Euro 2012

UEFA President Michel Platini has urged the international community on Thursday to help Poland and Ukraine in their preparations for the Euro 2012.

Poland and Ukraine need support of international community - quotes the National News Agency of Ukraine “Ukrinform”. In the last few months German and Italian media speculated about taking the preparation of EURO 2012 away from Poland and Ukraine.

According to western press former communist countries will not manage such a huge project. Italians, who lost the battle to organize this event, were first to criticize.

Platini, who is in Italy, definitely denied that UEFA is going to switch Euro 2012 finals to Italian federation. I suppose that Italy will run for Euro 2016-said the UEFA president-but the Italian stadiums are not the best in Europe. Most of them are old and not too pretty- he added.

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Leo Beenhakker and his new training staff prepared a list of 20 players to be observed during the first round of Polish Ekstraklasa and First League - according to “Przegląd Sportowy”

Leo Beenhakker searches for new players not only due to the next World Championships in 2010 but also for Euro 2012. There are both former national team players and completely new ones on the list of 20 names, who will be observed by the Dutch manager in the league first round.
- How will the proportions between ‘newbies’ and experienced players be set? Well, I can say anything at the moment. We have already chosen some players, but very much depends on how they will play in the first round of the league – said Rafał Ulatowski, the assistant of Beenhakker.

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Germany plays Poland in Euro 2008 Group B match. Catch Germany vs Poland Euro 2008 highlights and video here and don’t miss any Euro 2008 highlights.

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Germany vs Poland Euro 2008 Highlights:
Stage: Group B
Venue: Hypo-Arena
Date: 08 June 2008
Kick-off Time: 19.45 (UK Time)

Germany, pre tournament favorites will open their Euro 2008 campaign against Poland in a Group B match at Hypo-Arena.

The time of the match (Kick-off) of the Germany vs Poland Euro 2008 match will be on 19.45 (UK Time). Another game worth to stay up to watch. If i can stay up, so can you!.

I still can remember during Euro 1996, the Germans won the cup by beating the Czech Republic in the final. Since then, the Germans hasn’t won anything yet. So after 14 years, this might the year for the Germans!

The Euro 2008 Group B clash between Germany and Poland promises to be a heated event, based on the atmosphere in the media these past few days.

A Polish magazine published a picture of Poland manager Leo Beenhakker holding chopped off heads of two German players, which was then widely covered by German media.

Two months before timeline dated in Schedule accepted by UEFA, draft Project of National stadium in Warsaw is ready. It Has to be a major arena of Football European Championship.

They’ve projected roof of object curiously – It will be “wrappable” and hidden to special can which will hang centrally over the field. Roof will be not only “wrappable” but also heated.

- Around this device, there will hang huge TV monitors, on which you’ll see zoom’s of players on the time of match Or soon plans of music. The Same spectator will have live transfer made with hi-tech TV techniques – explained chairman of National Sport Center – Michael Borowski (read more…)

Coach: Leo Beenhakker
Group B: Germany, Croatia, Austria, and Poland

Introduction

Cause For Optimism

There has never been a better time to be a Polish football fan. A burgeoning squad developing in self belief under the guidance of one of the shrewdest managers around, the time is right for Poland to shake off their tags as international under achievers at Euro 2008.

Qualification for the tournament already indicated that Poland are becoming a force to be reckoned with. Drawn into Group A, with 8 teams, it was always going to be a long haul and their opponents, which included both Portugal and Serbia (both of whom had qualified for the World Cup) as well as Finland and Belgium, looked close. However, the Poles managed to top Group A after a shaky start which saw them loose to Finland, thanks to a 6 match winning streak stretching between matchdays 3 and 9.

The campaign has been overseen by canny Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker, who was last seen on the international stage guiding Trinidad and Tobago to their first ever qualification in the World Cup in 2006. The Polish FA managed to persuade the former Feyenoord and Real Madrid coach to come to the Polish national team to try and help turn around their fortunes.

