Poland manager says Lewandowski wants to return to national team
WARSAW - Robert Lewandowski wants to play for his country again, Poland manager Jan Urban said on Tuesday, after the Barcelona striker quit the national team amid a row over the previous coach's decision to replace him as captain.
Urban was named in July to replace Michal Probierz, who resigned in June amid the spat over his decision to take the captain's armband away from Poland's all-time top scorer and hand it to Inter Milan's Piotr Zielinski.
Poland sit third in their World Cup qualifying group behind Finland and the Netherlands and Lewandowski is widely seen as vital to their hopes of reaching next year's tournament.
"I spoke with Robert Lewandowski by phone and asked if he wanted to come back," Urban told private broadcaster RMF FM. "He said yes. So we've taken a step forward."
Asked whether Lewandowski would become captain again, Urban said discussions on the topic were ongoing.
"I wouldn't just like to talk to Robert, but also to those involved - Piotr Zielinski and the players on the team council. The decision will be mine, but I'd like to listen to the players and find out what they think."
Poland's next World Cup qualifier is against the Netherlands away on September 4 before they host Finland three days later.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Luxury items seized in $3b money laundering case handed over to Deloitte for liquidation
Singapore NEL, Sengkang LRT resume service after hours-long power fault; Punggol LRT being restored
Singapore Live: Services on Punggol LRT being progressively restored
Singapore Plan to base Singapore's F-15 fighter jets in Guam cancelled
Singapore Hyflux investigator 'took advantage' of Olivia Lum's inability to recall events: Davinder Singh
Singapore Man who stabbed son-in-law to death at Boon Tat Street in 2017 dies, aged 80
Singapore Scoot to launch flights to Chiang Rai, Okinawa, Tokyo-Haneda, boost frequency to other places
Singapore Off-duty SCDF officer dies after accident in Punggol; 15-year-old pillion rider taken to hospital
Lewandowski, 36, has scored 85 goals in 158 appearances for Poland. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
26 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Haaland double as Man City start with statement win over Wolves
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox WOLVERHAMPTON, England - Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City began their Premier League campaign with a crushing 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. New signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki netted debut goals for Pep Guardiola's revamped team in what they hope will be their first step towards improving on last season's disappointing third-place finish. Haaland, who has scored in all four season-opening games during his spell in England's top flight, struck in the 34th minute when Reijnders chipped a ball through to Rico Lewis who sent in a low cross for the Norwegian to tap home. Reijnders scored three minutes later and Haaland completed his brace in the 61st minute when Oscar Bobb pulled the ball back for him to fire a low drive past Jose Sa. Cherki completed the rout after 81 minutes to ice an emphatic start to the season for City, who won the title four years in a row from 2021-24. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Sailing–Australia lead Germany SailGP, NZ stay ahead overall
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Australia's Bonds Flying Roos ended the opening day of the inaugural Germany Sail Grand Prix with an eight-point lead over New Zealand thanks to an impressive late charge on Saturday. Australia shrugged off a start-line penalty in the second race of the day, as Tom Slingsby's crew clawed back to finish third before out-duelling Spain to win race three and coming second to New Zealand in the day's fourth and last race. Australia's tally of 32 points put them ahead of Peter Burling's New Zealand, who won race four. The Kiwis ended the day on 24 points, protecting their overall lead in the championship standings. Quentin Delapierre's France finished third, level with New Zealand on 24 points, after being cleared to compete following overnight repairs to a damaged starboard rudder. Rockwool Racing Denmark broke SailGP's racing and overall F50 speed record during the third race, as they nailed the start and accelerated to a massive 103.93 km/h. Germany (Deutsche Bank) won the opening race to the delight of the Sassnitz crowd, a bright start for the team who began the weekend 11th overall on zero points. Britain's Emirates GBR won race two and finished sixth on 19 points. Their hopes of a strong opening day were dashed after a collision with United States in the fourth race which left their F50 with a hole and tore away the U.S. boat's port bow. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore SPLRT disruption: 28km of cables to be tested during off-service hours; works to end by Aug 23 Singapore First-half GDP boost likely temporary; Republic must stay relevant amid challenges: Chan Chun Sing Life Six-figure sales each durian season: Why S'pore durian sellers are now live selling on TikTok Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA Asia Australian universities slash staff, courses as rising wages and foreign student curbs bite Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want No one was injured in the incident and the American team will be docked 12 event points. Following their victory in Portsmouth, England last month, New Zealand will bid for a second successive SailGP win on Sunday. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Australia fight back to stun South Africa at Ellis Park
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox JOHANNESBURG - Australia rallied from 22-0 down as captain Harry Wilson scored two tries in a stunning 38-22 bonus-point victory over South Africa in their Rugby Championship opener on Saturday, the Wallabies' first victory at Ellis Park since 1963. South Africa raced into a commanding lead inside the first quarter through tries by wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, centre Andre Esterhuizen and number eight Siya Kolisi, but their Achilles heel this season has been the breakdown and it was there that Australia began to take control. The Springboks led 22-5 at halftime but Australia came alive in the second period and were excellent in soaking up pressure and hitting the world champions with fast breaks as they won on South African soil for the first time in 14 years. Winger Dylan Pietsch, centre Joseph Suaalii, winger Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright also crossed for the visitors in one of Australia's greatest test wins. REUTERS
