Poland World Cup 2006 Team Profile

World Cup Match Tickets

Mark McQuinn reports.

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Currently ranked 26th by FIFA, Poland will do well to resurrect the glory years of the 1970s and early 1980s in Germany. The bialo-czerwoni (white and reds) possess a strong international football CV, having come third at the World Cup Finals in 1974 and 1982 and won the gold medal at the Olympics in 1972 and the silver in 1970 and 1992. However, memories of the golden era are fading and Poland have nobody of the calibre of Lato, Boniek, Deyna, Lubanski or Szarmach in the current squad. The past successes are cherished by Polish fans and players, but at times weigh somewhat heavily on the current squad, who have much to live up to. Dudek, the Liverpool goalkeeper, has stressed the need for the team that plays in Germany to "write a new piece of history". Opinions are divided over Poland's destiny in the Finals but they clearly have a fair chance of progressing from the group stage, since they meet teams of similar or lesser rank, in Germany (22) Costa Rica (25) and Ecuador (38). Poland convincingly defeated Ecuador 3-0 in a friendly in Barcelona in November 2005, though they have never beaten Germany. Celtic striker, Maciej 'Magic' Zurawski encapsulates the views of most in stating that a couple of wins in the group stage to ensure qualification would make people happy and "after that, anything else will be a bonus."

Zurawski spearheads a potent Polish attack that rattled in 27 goals in ten qualifying games. However, worries over the goalkeeping position, since Dudek has been a reserve at Liverpool for much of the season and the other main contender, Boruc of Celtic, gifted the USA their winner in a recent friendly, remain.

The back four is solid but prone to lapses of concentration and 1-0 defeats in the build-up matches to the Finals, against Lithuania, as well as the USA, have dampened expectations and left coach Pawel Janas bemoaning the fact that "the majority are out of form" and after this game, "I am just left with headaches." These are over-statements for sure and with all the foreign-based players on board, which was not the case against either the USA or Lithuania, Poland have the ability to make it through the group stage.

Background Information

An ancient nation, Poland's history has been so turbulent that Norman Davies, in a comprehensive two-volume overview, uses the term 'God's Playground' to describe the country. Before being partitioned from 1773-1795 by Russia, Prussia and Austria, the United Republic of Poland-Lithuania had been a major and progressive power militarily, politically and culturally.

Poland regained independence in 1918 at the end of the First World War and the Polish Football Association was founded one year later. Poland recorded their first victory in their third international, 2-1 against Sweden in 1921. The country's one appearance in the World Cup Finals before 1974 lasted only one match - but it was a game that still ranks as one of the most memorable in the whole history of the tournament. It was the 1938 Finals in France and Poland drew Brazil in a first round knockout game. Poland recovered from being 3-1 down at half-time to finish level at 4-4 after 90 minutes. Extra-time saw three more goals, with Poland going out 6-5. Ernest Willimowski scored four for Poland and not that surprisingly remains the only player to have scored four times in one match during the World Cup finals and still ended up on the losing side. Another strange fact for saddos/stattos concerning the match is that Leonidas of Brazil scored a 'bare-foot' goal after losing his boot in the heavy rain. The goal would have been disallowed under current rules.

Poland became a Soviet satellite state following the Second World War and did not make the World Cup Finals again until 1974, when a talented team beat Argentina, Italy and Haiti in the first group stage to come top and just missed out on making the final after a 1-0 defeat to West Germany in the second group stage. The potency of Poland's forward line at the time is underlined by the fact that Lato was the top scorer in the tournament with seven and Szarmach joint second with five. Poland bowed out by taking the scalp of Brazil (1-0) to come third.

Four years later in Argentina, Poland topped Group B ahead of West Germany, Tunisia and Mexico, which gained them the dubious reward of being placed in a second round group with Argentina, Brazil and Peru. Exit ensued, as the giants of Latin American football proved too strong; Poland's scant consolation being a 1-0 victory over Peru.

