sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Wojciech Szczesny's Own Goal Added To His Euros Curse

Wojciech Szczesny's Own Goal Added To His Euros Curse

Szczesny conceded an unfortunate own goal, in Poland's Euro 2020 opener, and it's not the first time the Euros have been cruel to him.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Wojciech Szczesny scored an own goal for Slovakia, as they beat Poland on Monday evening, and it added fuel to claims there's a curse against the Juventus goalkeeper.

Szczesny was somewhat unlucky to concede on own goal, the first by a keeper at a Euros, when Robert Mak's brilliant solo run ended with a shot that struck off the post, onto the Poland man and into the goal, during the 2-1 loss.

It was the third time that the former Arsenal number one has played in a European Championship match across three tournaments, and none of them have worked out well for him.

In 2012, Poland co-hosted the tournament with Ukraine and the opener saw the Poles face Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Szczesny started in goal but was at fault for Greece's opener, as he missed a cross that he came for and allowed Dimitris Salpingidis to score into an empty net.

Things got even worse as the goalie was then sent off for bringing the same striker down in the box, only to see his replacement save the penalty.

Szczesny gets his marching orders in 2012. Image: PA Images
Szczesny gets his marching orders in 2012. Image: PA Images

Poland recovered to earn a point in that game but went out at the group stage without their number one making another appearance.

At the 2016 tournament things didn't get any better for Poland's first choice. Szczesny played all 90 minutes in the side's opener against Northern Ireland in Group C.

The keeper though picked up a thigh injury during the 1-0 win and wasn't able to play in either of the remaining fixtures.

Poland drew with Germany and beat Ukraine to advance into the last 16, where they beat Switzerland, before losing on penalties to eventual winners Portugal in the quarter finals.

It doesn't get much more unlucky than this. Image: PA Images
It doesn't get much more unlucky than this. Image: PA Images

In three games so far at the Euros things haven't gone well for the 31-year-old, who has 54 caps to his name, but he has time to turn it around, unlike the previous two tournaments.

Following Poland's loss to Slovakia, they next play Spain on Saturday night, before finishing the group against Sweden a week on Wednesday.

After Monday's games in the group, Szczesny and the rest of his countrymen will be most worried about facing Alexander Isak from Sweden.

The Real Sociedad striker was on top form against Spain and wasn't far off scoring and setting up one for teammate Marcus Berg, as the two sides drew 0-0.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Euro 2020, Serie A, Juventus