TheNewsGuru

Tag: poland

  • Lewandowski deny Spain first Euro 2020 win

    Lewandowski deny Spain first Euro 2020 win

    Robert Lewandowski scored his first goal of Euro 2020 as Poland held Spain to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockouts.

    Poland knew that a defeat would mean they could not progress from Group E and they fell behind towards the end of the first half when Alvaro Morata’s close-range finish was given by VAR after initially being ruled out for offside.

    But Lewandowski, who had struggled to make an impact in Poland’s opening-game defeat to Slovakia, equalised early in the second half when he thumped home a header.

    Spain had the chance to retake the lead soon after with a penalty, awarded by referee Daniele Orsato after he had checked a challenge on Gerard Moreno on the pitchside monitor, but Moreno compounded to slam his effort against the post before Morata sent the follow-up wide.

    Manchester City forward Ferran Torres headed wide as Spain pushed in the closing stages, while Morata was denied from point-blank range by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny late on.

    But too often their play was predictable and lacking in urgency and the draw means the three-time European champions are still without a win at Euro 2020 after they were held to a goalless draw by Sweden in their opener.

    Spain are third in Group E with two points, with Slovakia second on three and Sweden top with four. Luis Enrique’s side play Slovakia in their final group game on Wednesday while Poland take on Sweden at the same time.

  • Europa final: English fans may avoid quarantine in Poland

    Europa final: English fans may avoid quarantine in Poland

    Poland will allow British football fans who want to support Manchester United at the upcoming 2020/2021 Europa League final match to avoid the mandatory coronavirus quarantine.

    This will be if they fulfill the condition of presenting a negative SARS-CoV-2 test.
    According to a government regulation that takes effect on Tuesday, fans with tickets to the May 26 game in Gdansk will need to present a negative test.

    But the test must not be older than 48 hours upon their arrival in Poland.

    As a general rule, travellers from non-EU countries need to quarantine in Poland for 10 days.

    But they cannot be freed from quarantine on the basis of a test conducted outside of the EU.

    EU citizens, however, can present a negative COVID-19 test conducted in their country and be freed from mandatory quarantine.

    This rule will apply for Villarreal fans, Manchester United rivals, who will support their team at the Gdansk final.

    Poland is gradually re-opening its economy as the number of coronavirus infections is declining and the vaccination campaign progresses.

    For the Europa League final, fans will be able to fill up to 25 per cent of the Gdansk stadium, which means 9,500 people will be allowed to watch the game on site.

  • Europa League final in Poland to be played before fans

    Europa League final in Poland to be played before fans

    The final of the Europa League in Gdnansk later this month can take place with up to 9,500 fans, European football ruling body UEFA said on Monday.

    UEFA said this followed agreement with Polish authorities.

    The stadium can use up to 25 per cent of its capacity for the May 26 final.

    But foreign fans will have to observe coronavirus rule for entry into Poland and restrictions when there.

    Tickets went on sale on Monday and are available until Friday.

    The semi-final second legs are this Thursday when Manchester United defend a 6-2 lead away to Roma and Arsenal attempt to overcome a 2-1 deficit at home to Villarreal.

  • Lewandowski receives state honour from Polish president

    Lewandowski receives state honour from Polish president

    Poland and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski on Monday was awarded Commander’s Cross of the Polonia Restituta Order, one of the highest state honours, by Polish President Andrzej Duda.

    World Player of the Year Lewandowski was awarded for his accomplishments in football as well as promoting Poland abroad.

    During a ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw, the Polish president called Lewandowski “a national sports hero” and “the quintessence of perfection”, in praising the footballer for his hard work.

    The Bayern Munich star underlined the role of his team-mates, coaches, family and friends, and stressed his focus on the challenges yet to come.

    “Perhaps, when I sit on the couch I will think about the trophies won …

    “But for now my ambition is big enough that I don’t want to become complacent,” said 32-year-old Lewandowski, who helped Bayern Munich to a treble of domestic league, Cup and UEFA Champions League last season.

    Lewandowski is currently leading the Bundesliga’s scoring charts with 35 goals and has recently become the second all-time goalscorer of the league, behind Gerd Mueller.

    He is within reach of Mueller’s long-standing record of 40 goals scored in one season.

    In his 10 full Bundesliga seasons, Lewandowski has collected eight championships, six with Bayern Munich and two with Borussia Dortmund where he played 2010 to 2014.

    In the Polish national team, Lewandowski played 116 games and scored 63 goals, both national records.

  • Lewandowski has no thought of retiring yet

    Lewandowski has no thought of retiring yet

    World footballer of the year, Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich FC says he is not yet turning his thoughts to retirement.

    He believes he can remain at the top level with the club for some time.

