UEFA EURO 2016

Xhaka miss sends Poland into quarterfinals

Poland claimed the first Euro 2016 quarter-final place yesterday by beating Switzerland 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after Arsenal-bound Granit Xhaka blasted his spot-kick wide, reports AFP.
Jakob Blaszczykowski proved again he has the midas touch for Poland as the Borussia Dortmund winger gave his side a first-half lead in the last-16 clash.
Xherdan Shaqiri's spectacular second-half bicycle kick levelled for Switzerland and with the scores 1-1 after extra time, the clash at Saint-Etienne's Stade Geoffrey Guichard went into penalties.
Xhaka, who will join the Gunners after the European Championship finals, sent Switzerland's second penalty wide while Poland nailed all five kicks.
Blaszczykowski, nicknamed 'Kuba', then drilled home Poland's fourth shot and his nation was sent into delirium when Grzegorz Krychowiak nailed the crucial fifth kick.
Poland have not reached the quarter-final of a major tournament since the 1982 World Cup.
And the result meant Poland preserved their record of never having lost in 18 games when Blaszczykowski has scored.
"Let's hope it continues until the final," the scorer said.
"It was the most difficult match so far. The Swiss made life hard for us," said Blaszczykowski, who spent last season on loan at Fiorentina.
"We dragged it out of their hands.
"I'm delighted, it was a historic moment for us, because we are in the top eight in Europe."
The Poles will now play Portugal or Croatia in the quarter-finals in Marseille on Thursday.
Shaqiri said Xhaka will bounce back after his crushing disappointment. "I think Granit is very professional and he can cope with it," said man-of-the-match Shaqiri.
"He's disappointed, but that's football and mistakes can happen."
It was a historic occasion for both sides as neither had previously reached the knockout stages of a Euro finals.
Despite his success in converting in the penalty shootout, Robert Lewandowski, the top scorer in qualifying with 13 goals, remains without a regular goal in France.

UEFA EURO 2016

Xhaka miss sends Poland into quarterfinals

Poland claimed the first Euro 2016 quarter-final place yesterday by beating Switzerland 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after Arsenal-bound Granit Xhaka blasted his spot-kick wide, reports AFP. Jakob Blaszczykowski proved again he has the midas touch for Poland as the Borussia Dortmund winger gave his side a first-half lead in the last-16 clash. Xherdan Shaqiris spectacular second-half bicycle kick levelled for Switzerland and with the scores 1-1 after extra time, the clash at Saint-Etiennes Stade Geoffrey Guichard went into penalties. Xhaka, who will join the Gunners after the European Championship finals, sent Switzerlands second penalty wide while Poland nailed all five kicks. Blaszczykowski, nicknamed Kuba, then drilled home Polands fourth shot and his nation was sent into delirium when Grzegorz Krychowiak nailed the crucial fifth kick. Poland have not reached the quarter-final of a major tournament since the 1982 World Cup. And the result meant Poland preserved their record of never having lost in 18 games when Blaszczykowski has scored. Lets hope it continues until the final, the scorer said. It was the most difficult match so far. The Swiss made life hard for us, said Blaszczykowski, who spent last season on loan at Fiorentina. We dragged it out of their hands. Im delighted, it was a historic moment for us, because we are in the top eight in Europe. The Poles will now play Portugal or Croatia in the quarter-finals in Marseille on Thursday. Shaqiri said Xhaka will bounce back after his crushing disappointment. I think Granit is very professional and he can cope with it, said man-of-the-match Shaqiri. Hes disappointed, but thats football and mistakes can happen. It was a historic occasion for both sides as neither had previously reached the knockout stages of a Euro finals. Despite his success in converting in the penalty shootout, Robert Lewandowski, the top scorer in qualifying with 13 goals, remains without a regular goal in France.