The 1982 Finals in Spain, two years after the formation of the famous independent trade union, Solidarity had led to the eyes of the world focusing on the country, saw another impressive performance from Poland. With Boniek the star, Lato and Szarmach still threats and current coach Pawel Janas an ever-present, Poland topped Group A in both the first round (ahead of Italy, Cameroon and Peru) and the second round (the Soviet Union and Belgium being below them). With Boniek sidelined, Poland went down 2-0 to Italy in the semi-final, before recovering from being a goal down to defeat France 3-2 in the third and fourth place play-off match.

Mexico 1986 was a disappointment for a Poland team still orchestrated by the excellent Boniek, when a bright start in Group F (a draw with Morocco and a win over Portugal) came to nothing, after a 3-0 defeat in their last match against a Gary Lineker-inspired England, meant a third-place finish and elimination; a hat-trick from Leicester's finest inside 35 minutes put the match beyond saving for Poland.

It was to be sixteen years before Poland made the finals again; an unmemorable return in Korea/Japan 2002. The pre-eminence of Solidarity during the 1990s had ended following the parliamentary elections in 2001, when the party did not get a single member elected to the lower house, and with the country still adjusting to the new era of liberal democracy and the 'shock therapy' reform programme, aimed at economic liberalization, following the ending of Communist rule, Poland finished bottom of Group D. Defeats by South Korea and Portugal meant that the swan-song, a 3-1 win over the USA, mattered little and Poland returned home chastened.

Poland joined the EU in 2004 and as the World Cup Finals of 2006 approach, the country is playing an increasingly active role in major European organizations. However, the Polish unemployment rate is the highest in the EU and the brain drain is an increasing problem. A huge number of Poles will cheer the team on from outside the country in cities like London, where they are currently working, as job opportunities are limited at home. The official figure for the number of Poles who have come to Britain alone to work since EU accession in 2004 is half a million, but this is known to be an underestimate, as it does not include the unregistered and unemployed. Success in Germany would be a welcome boost for the people and the country's profile, though most Polish commentators are cautious about the chances of the team.

Road to Germany - Overview

Aside from the two defeats to England, Poland's progress to Germany was smooth. In the European qualifying groups section, only the Czech Republic, Portugal and Sweden outdid Poland's 27 goal tally. Particularly impressive was the fact that Poland scored three times in away matches on four occasions (winning 3-1 in Austria, 3-0 in Northern Ireland, 3-2 in Wales and 3-0 in Azerbaijan). Poland started the campaign with a comprehensive win over Northern Ireland in Belfast on September 4th 2004. Goals from Zurawski, Wlodarczyk and Krzynowek provided early notice that Poland possessed fire-power, though Lawrie Sanchez , the opposition manager, felt the Polish defence had been troubled by his team and lamented the poor finishing that had plagued Northern Ireland for many matches. Zurawski was again on target against England four days later but with Defoe and Gerard in inspired form, England merited their 2-1 win. Poland again showed they were a threat in attack, with Terry clearing one off the line from Krzynowek, but lacked composure after England re-took the lead in the second half.

However, Poland bounced back big-time in their next two matches, winning well in Austria and Wales. The bandwagon kept on rolling, as Poland returned to home soil for an 8-0 stroll against Azerbaijan on March 26th 2005, followed by a much more stringent work-out for the nerves four days later, when it took until the last few minutes to break down a gutsy Northern Ireland defence. The dangerous Zurawski was the match-winner, scoring three minutes from time, after Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maik Taylor had put on a wonderful show of defiance. Subsequent victories over Azerbaijan in Baku, and then Austria and Wales at home meant that Poland had reeled off seven straight wins in the group. More importantly, it took some of the sting out of the final match, against England.

Given the impressive points tally and goal difference Poland had amassed, it was unlikely that they would not qualify as one of the two best runner-up, even if they did lose to England. In fact, another 2-1 defeat for Poland was sufficient for them to firm-up their plans for a summer trip across the border to Germany. Frankowski's seventh goal of the qualifying campaign put Poland level at the end of the first half, after Owen had given England the lead a minute beforehand. England were the better team in the second half, with Boruc impressive in goal for Poland. Lampard's winner for England ten minutes from time settled the battle for first and second places in the group in England's favour but both teams were left happy, as Poland had made it to Germany as one of the two best runners up.

