Football
Associated Press 8y

Jakub Blaszczykowski puts Poland past Serbia in friendly

Poland began their preparations for this summer's European Championship with a 1-0 win over Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday.

Jakub Blaszczykowski picked up a poor Serbian 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 co-hosts Poland, who had substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to thank for the win.

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 Milan forward, before pushing a header by Slobodan Rajkovic onto the crossbar late in the match in Poznan.

Elsewhere, Inter Milan teammates Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic scored in the first half as Croatia won 2-0 at home to 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 will kick off the Euros against hosts France, edged Lithuania 1-0 with a goal by Nicolae Stanciu in the 65th.

Slovenia beat Macedonia 1-0 thanks to Roman Bezjak's second-half goal, while Gibraltar and Liechtenstein played to a goalless draw.

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