    The Polish striker told the Sport Bild magazine he was aware people now looked at his age of 32, “but quite honestly: I feel better than at 26 or 27.

    “I’m a better player now than six years ago.”

    Lewandowski was top scorer for Bayern in every competition last season as they won the treble and leads the Bundesliga scoring chart again with 32 goals.

    Scoring at a goal a game rate in the final nine matches of the season will see him break Gerd Mueller’s seemingly eternal record of 40 from 1971-72.

    How long Lewandowski can maintain this form is difficult to predict, he said, “but I definitely trust myself for years to come to hold this level – at least!”

    And a late career change to a softer league is also not something that appeals at this point in time.

    “I can well imagine to end my career with Bayern at the highest level,” he said. “But it is still too soon for that.

    “If something works well you shouldn’t end it.”

  • Poland re-introduces ban on flights from US, France, Spain, 43 other countries

    Poland re-introduces ban on flights from US, France, Spain, 43 other countries

    Poland will ban flights from 46 countries, including France and Spain, as of Sept. 2, according to a draft regulation published on Thursday.

    The ban is coming as the country grapples with a spike in coronavirus infections.

    The move follows targeted measures to reintroduce restrictions on public life in the worst affected parts of the country, as the government tries to tackle the spread of the virus without resorting to a complete lockdown.

    “Due to the threat of spreading SARS CoV-2 virus infections, it is necessary to exercise the right to introduce air traffic bans… in order to minimise the threat to public health,’’ the regulation said.

    Poland closed its borders and suspended flights in March to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

    However, it progressively loosened restrictions on public life, with shopping centres, hotels and restaurants all reopening in May.

    Polish national airline, ‘PLL LOT’ resumed international flights on July 1, almost four months after suspending them.

    Other countries affected by the ban are popular tourist destinations like Montenegro and Croatia as well as Romania, the U.S., Israel, Mexico and Brazil.

    Poland has reported 64,689 cases of the novel coronavirus and 2,010 deaths.

  • Flying Eagles to know World Cup opponents on Sunday

    Flying Eagles to know World Cup opponents on Sunday

    Nigeria’s male U-20 National team, Flying Eagles, will know their opponents at this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Poland after the draws ceremony to be held inside the Gdynia Sports Arena, Poland on Sunday.

    Already, the seven-time African champions have been slotted into Pot 2 of the draws alongside African champions Mali, as well as New Zealand, Colombia, Korea Republic and Italy.

    There will be six groups of four teams each at the 24-nation championship, with the top two teams at the end of the group phase, as well as the best four third-placed teams, advancing to the Round of 16.

    Hosts Poland, Portugal, Uruguay, France, USA and Mexico are in Pot 1, with Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Argentina, Ecuador, Ukraine and Honduras in Pot 3.

    Pot 4 has Japan, South Africa, Panama, Norway, Qatar and Tahiti.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Paul Aigbogun-tutored side finished outside the medals zone at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations that ended in Niger Republic on Sunday, following consecutive penalty shoot –out defeats to Mali and South Africa.

    The team picked the last spot available for Africa.

    NAN reports that Poland, which co-hosted the 2012 European Championship with Ukraine, will host this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in the cities of Lublin, Bielsko Biala, Tychy, Bydgoszcz, Gdynia and Lodz, from May 23 to June 15.

  • Buhari arrives in Poland ahead of COP24

    Buhari arrives in Poland ahead of COP24

    President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Krakow, Poland, ahead of the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    The conference is slated for between Dec. 2 and 4.

    Buhari’s aide on New Media, Alhaji Bashir Ahmad, confirmed this development on his tweeter handle in Abuja.

    However, a report reaching the News Agency of Nigeria indicated that President Buhari and members of his entourage, who arrived at a Military Base Balice International Airport, Krakow, on Saturday evening, were `welcomed’ by snow as temperature dropped further to -3 degrees Centigrade.

    COP24 Summit is being held at the International Conference Centre (MCK), Katowice, an industrial hub, about 100 kilometers from Krakow.

    President Buhari’s first official engagement will be a town hall meeting in Krakow on Sunday evening, where he would meet and interact with Nigerians living in Poland.

    The President will, during the Leaders’ Summit at COP24 on Monday morning, deliver a national statement, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate change by implementing the goals set out in its National Determined Contributions.

    According to the organisers, the conference is expected to finalise the rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change under the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) – the rule book for implementation.

    President Buhari’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, had on Friday in a statement, disclosed that during the Summit at COP24, Buhari would deliver a national statement highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to address climate change by implementing the goals in its National Determined Contributions.

    He said the president would also use the occasion to accentuate Nigeria’s willingness to work with international partners to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Africa and the world over.

    Adesina said the president would also highlight the need for developed nations to scale up their emission reduction activities, to limit the increase in average global temperatures to well below 2 degrees centigrade between now and 2020.

