Friday November 17, 2023. The start of the Euro Espoirs 2025 qualifiers match between Poland and Israel, played in Lodz, is given…But the players from the two selections do not start playing. All, without exception, remain static on the pitch – most with their hands behind their backs, their gaze down – and decide not to play the first minute of the match in order to pay tribute to the victims of the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7.

This initiative would have followed UEFA’s refusal to observe a minute of silence before the start of the match. For the moment, the governing body of European football has not indicated why it had not authorized this moment of contemplation desired by the two delegations to take place.

After sixty seconds of tribute, the match was definitely on. And it was Poland who finally won (2-1), scoring two goals in the second half. Israel reduced the score in added time. Thanks to this victory, the Poles continue their flawless performance and consolidate their first place in Group D of the qualifiers.

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