Poland edge Serbia friendly, Croatia see off Israel

PARIS: Jakub Blaszczykowski grabbed the only goal as Poland displayed their Euro 2016 credentials with a 1-0 friendly win over Serbia on Wednesday, while Croatia beat Israel 2-0. The Poles beat world champions Germany during an impressive qualifying campaign to help book their ticket to France, and they came through a tough test against a strong Serbia outfit in Poznan. The visitors started well enough and looked solid with the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and Aleksandar Kolarov at the back, but their failure to clear a low cross in the 28th minute gifted Poland the breakthrough. The ball dropped perfectly for Blaszczykowski, who cut across his right-footed volley to send the ball spinning into the corner past Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic. Blaszczykowski has struggled to break into the Fiorentina starting team since joining on loan from Borussia Dortmund last summer, and a first goal for club or country since January could do wonders for his confidence. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who top scored in Euro 2016 qualifying with 13 goals in 10 games, failed to hit the net for the first time in seven internationals and was withdrawn in the second half for Lukasz Teodorczyk. Poland will again face Germany in the Euro 2016 group stages on June 16 at the Stade de France in Paris, while they will also take on neighbours Ukraine and Northern Ireland in Group C. Croatia made it four wins in a row since Ante Cacic took over as manager by easing past Israel in Osijek. The hosts forged ahead in only the fourth minute when Inter Milan midfielder Ivan Perisic showed excellent technique to lash in a volley from club teammate Marcelo Brozovic’s cross. Brozovic, 23, turned goalscorer half an hour later, tapping home from close range after Mario Mandzukic’s shot had bounced off the post. That was a fourth international goal for the winger, who is on loan at Inter from Dinamo Zagreb, and he looks set to play a key part for Croatia at this summer’s Euros. With the result all but decided by half-time, former Lokomotiv Zagreb coach Cacic took the opportunity to give six of his substitutes a run-out, including Barcelona teenager Alen Halilovic, who has impressed on loan at Sporting Gijon this season to stake a late claim for selection. The victory continues a good run of form for the Croatians, who are part of a tricky Group D for Euro 2016 alongside defending champions Spain, Czech Republic and Turkey. Romania, who will take on hosts France in the group stages, scraped past Lithuania 1-0 in Giurgiu. The Romanians, who finished top of their qualifying group, are now unbeaten in 16 matches. Steaua Bucharest midfielder Nicolae Stanciu came off the bench at half-time to make his international debut, before drilling in from long range with 25 minutes left to light up an otherwise drab match and send a message to coach Anghel Iordanescu.--AFP