Poland have qualified for the Euro Championships just once before in 2008 and were eliminated in the group stages.Having qualified for this year’s Championships automatically as co-hosts with Ukraine, the Poles will be looking to go a step ahead this time around and qualify for the knockout stages. The Białe Orły (The white eagles) will lock horns with Russia, Greece and the Czech Republic in Group A.

Formation & Tactics

A 4-2-3-1 seems the most likely formation for the poles with a touch of Borussia Dortmund through the team’s different tiers with Piszczek at right-back, skipper Jakub Blaszczykowski in the right wing and Robert Lewandowski leading the line up-front. Eugen Polanski and Ludovic Obraniak have gained considerable experience playing in the German and French Leagues for more than 2 years and will be causing considerable trouble to any defence. The midfield duo of Dariusz Dudka and Adrian Mierzejewski will have the job of steadying the ship and doing the dirty work and will be 2 of the most important players in this formation for Poland. Dudka is one of the highly experienced professionals in the team having played previously in the 2006 World Cup and the 2008 European Championships and has racked up 61 appearances for the Country. Mierzejewski will be the attacking of the 2 defensive midfielders and will looking to score more vital goals like the one he scored against Argentina in a recent friendly. Lukas Piszczek is another one to watch going into this tournament after his exploits with Dortmund and going by reputation one of the keys players for Poland in 2012. Perquis at Centre-back has just 5 caps under his belt for Poland but has considerable experience at Club level. Marcin Wasilewski is one of the senior players in the squad and will be looking to form a strong – pairing with newbie Perquis. Jakub Wawrzyniak, a veteran of the 2008 Polish team in the Euros and has claimed 25 caps for the Poles since 2006. With Szczesny in goal they have a trustworthy keeper between the sticks who has proven his worth time and again with the Gunners.

Franciszek Smuda the manager has instilled a sense of belief within the side as they play an efficient – contained game which was clearly evident in their impressive win against International heavyweights Argentina and the draw against neighbours Germany. Lewandowski is by far the most important player for the white eagles. Do not be surprised if they look for him first time when they have the ball. He will be looking to both hold off defenders and drop it off to his teammates or make runs behind defences. Dudka is another key ingredient to the squad. His awareness and will to intercept passes and get the ball moving forward will be crucial the way the Poles go about their game. Overall they are a defensive minded team playing a very efficient game of Football with rigid positioning. They should be a good bet to be ‘the underdogs’ of Euro 2012.

Star Performer – ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

A staggering 30 goals in 46 appearances including a hatrick in the DFB Pokal final, Robert Lewandowski has got the attention of the World. After a premature first season with the Germans Lewandowski was firing on all cylinders this term and finished as the German League’s 3rd top scorer with 22 goals, DFB Pokal’s top scorer with 6 and was also named Bundesliga Player of the Year for the 2011-12 season. He also has 13 goals in 40 appearances for Poland.

Robert Lewandowski has to click if Poland are to make it to the knockout stages for the first time in their History.

Prediction

A Quarter-Final berth seems certain after being placed in a group with no major Heavyweights. Home Support and luck can even see them through to the Semi-Finals.

Star Rating – 3/5