Road to Germany Results

Qualifying Group 4
04 September 2004 Northern Ireland 0 Poland 3
08 September 2004 Poland 1 England 2
09 October 2004 Austria 1 Poland 3
13 October 2004 Wales 2 Poland 3
26 March 2005 Poland 8 Azerbaijan 0
30 March 2005 Poland 1 Northern Ireland 0
04 June 2005 Azerbaijan 0 Poland 3
03 September 2005 Poland 3 Austria 2
07 September 2005 Poland 1 Wales 0
12 October 2005 England 2 Poland 1

Final Group Table

Germany build-up - Main Results and Fixtures

13 November 2005 Poland 3 Ecuador 0 (in Barcelona)
16 November 2005 Poland 3 Estonia 1 (in Swietokrzyski)
01 March 2006 Poland 0 USA 1 (in Kaiserslautern)
28 March 2006 Saudi Arabia 1 Poland 2 (in Riyadh)
02 May 2006 Poland 0 Lithuania 1 (in Belchatov)
14 May 2006 Poland v Faroe Islands (in Wronki)
30 May 2006 Poland v Columbia (in Chorzow)
02 June 2006 Poland v Croatia (in Barsinghausen, Germany)

Star Players

The 30 year old Celtic striker, Zurawski has impressed in the Scottish Premier League and the World Cup qualifying campaign. Nicknamed 'Magic' by the Celtic fans, a testament to the way he is regarded but also to the difficulty the green half of Glasgow has in pronouncing his first name (Maciej), Zurawski formed a formidable partnership with Wolves striker Tomasz Frankowski during the World Cup qualifying campaign, when both scored seven goals. Zurawski started slowly with Celtic this season and was taken off in his first four goalless matches before making only the bench against Rangers. Zurawski's season then picked up with a vengance as he is netted in his next four encounters; two internationals sandwiched between a couple of domestic matches. Zurawski was then injured for two months after tearing a hamstring against England but returned in good form and averaged around a goal-a-game to the end of the season, including a classy winner against Rangers at Ibrox. Described by no less than Zibi Boniek as "a complete player" and "a classic late developer", Zurawski is likely to make the most of any chances he gets in front of goal. He is strong, aggressive and never afraid to pull the trigger.

Others to watch are Zurawski's strike partner, Tomasz 'Franek' Frankowski, who signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers towards the end of the 2005-2006 season from Spanish side, Elche. He does not possess the all-round game of Zurawski but is a sharp finisher. Southampton's six foot three forward Grzegorz Rasiak is also in contention for a striking berth and seems to be liked by Janas, though he is much less admired by the Polish fans, who have given him stick in recent matches. Miroslaw Szymkoviak of Trabzonspor in Turkey is an intelligent midfield player and one of the best passers in the Polish team. He is capable of opening teams up and likely to work well with Zurawski and Frankowski, since they all played together for Wisla Krakow. Euzebiusz 'Ebi' Smolarek has scored regularly in the Bundesliga this season for Borussia Dortmund and is a versatile player who can play in midfield or up front, as well as on the wing or in a central position. He is nicknamed 'the Hash bomber' after testing positive for marijuana when playing in Holland for Feyenoord.

A player of technical ability and a good finisher, Smolarek may not make the starting eleven but will be a big threat if he comes on from the bench. Finally the two main goalkeeping options are well-known to British fans. Pawel Janas is believed to still slightly favour Jerzy Dudek of Liverpool, despite his lack of first team action over the season. The younger Artur Boruc played well in the qualifying group matches and has generally impressed for Celtic. At six feet four inches tall he has an intimidating presence but looked shaky against the USA in the warm-up match on 1st March and did not get a ringing endorsement from Janas after his mistake led to the USA's winner. "He has to do more than say he's sorry" was the less than conciliatory comment from the coach after the match.

