Polska, Bialo-Czerwoni

Poland vs. Croatia Live Commentary : Leo Beenhakker vs. Slaven Bilić

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:49:48 -0500

End Of Match: ... but I just CAN'T!!!

End Of Match: I really would like to thank Polish national team for all these emotions...

End Of Match: Croatia vs. Turkey, Germany vs. Portugal

90' (+3): The last free kick for Croatia and it will be all over...

90' (+2): And Croatian counterattack, wide shot

90' (+2): Probably the last attack...

90': Nope, Poland really didn't deserve to qualify to quarterfinals...

90': It's going to be three more minutes

89': Free kick for Croatia near Polish penalty area

89': But now Croatians attack

89': One of the last of Polish chances...

87': We just had really good chance for an equalizer, but Croatians are too selfish ;)

87': Croatians really could give us a gift - they're on the first place in the group anyway, so why would they care?

85': Roger seems like injuried... But he can still walk

84': Another attempt by Smolarek, but still he's just a shadow of Smolarek from the qualifications

84': Maybe two or three more...

84': The last six minutes for Poland on EURO 2008...

84': Zahorski booked for sliding challenge

82': Croatians don't really want to attack anymore...

81': Smolarek shoots... just inches

81': Series of counterattacks... all of them stopped by midfielders

80': Free kick shot over the bar

79': Żewłakow fouls Kalinic close to Polish penalty area

76': Dudka mirrors Wawrzyniak's "shoot" but even higher above the bar...

75': Ivan Klasnic is coming off and he is replaced by Nikola Kalinic

74': Mladan Petric changed by Niko Kranjcar

73': Wawrzyniak just kicked the ball. It wasn't a shoot by any chance, he just kicked the ball in the direction of the goal

73': Zahorski crosses, but it's cleared by Croatian defender

71': Minimum Smolarek's offside

71': Krzynówek ruled offside, but actually he wasn't...

70': I thinks it's Rakitic

69': One of Croatian players is getting a medical treatment

69': And Saganowski is substituted by Tomasz Zahorski

68': Good header by Saganowski stopped by Croatian goalkeeper

66': Boruc (again!) stops the cross

64': Klasnic tried to score another goal but shoots wide...

63': Oh, what a chance for Roger!!!

62': Good pass to Roger on the wing, he dribbles, but just a throw-in

60': Dudka shoots above the bar - hopefully just because Leko is injuried...

57': English commentary: "Poland looks like dead man walking". Cheers... :/

56': Krzynówek tried to shoot, but (again) the shot goes wide

54': Łobodziński replaced by Ebi Smolarek

53': Cross by Pranjic and Ivan Klasnic defeats Artur Boruc

52': It doesn't really matter, because Croatian reserves score the goal

50': Austria-Germany 0-1, it doesn't look good

49': Krzynówek crosses, again too strong, and Łobodziński shoots wide

48': Corner kick for Poland

47': Łobodziński crosses, but stopped by Runje.

47': Boruc stops the cross

46': And we start the second half

Half Time:

Kokoszka changes Lewandowski

Half Time:

From Polish website: "We don't know what else Boruc has to do to go to Milan or other Arsenal after EURO".

True, second match in which he saves the whole team. He's really one of the top goalkeepers on this tournament

Half Time: According to half-time analysis from Fox TV Croatian reserves play better than Poland... I wish I couldn't agree with that :(

45' (+3): Half-time whistle

45' (+2): Krzynówek fouled harshly by Simic

45' (+2): Good chance for Croatia... I had about 10 such chances yesterday on XBOX :)

45': Third or fourth identical action: throw-in by Łobodziński, pass to Krzynówek who is either blocked or misses the target

45': Yellow card for Vejic for the foul on Roger.

44': Lewandowski passes directly to Leko... quick run and a shoot misses the goal by inches

43': Krzynówek tried to shoot like Podolski against Croatia - his really strong shot stopped on one of Croatian defenders. That had to hurt...

43': Bounced from the wall, we have a corner kick

42': 28 m from the goal

42': Something is burning on the crowds behind Croatian goal ;)

41': Free kick for Poland close to Croatian goal... Too bad we suck at free kicks...

39':

Yeay, Lewandowski will miss the next match.

Of course, if we will have any next match, that is...

39': Petric shoots wide

38': Oh, actually it was Lewandowski, who's been booked for complaining about referee's decision...

38': Pokrivac booked for foul on Roger

38': Great, just great... I lost internet connection :(

30': Austria-Germany still 0-0. Come on, Austria, we want to qualify! ;)

30': Brilliant cross by Pranjic, but it's rulled offside - just inches

30': Łobodziński handed the ball - really unclear situation in my opinion

28': Changed transmission channel, because i had "Buffering..." every few seconds and I didn't want to watch slideshow from the match.

