The Iron Curtain has not been drawn again but, in one respect, Poland were transported back to their past.
For the first time since the 1982 World Cup, they have gone beyond the last 16 of a major tournament. They saw off Switzerland aided by a goal from Jakub Blaszczykowski, who became the first Pole to strike in back-to-back games at a finals since Zbigniew Boniek in Spain 34 years ago.
An achievement to savour was secured after an underwhelming display. Poland converted five, almost immaculate, penalties, Grzegorz Krychowiak drilling the last into the roof of the net in emphatic fashion, but only after they had spent 75 minutes on the back foot.
Switzerland have still never won a knockout game in a major tournament but they came perilously close, Lukasz Fabianski making a terrific save from Eren Derdiyok a few minutes before Granit Xhaka directed a penalty waywardly wide to hand Poland an advantage.
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Poland found the net five times in a shootout, but only three goals in open play in 390 minutes in Euro 2016. Europe's most prolific team in qualifying, they have been misers in France, a microcosm of a tournament where goals have been in short supply.
Their iron defence has only conceded once, and that required something spectacular. Xherdan Shaqiri’s goal was not merely the best against Poland, but surely the outstanding one anywhere.
There can be beauty amid mundanity, and this was a case in point, a goal out of keeping with an often drab game. A magnificent overhead kick, executed from 20 yards, flew past Fabianski. Shaqiri allied technique and athleticism with power.
This was the talent that took him to Bayern Munich and Inter Milan and an illustration of the change in ethos at Stoke City. Shaqiri has not always lived up to the nickname of "the Alpine Messi" – and who could? – but this was a goal worthy of the greatest player of his generation.
Necessity had spurred Switzerland into action when their tournament seemed destined to end in a whimper. Belatedly, they discovered a sense of ambition.
Ricardo Rodriguez had drawn a brilliant save from Fabianski. Haris Seferovic, outscored by Robert Lewandowski by a ratio of 10:1 in the Bundesliga, rattled the bar with a rasping effort. He still has not struck at Euro 2016, but he outperformed a more garlanded striker. His incessant energy made a difference.
So did his manager. Whereas Adam Nawalka was passive, Vladimir Petkovic was active. His team were transformed at half-time, his substitutions positive. Poland seemed drained of belief and fatigued as their manager was reluctant to make changes.
It was a role reversal from a first half where Poland should have scored within 25 seconds and were in the ascendant.
Initially Switzerland’s only threat stemmed from defence: The optimistic long-range shooting of left-back Rodriguez and the ability to centre-backs Fabian Schar and Johan Djourou to rise highest and head set-pieces.
But with their stoppers in the opposing box, Poland counter-attacked to score.
They may have few more popular scorers. There was certainly a sense that Blaszczykowski was not the same player after suffering a cruciate ligament injury. Borussia Dortmund loaned him to Fiorentina last season. Symbolically, Lewandowski had replaced him as Poland captain, signalling the passing of the mantle of talisman, too.
Yet the right winger has a strength of character that enables him to contribute. He was a game-changing, scoring substitute against Ukraine and had the same impact as a starter. Kamil Grosicki switched play intelligently, Arkadiusz Milik dummied and Blaszczykowski finished.
It is something Lewandowski has been unable to do yet.
He eventually recorded a first shot on target in France, 320 minutes into his tournament, yet he was muted again. It is a feat for Poland to reach the last eight with their supposed match-winner being so ineffective.
It is a historic feat. It is just a shame it was not accomplished in more style.
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