Despite qualifying well for the World Cup in 2006 once at Germany, the Poles flopped badly after starting the tournament with a defeat to Ecuador. They never recovered from that loss and managed only one win in their final game against Costa Rica after already being knocked out of the tournament.

The arrival of Beenhakker couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment with confidence from the fans and media alike low: morale might have been at rock-bottom, but so were prospects for a turnaround. Thus since his arrival the promising results in qualification have unleashed a fresh new wave of optimism surrounding the team and the Dutchman is determined to tap into that with Poland in their first ever European Championships.

A strong Euro 2008 is seen as vital as in 2012 Poland will be co-hosting the tournament with Ukraine. A fresh interest in Polish football is therefore certain to happen, and a strong performance this time around will only boost that.
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A match-fixing scandal and a complacent attitude towards construction may undermine Poland’s ability to co-host Euro 2012

There is a rumour going around that Poland-Ukraine was awarded the rights to host Euro 2012 only by embittered Lennart Johansson acolytes looking to screw up Michel Platini’s reign. It is, almost certainly, nothing more than mischief-making, and yet there was a strange pause as Platini opened the envelope that could, with hindsight, be construed as horror. On that momentous day in Cardiff, west seemed to offer an arm to east and talk of the football family didn’t seem quite so hopelessly utopian, but since then optimism has withered. There are always scare stories ahead of major events, but recent events in Poland suggest these have more substance than most.

Securing the tournament was Michal Listkiewicz’s finest hour, finer even than running the line in the 1990 World Cup final (a photograph of which still adorns the back of his business card). As the president of the Polish football federation (PZPN) spoke about delivering a great victory for the family of Slavs, it was possible even to forget for a moment that it isn’t just his hair that has appeared to be made of Teflon. (read more…)

Polish-Ukrainian government contract about the cooperation by common organization of the Football European Championships - Euro 2012 will be signed on 18 April. A minister of sport and tourisms Mirosław Drzewiecki expressed such belief in the published on Saturday conversation with the Kiev weekly “Dzerkało Tyżnia”.

- I would like that the agreement should be signed 18 April, that is year after granting Poland and Ukraine the right to carrying out of finals of the European championships in the football - said. The minister thinks that the intergovernmental agreement about the cooperation in the matter of the organization Euro 2012 should lead to the closer coordination of action of Poland and Ukraine. (read more…)

Euro 2012 outside of Warsaw? This scenario is very propable. The capital may be replaced by Chorzów. Mirosław Drzewiecki, a dead cert candidate for minister of sport, does not rule this possibility out.

We may face an outrageous disgrace – championship of Europe 2012 will pass over the capital. Hitherto something like that has been unthinkable. Except for the championship in FRG in 1988, but only because in divided Germany Bonn played a purely administrative role. Now it turns out, that in five years the best players from the Old Continent and tens of thousands of fans will give wide berth to Warsaw. All that because of the argument about the location of National Stadium. (read more…)

Do the present national squad members have a chance to play?

Polish football was never famous for great, football stars (maybe apart from few exceptions like Boniek, Lato or Deyna).

Goalkeepers

Although slowly, but everything changes for better, because Poles are said to be those who make goalkeepers great (what a pity that only goalkeepers). One should concentrate on this crucial matter and think is it really true, and whom of the present national squad members have a chance to take part in Euro 2012. Not so long ago, we had Jurek Dudek, Adam Matysek… and that’s exactly where the problem began. At present the selector of polish football squad, Leo Beenhaker has a wide choice.

Though he counts on Artur Boruc, he could replace goalkeeper of Celtic Glasgow with Wojtek Kowalewski, Jurek Dudek, Łukasz Fabianski or even Bartosz Bialkowski. Many Polish goalkeepers decide to go aboard where most of them get good marks.

