Poland

Along with the Ukraine, Poland are the co-hosts of the 2012 European Championships. Therefore, no qualification was required for the Poles, something of a fortuitous event when you consider that they are lowest ranked FIFA side in the competition. Poland currently find themselves down in 65th position, a whooping 39 places below the nearest qualifying nation. Admittedly though, they are one place up on China, but two behind Sierra Leone. However, hosting major football tournaments is an effective way of assuring ones place in the limelight of a summer’s sporting event and the hosts are always inspired to greater things with the countries support behind them. Which is also lucky for Poland as in their only appearance at the Euros in 2008 they lost two games and drew 1-1 with failing co-hosts Austria. Safe to say, we do not expect anything too special from Poland in this year’s tournament, but stranger things have happened in the European Championships with both Denmark and Greece shocking Europe with victorious campaigns. Franciszek Smuda is the man in charge of the Polish national team. He has spent the majority of his time playing and coaching in Poland with a brief stint as a player in America representing the likes of the Los Angeles Aztecs and San Jose Earthquakes. He has been in charge since 2009 and has seen differing results in the years building up to the Euros. Whilst others have been busy qualifying Poland played a total of 22 friendlies against an array of teams. In 22 matches The White Eagles have won 8, drawn 9 and lost 5. This includes draws to Ukraine, Greece, Germany and Portugal, but losses to France and Italy. They have not beaten another team who has qualified but a 1-0 victory against Argentina shows some promise. Probably the most recognisable Polish player to British fans is Wojciech Szczesny. The Arsenal shot stopper has been in fine form for the London club, keeping 18 clean sheets this season. Still only 22 the Poles will need him to be at his best to give the nation a chance of progressing in the tournament. As well as Szczesny the Borussia Dortmund contingent will also play a vital part. Having helped their domestic club claim the Bundesliga title this season right-back Lukasz Piszczek, midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowshi and striker Lukasz Piszczek clearly provide the backbone to the Polish national side. Blaszczykowski captains the side whilst Lewandowski is the topscoring player from the current squad with 13. If these four players perform strongly then Poland have a chance of finishing in the top two in what appears to be the easiest of this summer’s groups, Group A. Russia, Greece and the Czech Republic will all prove difficult barriers but with every neutral in Europe behind them Poland could scrape through. A quarter final match against Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark or Portugal will be a spectacle but ultimately the end to their campaign. Poland will no doubt enjoy their time in the limelight. However their lack of true quality throughout the squad mean that it is extremely unlikely that they won’t do anything but emulate the last two hosts of the European Championships and exit at the first hurdle.