It is the first time for Poland at the finals of a Euro event. Can they overcome the rookie’s fear?
Group B is characterized by the presence of favourites Germany which will be tipped by many to top the list here. However, the other powerhouse Croatia might have other plans for the group whilst Austria will be planning to bank on home advantage. Poland will be the black horse here as they have the potential to surprise any of the other three teams.
Poland
Poland dominated entirely their group for qualification to Euro 2008, holding the top position from start to finish despite an initial home loss to Finland. They quickly settled and found a winning formula that had them get the better of Portugal and Serbia. The latest friendlies were, however, less reassuring and some eyebrows were raised after their home humiliation to the United States.
The Manager – Leo Beenhakker
Much of the Polish hopes are lying with Leo Beenhakker’s charisma and track record. The feat achieved when he qualified to the World Cup of 2006 with lowly Trinidad and Tobago, and managing an improbable draw with the strong Swedes at the finals of the major tournament, further aliments the hopes of Poland for this first ever Euro for them.
Beenhakker has traveled a lot and won equally as much in his long and prosperous coaching career. He has held coaching posts in the Middle East, South America and Europe where, apart from innumerable jobs in his home land with Ajax, Feyenoord De Graafschaap and others, he also coached in Switzerland, Spain and Turkey. The peak of his career was probably his stay at Madrid where he landed one Copa del Rey and three Liga titles in a row.
The Squad
The biggest problem which coach Beenhakker will have to resolve quickly is the goal drought in attack. Matusiak and captain Zurawski do not always excel at putting the ball in the net. Nonetheless the skipper is highly creative and inspires many of the goal scoring maneuvers which are generally finished off by prolific midfielder Smolarek who scored 9 out of the 24 goals for Poland in their qualification stages to Euro 2008. Krzynowek often lends a hand as well. This arrangement has not proven solid enough to maintain the goals coming and definite improvement in front of goal is required by the Poland strikers.
The defence has not been very impressive either shipping in almost a goal every game. Amongst the top four teams in Group A for the qualification to Euro 2008 they had the worst goals against record. Luckily they can rely on the talented Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc, whose exploits in Scotland have made him the major transfer target for many top European teams this summer.
Prediction
Unfortunately, Poland are not new to bowing out of the group stage of a major tournament after having qualified to it with flying colours. The problem, in such cases, would seem to be a psychological one. Having the skills and physical abilities in football is one important aspect of the game. Yet having the required psychological strength to take control of those skills when they are most needed is the major accomplishment a truly professional player must make.
I would single this dimension out as the main weakness of Poland. Euro 2008, like any other major tournament, will come with the accompanying pressure from the media and their own nation. If the people do not show their support, especially after a disappointing first match, then the team can pack up and leave right away.
This is what has been the recent history of the national team of Poland these last years. Both in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals they gave up hope after having conceded their first encounter going on to win only a final insignificant group match before waving goodbye and travelling back home.
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