Coach

Officially appointed just before Christmas 2002 , Pawel Janas' first game as coach ended in a 0-0 draw with Croatia on 12 February 2003. Janas has a good pedigree as a player and had more than served his apprenticeship as a coach before getting the national team job. After leaving Wlokniarz Pabianiac in 1973, Janas played for Widew Lodz and then had two spells at Legia Warsaw with a four year stint in France at Auxerre sandwiched in between. He won 53 caps as player for Poland, from 1976 to 1984 and played in every match of the successful 1982 campaign, when Poland finished third. Janas has coached the Polish Youth and Olympic squads, at Assistant and Head levels and coached Legia from 1994 to 1996, during which time the team did the double twice , won the Polish Supercup and reached the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions Cup.

A decent track record as a player and a coach a club level is one thing but at international level it is, of course, a different story, and Janas has endured the criticism that goes with the territory. Poland did not make the finals of the European Championships in 2004, losing out to Sweden and Latvia, but shrewd tactics were a major factor in a subsequent string of wins, including notable victories over Italy, Serbia-Montenegro and Slovenia. The two defeats against England notwithstanding, Janas gained plaudits during the qualifying group stage for Germany. Poland rattled in 10 more goals than England when qualifying and kept the goals against column to single figures. However, as always, opinions change rapidly in football, and following two defeats in the run-up to the finals in Germany, both 1-0 to the US and to Lithuania, dissenting voices are being raised about the ability of Janas. Pundits and fans are particularly concerned about the fact that the goalkeeping position is not settled. Qualification for the second round is needed for job security reasons alone.

Fact File

Poland Football Association

Founded - 1919
Affiliated to FIFA - 1923
Contact details -
Miodowa 1
PL-00-080 WARSZAWA
Tel - +48 22 5512 200
Fax - +48 22 5512 240
Email - pzpn[at]pzpn.pl
URL - www.pzpn.pl

First international match
28 May 1922 Poland 0 Hungary 1
Record victory -
04 September 1963 Poland 9 Norway 0
Record defeat -
26 July 1948 Denmark 8 Poland 0

World Cup Record

Qualified for the Finals in -
1938 - lost in the First Round knockout stage
1974 - came third
1978 - failed to qualify from the Second Round group stage
1982 - came third
1986 - failed to qualify from the First Round group stage
2002 - failed to qualify from the First Round group stage

Major Honours

World Cup -

3rd Place 1982 (Beat France 3-2 to win 3rd/4th place Play-Off)
3rd Place 1974 (Beat Brazil 1-0 to win the 3rd/4th place Play-Off )
Olympics -
Gold Medal 1972
Silver Medal 1992
Silver Medal 1970

World Cup Squad

Bet on the World Cup

Goalkeepers Artur Boruc (Celtic, Scotland), Tomasz Kuszczak (West Bromwich Albion, England), Lukasz Fabianski (Legia Warsaw)
Defenders Jacek Bak (Al Rayan, Qatar), Mariusz Jop (FK Moscow, Russia), Michal Zewlakow (Anderlecht, Belgium), Marcin Baszczynski (Wisla Krakow), Seweryn Gancarczyk (Metallist Charkow, Ukraine), Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Dariusz Dudka (Wisla Krakow)
Midfielders Jacek Krzynowek (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Miroslaw Szymkowiak (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Radoslaw Sobolewski (Wisla Krakow), Euzebiusz Smolarek (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Kamil Kosowski (Southampton, England), Arkadiusz Radomski (Austria Vienna, Austria), Sebastian Mila (Austria Vienna, Austria), Damian Gorawski (FK Moscow, Russia), Piotr Giza (Cracovia).
Forwards Maciej Zurawski (Celtic, Scotland), Grzegorz Rasiak (Southampton, England), Pawel Brozek (Wisla Krakow), Ireneusz Jelen (Wisla Plock)

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