Most of them are underestimated by polish training team ( I don’t want to suggest anything), for example like one of the best goalkeepers of Greek league ( I don’t exaggerate) Arkadiusz Malarz. AEK Athens wants to have this Pole in its line-up, and it is no mean club, what is in favour of the club is the fact that a few days ago authorities of the club from Athens decided to sign a contract with a famous Brazilian representative of “coffee country” Rivaldo. Actually it was Jerzy Dudek who made the road to foreign careers easier for Poles, at first defending the access to goal from Feyenoord Rotterdam, and then being a support of Liverpool for many years. A good play of Dudek made that managers from the British Islands got interested in polish goalkeeping school.

Tomasz Kuszczak for whom wasn’t a place in Herthy Berlin’s line-up moved to West Bromwich Albion, and to Celtic Glasgow moved Artur Boruc who won hearts of “The Boys” funs. A fantastic play of Kuszczak resulted in transferring to one of the most famous English clubs, Manchester United where he is going to become a successor of Edwin Van Der Sar. After the fantastic play of Boruc in Scottish Premier League as well as in Championships League, everyone in the whole Europe talks about him. One said that AC Milan was interested in Boruc (The Winner of Championships League in the current season).

What can we say about Łukasz Fabianski. He is young as well as experienced. The new goalkeeper of Arsenal London will have to wait for his chance to play in the first team “Kanonierow”, but young age, charisma and experience on the football pitch allow him to show himself to his best advantage in England. Bartosz Bialkowski his fantastic plays alternates with injuries and spends time on substitutes’ benches, however he is worthy of attention. He had several or even more than ten great performances on the Coca Cola Championships pitches where his career also began Tomasz Kuszczak.

Wojciech Kowalewski is not anymore a goalkeeper of Spartak Moscow. After losing his place in Spartak Moscow he was for some time a captain of Russian team. But as an experienced “Gibon” he showed many times that he could defend the goal, so if he quickly changes club and he still belongs to the first line-up he will be able to come back to squad. Polish goalkeeping school is well respected in Europe and one should hope that this fact won’t change for a long time or at least till Euro 2012.

Jerzy Dudek- because of the age he doesn’t have a chance to take part in Euro 2012
Artur Boruc- if he still is in a good shape he eliminates his all faults (including lack of concentration), he will have a chance to become a world-class goalkeeper and the first goalkeeper of Polish squad during Euro 2012.
Łukasz Fabianski- if he starts playing in Arsenal, he will have a chance to take part in Euro 2012.

Tomasz Kuszczak- a play in the first line-up of team club is now the only problem of this contestant
Artur Malarz- is my personal favourite and maybe some day he will be a star of the squad. If he still plays as good as now, I’m sure that the team training squad will take notice of him.
Wojciech Kowalewski- he is not young, so I think he won’t take part in Euro 2012.

Defenders

The defend of Polish football squad maybe is not as efficient as “Czestochowa defend” and as solid as The Wall of China, but we can still talk about it as one of the best formation of the current Leo Beenhaker’s team.

An experience and youth, charisma and youthful imagination, great actions on the opponent’s goal and extremely simple mistakes called in football jargon “miscues”. All that happens to every defensive block, every team in the world, because football world doesn’t have yet an ideal team, and Polish squad certainly doesn’t belong to it. Beginnings are always tough, like it was from the beginning of Beenhaker’s work in our country.

White and red defenders didn’t deprive an experienced Dutchman of many nerves and unfortunate interventions causing heart palpitation. First matches with Denmark, later with Finland showed that “Don Leo” would have a lot of work… work which caused that today a fantastic play of our defenders helps in victories with many rivals (Portugal) who are rank higher than we are. But this fantastic play doesn’t protect us from humiliating defeats (Armenia). Fortunately there are less defends and one should hope that it won’t change for a long time. At present an experienced and popular “mosquito” that is Jacek Bak is the strength of our defence.