    The Leaders’ Summit is expected to adopt a ‘‘Declaration on Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia,’’ – named after the region of Poland where this year’s climate conference is taking place.

    He observed that Nigeria, as a member of the Committee of the African Heads of State on Climate Change, would continue to address the challenges occasioned by climate change.

    The committee is a group of 10 African countries that meets and takes positions concerning issues of climate change on behalf of the continent.

    “Nigeria has been at the forefront of advancing policies and initiatives aimed at addressing significant challenges occasioned by climate change such as reviving the Lake Chad, halting and reversing desertification, flooding, ocean surge and oil spillage.

    Adesina, who is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said that President Buhari would continue to champion these pressing issues at COP24 in Katowice, among others.

    He also said the president would reiterate Nigeria’s position on the need for African countries to access financial resources, especially the Green Climate Fund to draw up climate change adaptation policies and actions for implementation.

    “The Nigerian delegation will also showcase the policy measures and actions of the Federal Government at ensuring environmental sustainability and effectively combating climate change through several side events within the Nigerian pavilion.

    “While in Poland, President Buhari will hold an interactive session with the Nigerian community in that country.

    “The Nigerian leader is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki,’’ the statement added.

    Bugatti will be accompanied on the trip by governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Yahaya Bello and Abubakar Bello of Enugu, Kogi and Niger States.

    Others on his entourage include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

     

  • Buhari leaves for Poland to attend climate change conference

    Buhari leaves for Poland to attend climate change conference

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja Saturday for Katowice, Poland, to attend the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    This information is contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday.

    Adesina revealed that the event will hold between Dec. 2 and Dec. 4, 2018.

    The COP24 Summit, which will be held at the International Conference Centre (MCK) and the adjacent Spodek Arena in Katowice, is being convened under the Presidency of Poland.

    According to the organisers, the conference is expected to finalise the rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change under the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) – the rule book for implementation.

    The presidential aide stated that, during the Leaders’ Summit at COP24, President Buhari would deliver a national statement highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate change by implementing the goals set out in its National Determined Contributions.

    He said the president would also use the occasion to accentuate Nigeria’s willingness to work with international partners to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Africa and the world over.

    Adesina said the president would also highlight the need for developed nations to scale up their emission reduction activities in order to limit the increase in average global temperatures to well below 2 degrees centigrade between now and 2020.

    The Leaders’ Summit is expected to adopt a ‘‘Declaration on Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia,’’ – named after the region of Poland where this year’s climate conference is taking place.

    He said observed that Nigeria, as a member of the Committee of the African Heads of State on Climate Change – a group of 10 African countries that meets and takes positions concerning issues of climate change on behalf of the continent, would continue to address the challenges occasioned by climate change.

    “Nigeria has been at the forefront of advancing policies and initiatives aimed at addressing significant challenges occasioned by climate change such as reviving the Lake Chad, halting and reversing desertification, flooding, ocean surge and oil spillage.

    He said that President Buhari would continue to champion these pressing issues at COP24 in Katowice, among others.

    Adesina also said the president would reiterate Nigeria’s position on the need for African countries to access financial resources, especially the Green Climate Fund to draw up climate change adaptation policies and actions for implementation.


    “The Nigerian delegation will also showcase the policy measures and actions of the Federal Government at ensuring environmental sustainability and effectively combating climate change through several side events within the Nigerian pavilion.

    “While in Poland, President Buhari will hold an interactive session with the Nigerian community in that country.

    “The Nigerian leader is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki,’’ the statement added.

    President will be accompanied on the trip by governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Yahaya Bello and Abubakar Bello of Enugu, Kogi and Niger States, respectively.

    Others on his entourage include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

  • Victor Moses reacts to claims he dived against Poland

    The Super Eagles of Nigerian defeated Poland with a lone goal on Friday night in a pre-World Cup friendly, thanks to a penalty won and converted by Victor Moses.

    There has been debate going on among the fans on whether the penalty call by the referee was correct, with some suggesting that Moses took a dive to win the penalty.

    But the Chelsea winger has come out to rubbish such talks, rather, he praised the referee for a “right call”.

    Moses coolly converted the spot kick in the 61st minute after winning a soft penalty from English referee, Michael Oliver as the Nigerian took a tumble in the area after the slightest contact with defender Marcin Kaminski.

    Moses, speaking at the Mixed Zone after Friday’s game said: “For sure it was a penalty when I was fouled, the referee made the right decision. It was a good win for us.

    “Poland has many good players. They attacked especially well after conceding the goal, but we showed more character today.

    “We wanted to enjoy the game and simply win. We believe that during the World Cup we will manage to go as far as possible.”

    After the win over Poland, the Super Eagles’ next assignment is against Serbia in London on Tuesday.