Given they have been World Cup regulars and two-time semi-finalists in the global footballing showpiece, it’s difficult to fathom that Poland only qualified for their first European Championships eight years ago.
The Poles have twice recorded third place finishes at the globe’s premier football event, Grzegorz Lato’s goal enough to beat the mighty Brazil in the third/fourth-place playoff in 1974. In 1982 they beat Michel Platini’s France 3-2 in a five-goal thriller. On the European stage, however, it’s been quite a different story. They made their first finals in 2008 at the 13th attempt and qualified as joint hosts with Ukraine four years ago.
They haven’t exactly set the world alight either – finishing bottom of their group on each occasion. At first glance, it doesn’t seem like bettering their first two attempts should prove much of an obstacle – except they have a tricky group, which includes world champions and old foes, Germany, as well as Ukraine and debutants Northern Ireland. They do, however, come into the tournament off the back of an impressive qualifying campaign. They stunned Joachim Low’s World Cup winners with a 2-0 victory in Warsaw in October 2014, and their only loss in the group was a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture in Frankfurt a year later.
They also have one of the best strikers at the tournament in Bayern Munich sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski, who topped the charts in qualifying with 13 goals in 10 games. His haul also saw his country score the most goals in qualifying, with 33, two ahead of England. They have players excelling in club football across Europe, including Grzegorz Krychowiak, the in-demand Sevilla midfielder.
The Poles are in excellent form, having only suffered one defeat in the last two years, and head to France rightly full of confidence.
STRENGTHS
The Poles are a well-rounded team and are strong in both attack and defence. Their 33 goals during qualifying shows their class going forward, and they only conceded 10. Although star man Lewandowski’s 13 strikes saw him top the charts, they have goals all over the pitch, with 10 of his team-mates also chipping in, including Arkadiusz Milik (six) and Kamil Grosicki (four).
WEAKNESSES
Poland’s biggest obstacle, it seems, will be themselves. If they are able to finally get the monkey off their backs and emerge from the group after two miserable attempts previously, they could make a deep run at the tournament. Selection issues remain, including who to partner Kamil Glik at the heart of defence and who can pull the strings in the No10 role.
STAR MAN – ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
The Bayern Munich striker is a genuine superstar and his form in front of goal will go some way to determining how far his side will progress in the competition. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a stunning season at club level, netting 42 goals in 51 games in all competitions for the Bavarian giants, while 16 goals in his last 15 internationals is sensational. Netted 13 times in 10 Group D games, which saw him named both top goalscorer and best player in qualifying. Will relish carrying the burden of a nation’s hopes on his shoulders.
VERDICT
With Lewandowski leading the line, supported by an able cast including Lukasz Piszczek, Glik, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Krychowiak, the White Eagles should at the very least get out of the group.
