends a free kick just wide of Cillessen's post.
31 minSome areas of the pitch are very sticky indeed - someone is going to roll an ankle and someone else is going to be for the high jump when that happens! Some really dodgy areas on the field here.
33 minGOAL! Poland 0-1 Netherlands (Janssen)
34 minBreakthrough! Netherlands take the lead in the 33rd minute as Janssen heads a Berghuis cross into the back of the net from close range. Not too sure about the marking from the Polish defence!
36 minJanssen, Promes and Bazoer have all been very good for Netherlands in this first period and Danny Blind will be delighted with what he has seen thus far. Poland have been impressive in spells, but Lewandowski has been a little too selfish in the final third. Super game of football in Gdansk tonight.
38 minSAVE! Super one-handed save from Szczesny as the Poland goalkeeper keeps out a low strike from Janssen, who has been very lively in this first period. Still 1-0 Netherlands here.
40 minSAVE! Szczesny has to get down to keep out Berghuis as the Dutch come close again!
42 minPoland just cannot seem to deal with Janssen's movement at the moment as the number nine continues to cause problems in the final third. This young Dutch team are full of energy and have also been strong defensively in the opening 42 minutes of this contest. Poland need to raise their game.
45 minNetherlands have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Pazdan fells Janssen...
45 min... Willems curls his free kick over the crossbar.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Poland 0-1 Netherlands
8.33pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Netherlands leading 1-0 courtesy of a 33rd-minute header from Janssen, who has had a strong first period. Poland's best chance of the half fell to Milik inside the opening 10 minutes, but the striker hit the crossbar from close range.
8.38pmSTATS! Netherlands have just shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had 10 attempts - five of which were on target. Poland, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their eight attempts in the first period. There have been 13 fouls in total and some strong tackles, but no cards thus far here!
8.43pmBENCH WATCH! Poland boss Nawalka will surely look to introduce the likes of Linetty, Krychowiak, Salamon and Stepinski in the second period, but he will also want to see more from those currently on the pitch. On the bench for Netherlands is the likes of Memphis, Dost, Strootman and Narsingh.
46 minRESTART! Poland resume the action on home soil...
47 min... NED SUB! Van Aanholt has replaced Willems for the Dutch side.
47 minPOL SUBS! Kapustka and Cionek replace Blaszczykowski and Piszczek.
48 minThe Polish crowd will be looking for more from their team in this second period, but it is Netherlands that have started on the front foot. Tete breaks forward and attempts to deliver into the near post, but Pazdan is across to make the challenge. From the resulting corner, Wijnaldum has a header blocked.
50 minVan Dijk is another member of the Dutch side that has stuck out tonight. The Southampton centre-back has been very impressive indeed and twice produces important blocks as Poland look to threaten from a wide position. Just a reminder that both managers have six permitted subs tonight.
52 minWijnaldum breaks clear for Netherlands and there are alarm bells in the Polish defence, but the offside flag is raised. Pretty open start to the second period, but the Dutch still lead 1-0 here.
54 minThis Dutch team is more vibrant, more exciting and more talented than the one that failed to qualify for Euro 2016, that is for sure. Netherlands have always produced exciting youngsters and the current crop could go on to achieve some great things. They have been very good in Poland tonight.
55 minMATCH PIC!
© AFP
57 minThe home supporters are doing their best to raise their team, but Netherlands are the better team at the moment and have been since the second period started. We are approaching the stage of the match where both managers will be considering more changes - three have been made thus far here.
58 minCHANCE! Lewandowski meets a low cross from Grosicki as Poland come close for the first time in the second period, but the striker's effort is over the crossbar. Better from the home side!
60 minMuch better from Poland in the last few minutes as they start to force the issue in the final third, but Netherlands have been impressive at the back tonight and that remains the case as the hour passes.
60 minVan Dijk clears behind for a corner after Milik delivers another dangerous cross for Poland.
60 minGOAL! Poland 1-1 Netherlands (Jedrzejczyk)
61 minWhat a header! Poland are on terms as a bullet header from Jedrzejczyk beats Cillessen from a corner! The home supporters have gone wild and the number three goes into the crowd!
63 minBOOKINGS! Lewandowki and Wijnaldum are both booked following a clash!
65 minPoland continue to make ground in a wide position and it is Grosicki's willingness to run that is causing Netherlands all sorts of problems. Tough game for Van Aanholt at the moment here!
67 minNetherlands are preparing to make their second change of the match and it appears that Narsingh will soon join the action. Something needs to change for the Dutch as Poland continue to threaten.
67 minNED SUB! Narsingh replaces Berghuis for the away team.
68 minPOL SUB! Lewandowski is replaced by Krychowiak for Poland.
70 minLittle over 20 minutes of football remaining and you just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Netherlands started the second period on the front foot, but Poland have responded well in the last 10 minutes or so and have indeed managed to level the scores at 1-1 on home soil.
71 minNED SUB! Strootman replaces Van Ginkel for Netherlands.
73 minPossession football from Poland as the home side look to register a second goal here. No more Lewandowski on the pitch, but the home side still have a host of talented players. Neither manager would be too disappointed if this finished 1-1 because it has been a worthwhile exercise for both teams!
74 minHalf-chance for Van Dijk, but the centre-back's header is over the crossbar.
75 minNED SUB! Dost replaces Janssen for Netherlands.
76 minPoland and Netherlands have now made three changes apiece and I can see some more movement on the home side's bench. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining in tonight's friendly in Gdansk.
76 minGOAL! Poland 1-2 Netherlands (Wijnaldum)
77 minWhat a goal! Wijnaldum spins inside the Poland box and hammers his effort into the top corner! The home side's goalkeeper got nowhere near it due to the quality of the strike!
77 minPOL SUB! Peszko replaces Grosicki for Poland.
80 minPOL SUB! Jodlowiec replaces Maczynski for Poland.
82 minSAVE! Smart save from the home side's goalkeeper to keep out a curling strike from Promes, who has caused Poland problems all night with his pace and movement in the final third.
84 minYou just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as Poland continue to commit players in the final third. Netherlands have just started to drop deeper and deeper here.
86 minNetherlands are living a little dangerously here as they continue to concede free kicks inside their own half. Milik stands over the latest set piece, but fires his effort straight into the stands.
87 minHalf-chance for the home side as Peszko strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is just deflected wide of the post. Plenty of noise inside the stadium as Poland continue to press forward.
88 minPOL SUB! Milik is replaced by Stepinski for the home side.
90 minIt does not appear that we will see Memphis for Netherlands tonight, but his team are closing in on an impressive win. That said, Poland are having all of the possession in the latter stages here.
90 min+1Netherlands break away and Promes looks to feed Strootman, but Szczesny just about does enough to prevent the away side from scoring a third. We are into the first of three added minutes here!
90 min+3Netherlands have possession in the Polish half and there is not long left here.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Poland 1-2 Netherlands
9.40pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Netherlands running out 2-1 winners over Poland courtesy of Wijnaldum's strike in the 76th minute. It was a very entertaining international friendly! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
