Poles halt Russia’s advance

Faith, hope, Smuda. That was the headline in a Polish tabloid newspaper ahead of last night’s passionate clash between Poland and Russia, the words featuring atop a picture of national coach Franciszek Smuda charging on horseback, sabre in hand and wearing a 1920s Polish army uniform.

And after a thunderous 1-1 draw, the Poles have all the faith and hope they need.

The headline was a reference to an old army motto of “Faith, Hope, Motherland” enshrined in Polish history after a famous victory over the Bolsheviks that year became known as “The Miracle on the Vistula”.