23': Rakitic crosses the ball into the box from the free kick, but cleared by Polish defenders

21': Long pass to Croatians bravely cleared by Boruc who ran off the penalty area

20': Free kick close to Polish goal... Rakitic is going to shoot... misses by inches. What a relief

19': Krzynówek's pass to Roger intercepted nicely by a Croatian defender

18': Croatian attack, but today we do have a defence :)

16': Long throw-in for Poland into the box, withdrawal, cross... and nothing again

14': Croatian raid on the left side of the field, Pranjic crosses, but fortuantely no one is in the box to close the attack.

13': Good tackling by Roger, he passes forward, but Krzynówek is too slow

13': Roger almost run into Croatian substitution bench :)

11': Another corner from the same side of the field, Krzynówek... And Dariusz Dudka misses by inches

11': Corner kick by Krzynówek

9': Knezevic from Croatia is on the ground and he's getting a medical treatment

9': Krzynówek hit by Croatian goalkeeper in the head

8': Good pass to Łobodziński, cross... still in the box...

8': Klasnic has some problems with Dudka and the referee has to separate them. Oh come on, pussy ;)

7': Leo Beenhakker on the screens - he looks quite like Doc Brown from "The Return to the Future" :D

6': Really good run by Krzynówek, but he was stopped in the penalty box by Croatian defenders

5': Hey, this auto-changing minute select is really useful ;)

4': Lewandowski fouled Leko

4': Corner kick for Poland, but cleared by defenders

3': Croatian reserves not much interested in attacking...

2': English commentator pronounces Polish surnames worse than Chinese one ;)

2': Still 0-0

2': Small problems with the connection, quick change to MySports2 channel and we're off

Before Kick Off: This transmission is "sponsored" by Thai TV instead of Chinese TV - I foresee some problems, it's buffering something all the time...

Before Kick Off: If only our defence will play like football players, the formation 4-4-1-1 should be OK

Before Kick Off:

Official line-up: Boruc - Wasilewski, Dudka, Żewłakow, Wawrzyniak - Łobodziński, Murawski, Lewandowski, Krzynówek - Roger - Saganowski

Before Kick Off:

I'm not going to write about my feelings or my predictions about this match. Maybe Croatians will give us nic gift, maybe their reserves will want to show themselves to the whole world.

We will see in a few hours.

The last chance

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:49:52 -0500

End Of Match: So it's Croatia and Germany in quarterfinals... Unless you believe that Austria will kick Germans' asses...

90' (+5): And the end of the game... I'm just speechless...

90' (+3): How could that happen?

90' (+3): KURWAAAAA!!!

90' (+2): PENALTY?????

90' (+1): Short corner kick by Krzynówek

90': Three minutes of injury time

89': Austrians try long pass... Not today, lads!

88': Brave stop by Boruc

87': A few more minutes and we will have the first co-hosted tournament without at least one of the hosts in at least quarterfinals...

87': Lewandowski shoots really strong from a free kick... Macho-MAN!

86':

Chinese commentator tried to pronounce these two names.

That was funny :D

85': No! Not Roger! He's substituted by Rafał Murawski

83': Marek Saganowski is substituted by Wojciech Łobodziński. Just try to pronounce his name ;)

82': "Jeszcze jeden" by Polish crowds.

82': Ivica Vastic fouls Mariusz Lewandowski

80': Roger just dribbled past three defenders. But he's been stopped by the fourth one.

80': Really nice Polish run, really nice cross... and pathetic miss by Smolarek

79': Really poor save by Boruc, but cleared by Krzynówek. Corner kick

78': Clear position of Austrian player stopped by Boruc, quick counterattack and the same thing by Macho-man

76': Boruc swears (which can be easily heard in the transmission), Austrian player shoots... the shot goes wide

75': Säumel just entered the field and he's already fouled.

74':

Another substitution for Austria.

Rene Aufhauser is coming off and he is replaced by Jürgen Säumel

74': Austrian shoot stopped by Jacek Bąk - corner kick

73': Yellow card for Sebastian Prödl for the foul on Ebi Smolarek

71': Two balls on the field...

71': Smolarek tries to strip off the Austrian guy... Hey, wait for the end of the game! :P

70': Marek Saganowski crosses the ball... Macho-man again!

68': Krzynówek shoots... another great save by the Macho-man

67': Rene Aufhauser fouls Jacek Krzynówek 32 meters from the goal

66': He's fine and he gets back on the field

65': Saganowski is getting a medical treatment

65': Kienast from the beginning dances with the ball...

64':

Two substitutes for Austria.

Andreas Ivanschitz is coming off and he is replaced by Ivica Vastic

Roland Linz is coming off and he is replaced by Roman Kienast

63': Really good save by the Macho-man

63': Lewandowski shoots but he's blocked by Austrian defender

62': Another cross by Roger...