Many years which were spent on the French pitches in colours of Lyon or RC Lens now result in experience and charisma in squad’s play. Recently Bak signed a contract with Austria Vienna, trying to rebuild his importance and one should hope that Bak thanks to play on the Austrian pitches will be able to keep current shape for some time. Pawel Golanski, Michal Zewlakow, Marcin Wasilewski and Grzegorz Bronowicki are wings of our defence. Player’s form has an influence on who will play but it is known that one never (or very seldom) meets such situation when everybody is health or doesn’t complain about injuries. The first of them a defensive player of Kolporter Korona Kielce, is a player who thanks to fantastic play in Orange Extraclass won position in Polish squad and became one of many Beenhaker’s “new discoveries”.

A fantastic play not only in Polish league but also in some squad plays, resulted in interest from many western managers, and thanks to a trip abroad Golanski could develop his skills. Michal Zewlakow is after Bak the most experienced defensive player who is under Beenhaker’s wing. The player of Olympiakos Pireus had many selectors and he is still one of the most reliable players. An excellent play, calculation, experience and refinement in many football societies confirm that “Zewlak” is a defensive player of European class. The former player of Lech Poznan, Marcin Wasilewski decided to continue Polish tradition in Anderlecht Brussels and when an opportunity occurred he went abroad. Brilliant plays from the beginning of stay on the Belgian pitches, allowed him to won a permanent position in team. A speed and effectiveness at the rival’s goal are the greatest assets of Wasilewski. Grzegorz Bronowicki is another player from Orange Extraclass.

A fantastic dribbling, great speed and excellent play in match against Portugal showed that Beenhaker wasn’t wrong when he counted on a defensive player of Warsaw League. The centre of defence is completed mostly by football players of Vistula Cracow. Dariusz Dudka perhaps the most versatile football player in our squad on one hand can play very well and on the other hand he can mess up everything. Concentration, cunning on the pitch and lack of experience are the main flaws of Polish player. Adam Kokoszka is a player in whom believes the selector, and who still hasn’t gained trust of coaches from “White Star”. Kokoszka is certainly a promising player but in order to develop his skills he has to start playing in team club.

Arkadiusz Radomski can also play in defence but he suffers from injuries. Arkadiusz Glowacki is still a player who can develop, but he appears rarely in squad. At present Grzegorz Bartczak from Zaglebie Lublin and Jakub Wawrzyniak, a new player of League Warsaw want to play in squad.

Jacek Bak- because of his age, he doesn’t have a chance to play during Euro 2012

Pawel Golanski- a trip abroad in the West and solid shape can make that this player will be a support of squad during championships

Grzegorz Bronowicki- the same situation as in case of Pawel Golanski
Marcin Wasilewski- provided he still plays as now, he can believe in his participation in Euro 201
Dariusz Dudka- he must eliminate many flaws in his play, however I think he has a big chance
Adam Kokoszka- one, great unknown
Arkadiusz Radomski- frequent injuries, lack of solid shape and age are these factors which eliminate this player from a play in Euro 2012.

Mildfieders

Formation which consists of halfbacks is next to the defensive block the most important formation in very football team. Without perpendicular footballs from midfielders or high passes in the direction of penalty area from wingers, forwards wouldn’t score a goal.

The Polish squad can boast about very good assistance. Mariusz Lewandowski is a mildfieder. The player of Szlachta Donieck played on various footballer’s positions but during Leo Beenhaker’s term he started playing on the position of a halfback. “Left” has an extremely strong shot from a distance, he can also assist and interfere with rivals’ action which is his main task. Euzebiusz Smolarek and Jacek Krzynowek take up positions as wingers.

