SI.com · Jun 25, 2016
Poland's penalty preparations evident in Switzerland win
SAINT-ETIENNE, France (AP) Poland spent time preparing for a penalty shootout - and it showed.
Pinned back in its own half for long spells by Switzerland as fatigue appeared to take its toll in extra time, Poland focused on the defensive virtues that have served it so well at the European Championship.
The strategy paid off, and Poland reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship for the first time, after it converted all its kicks from the penalty spot to beat Switzerland 5-4 in the shootout.
Following a 1-1 draw Saturday that Switzerland had dominated for long periods, Grzegorz Krychowiak stepped up to slot home the winning penalty into the top left corner of the Swiss net.