Zurawski gives relaxed Poles narrow win over Albanians

An early goal by Maciej Zurawski gave Euro 2008 finalists Poland a 1-0 win over Albania here on Tuesday.

The former Celtic striker struck in the third minute as the Poles put in a more impressive display than they had done on Monday in a 1-1 draw with Macedonia, albeit with a second string side.

Poland's veteran Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker also handed a debut to Brazilian-born naturalised Pole Roger Guerreiro, though, the Legia Warsaw marksman failed to get off the mark.

This match was more for Beenhakker to evaluate his ideal starting XI for the Euro 2008 opener against old foes Germany in the Austrian town of Klagenfurt on June 8.

The Poles were certainly more relaxed against the Albanians than the Macedonians and tried out different formations, especially in defence, though, they will have been alarmed that defender Michal Zewlakow had to go off in the ninth minute with a thigh injury, which places in doubt his being named in the final squad of 23 on Wednesday.

Beenhakker has one more match to refine his tactics ahead of the German clash as the Poles face Denmark on Sunday in the southern Polish town of Chorzow.

Aside from the Germans, Poland, who are making their first appearance in the European football showpiece, face co-hosts Austria and Croatia.