First of them, is the player of German Boruss Dortmund, but one says that before the beginning of a new season he will have to find a new employer. “Ebi” is very good as a forward, but in the squad his position is a winger. A good speed, experience, dribbling, cunning and effectiveness are the main assets of this player which make him indispensable in white-red team. Jacek Krzynowek takes up position on the other side of a pitch. The former player of 1.FC Nuernberg and Bayer Leverkusen where he achieved great successes also in Championships League, and at present the player of VFL Wolfsburg belongs to that kind of people who always regardless of situation do their utmost and with their strength they want to help a team. Many years which were spent in the squad under various selectors’ tutelage make him a football player who has incomparable value and experience for the national team. For one is hard to imagine the squad without “Krzynio”.

Lukasz Gargula is a midfielder of our national team. The midfielder from Belchatow treats the groin’s injury but when he is in good shape and enjoys health he becomes confident in his football actions and with unprecedented intelligence leads a play of national team. One says that he should go abroad and certainly a trip abroad to good western club could help him in developing his talent and skills, but only when he would have a position in the first line-up of his team.

Maciej Iwanski can effectively replace Gargula. The midfielder of Polish champion, Zaglebie Lublin has predispositions to become a football star of at least European stature. Great insight of a pitch, an effective technique and very good elements of play make him an ideal football player.

Przemyslaw Kazmierczak is a football star who promotes Poland in the Iberian Peninsula. The new player of FC Porto has already enjoyed a good reputation in Europe. A tall, of physical strength, agile and having extremely strong shot from a distance this player can’t make big impression in the squad, but one should hope that his time will come.

Jakub Blaszczykowski is one of the few Polish football players who has a big chance to become a world-class football star. The new winger of Boruss Dortmund possesses speed and dribbling. He is not afraid of any rival and he does not have scruples when he passes players like proverbial “beanpoles”. Radoslaw Sobolewski is a typical player who is meant to be a central midfielder. A real “tough guy” who is not afraid of rounds with opponents. The football player of Vistula Cracow has recently lost his position in starting football team of Leo Beenhaker.

Wojciech Lobodzinski and Rafal Murawski are players who because of the presence in the squad more experienced football players do not have a permanent position although the second one has already started matches in the squad. One should hope that they will still develop and the national team will find them useful.

Jacek Krzynowek- because of his age, practically doesn’t have a chance to take part in Euro 2012
Euzebiusz Smolarek- during Euro 2012 can be a support and one of the most experienced football players of our squad
Maciej Iwanski- if the develops and goes West, he will have a chance to take part in Euro 2012
Jakub Blaszczykowski- the world before him is wide open. During Euro 2012 he has a chance to be one of the greatest football stars
Lukasz Gargula- if he hasn’t severe injuries, he goes West and doesn’t waste his talent, he will have a big chance to take part in Euro 2012
Wojciech Lobodzinski- the same situation as in case of Maciej Iwanski
Radoslaw Sobolewski- because of his age and weak form, practically he doesn’t have a chance to take part in Euro 2012

But wait a minute…have UEFA been smoking too many Jamaican cigarettes, or something?We watched with baited breath as UEFA president, Michele Platini (above), stood on stage in Cardiff, Wales, and slowly tore open the envelope. It was between Croatia/Hungary, Italy and Poland/Ukraine. Everyone expected Italy.

Half of me didn’t want Poland to win, as I knew I would have to throw together something about the story in about half an hour. The other half of me - the footballing half (the bits with legs and feet) - wanted Poland to win.

And then the ex-French mid-fielder pulled out the card with the names of the winning bid on it, and the footballing half took over. I emitted that noise men make when a goal is scored:

Yeeeaahhhhaaaarrrgggggggg…gurgle….

The same noise slowly echoed through all the offices next to mine and floated, like a Mexican wave, down the corridor.

Then my brain kicked in again, along with the rest of Poland’s. Have the guys in the European football governing body gone out of their tiny minds?

There are a few small problems with Poland and Ukraine being given such a huge sporting event to put on. Here are a just a few of them.

Poland has no…um…decent football stadiums.

Poland’s football governing body was suspended by the government earlier this year because it was not doing enough kicking ou (read more…)