Euro 2012 Group A: Poland
GROUP A
Poland Russia Greece Czech Republic
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Poland
Road to Poland & Ukraine
Poland qualified automatically as co-hosts of Euro 2012 and judging by recent friendly results, it's a good thing they did.
Coach Franciszek Smuda has come under fire for introducing a plethora of middling players into his squad during his two-and-a-half years in charge, while at the same time falling out with several others, including popular Fiorentina goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Fixtures
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Poland Kit 1
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Poland Kit 2
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Poland v Greece 8 June; Warsaw
Poland v Russia 12 June; Warsaw
Poland v Czech Republic 16 June; Wroclaw
Analysis
The lowest-ranked team in the tournament, the Orla Bialego (White Eagles) seem to be in a constant state of flux. Often operating two different squads - one domestic-based and the other featuring Poland's European-based stars - Smuda seems undecided on who his best players are.
He has already called for calm from fans ahead of the tournament, not least because Poland have been drawn in a relatively weak group featuring Greece, neighbours Russia and the Czech Republic. That may be their saving grace and with home support on their side, Poland will be aiming to confound the critics and claim an unexpected quarter-final place.
Poland's cause has not been helped by Smuda's policy of integrating players of Polish ancestry into the squad, which has not done down well with the press, public and some members of his squad. French-born Damien Perquis and Ludovic Obraniak do not speak Polish and they are joined by a trio of German-raised Polish-speaking Poles: Sebastian Boenisch, Eugen Polanski and Adam Matuszczyk.
Key player: Jakub Blaszczykowski
Current captain of the side, the player popularly known as 'Kuba' was an integral member of German club Borussia Dortmund's championship winning squad last season.
Primarily employed as winger, Blaszczykowski is known for his penetrative runs and dribbling skills, whilst five years in the Bundesliga have forged a battle-hardened leader no doubt desperate to lead his country to success in front of its home fans.
One to watch: Robert Lewandowski
Like Blaszczykowski, the 23-year-old Lewandowski plays his club football at German outfit Borussia Dortmund. A mainstay for the national team since 2008, Lewandowski scored on his international debut and has since established himself as Poland's first-choice striker.
Coach: Franciszek Smuda
Since taking over from sacked Dutchman Leo Beenhakker in 2009, Smuda has been criticised by sections of the Polish press for the high turnover of players in his squad. He has widespread domestic experience coaching in Poland but for all his many years in the game, this will be the 63-year-old's first major tournament as head coach of a national team.
Record
1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 Did not qualify, 2008 Group stage
FIFA Ranking
How they qualified for Euro 2012
Joint hosts along with Ukraine
On the sidelines
Poland legend Wlodzimierz Lubanski is Poland's highest goalscorer with 48 goals.
Soccerphile says
Poland's previous European record is nothing short of abysmal, but their saving grace could be the fact they've been drawn in a relatively weak group. They may be the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, but home-ground advantage might be enough to see the underdogs sneak into the quarter-finals, particularly if big names Błaszczykowski, Lewandowski and young Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny impress.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Grzegorz Sandomierski (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal), Przemyslaw Tyton (PSV Eindhoven)
Defenders: Sebastian Boenisch (Werder Breman), Marcin Kaminski (Lech Poznan), Damien Perquis (Sochaux), Lukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund), Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht), Jakub Wawrzyniak (Legia Warsaw), Grzegorz Wojtkowiak (Lech Poznan)
Midfielders: Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund), Dariusz Dudka (Auxerre), Kamil Grosicki (Sivasspor), Adam Matuszczyk (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Adrian Mierzejewski (Trabzonspor), Rafal Murawski (Lech Poznan), Ludovic Obraniak (Bordeaux), Eugen Polanski (FSV Mainz), Maciej Rybus (Terek Grozny), Rafal Wolski (Legia Warsaw)
Forwards: Pawel Brozek (Celtic), Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund), Artur Sobiech (Hannover 96)
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