62': Krzynówek gets a yellow card for kicking the ball after the whistle. In the meantime we can see a striptease performed by Austrian substitute

60': ... claimed by the goalkeeper, but it was really good long run by Krzynówek

60': Quick Polish counterattack, Krzynówek crosses...

58': Free kick... above the bar

58': Yellow card for Marcin Wasilewski

57': Another dribbling dance by Roger, but again nothing

56': Roger dribbles in the box, manages to cross, but straight to Austrian defender. Corner kick

56': Krzynówek will make a free kick... cleared by defenders

56': Umit Korkmaz fouls Marek Saganowski - yellow card

54': Smolarek fouled by Austrian defender, but the ref says it wasn't anything

53': Another shooting attempt stopped by Boruc. But he doesn't catch the ball confidently...

52': Polish crowds start to shout "Jeszcze jeden" ("One more")

51': Roger passes the ball in a Brazilian style to Krzynówek who loses it a second later.

51': Come on, Smolarek, you have been our best player in the qualifications, what's wrong with you, mate?

50': Smolarek first time actually doing something... He shoots straight into the goalkeeper, who lets the ball out, again Smolarek (becuse Austrian defenders just stay in one place), but nothing happens...

49':

Golański tries to pass, the pass has been intercepted and quick counter-attack through the empty space left by him.

Good that we still have Boruc.

48': Golański stops the opponent. By fouling him.

47': Nope, Austrian pussy has just dived in the box...

46': Is it going to be the penalty??

46': But for me he can even crawl as long as he scores goals :)

46':

Roger runs on the left side, but he's slower than Austrian defender.

Yes... A Brazilian guy slower than Austrian defender...

46': The second half starts with Dudka's foul

45': I don't know which one is worse ;)

45': Oh, brilliant - Golański for Jop

Half Time: The score doesn't reflect the play - Poland easily could lose by 3 or 4 goals by now. Leo, do something with these crappy defenders!!!

45' (+1): The shots goes wide and it's a half-time

45' (+1): Free kick for Austria...

45': Jop fouled the Austrian player using his butt...

45': 1 minute of injury time

45': Oh, look, they show Smolarek... So he is actually on the field in this game, I wouldn't say that... :/

44': Low pass and free kick for Poland - one of Polish defenders has been fouled, I couldn't see which one

44': Żewłakow tries to clear the ball, but the ref says it was foul. Free kick for Austria really close to Polish goal...

42': Now Austrians play like Greeks - pass to the defender, pass to the goalkeeper, pass to the defender...

41': Corner kick, Krzynówek... cleared by the Macho-man

40': Polish attack... Saganowski... stopped by a defender

40': Nothing much on the field... some passes, some throw-ins...

38': Hey, it's football, not some bloody wrestling, leave Roger alone!

37': Another shot from the distance by Krzynówek, saved by the goalkeeper.

33': Jop twice loses the ball and only pathetic performance of Austrian strikers saves us... Polish counter-attack, Krzynówek shoots... nothing.

32': Roger is now on the monitor about every 5 seconds

31': If there is something more shitty than Polish defence it's definitely Austrian one :)

30': Saganowski passed to Roger through Austrian goalkeeper and defender and Roger just had to touch the ball. And he did!

29': GOOOOAAAAL!!!

29': Polish attack...

27': And now some passing between defenders to push up stats a little

25': Long pass from Polish defender... at first I thought it was directed at Roger... then that it was for Krzynówek... but no, it was just for no-one... Throw-in for Austria

25': And Austrian counterattack

25': Corner kick for Poland

24': And what that supposed to be? One of the Polish players, I think it was Lewandowski, just shoots straight into Austrian defence...

23': Roger had to move back to the defence to clear the ball...

22': Hey, Leo, substitute all defenders for strikers - we don't have a defence anyway, but we could at least score some goals...

22': Another Austrian attack and another ridiculous mistake - Wasilewski this time - and another save by Boruc

21': Austrian defender passes to the goalkeeper who kicks the ball out for the throw in.

20': Polish counterattack, Krzynówek shoots from the distance... wide off target

18': Another Austrian shot...high above the goal

16': See? That's how you defend...

16': Corner kick - saved by Boruc... now the counterattack

15': OH COME ON!!! Boruc can't save our team all the time. WHERE IS THE DEFENCE????

14': Roger fouls Garics close to Austrian penalty area

13': Another great opportunity for Austria - Boruc saves again and defenders are lost completely!

12': That must have hurt ;)

12': Ouch... Żewłakow hit right in the balls...

11': Corner kick... Boruc is not confident today...

11': Again - ridiculous mistake of Polish defence and only inches save us...

10': OH MY GOD!

10': Boruc walks with the ball...

10': Boruc saves without any trouble.

10': Free kick for Austria

9': Poland loses the ball in the midfield and Austria starts the counter-attack. But one of their players tried to run through Jacek Bąk and this was the end of the counter-attack

7': Roger tried to pass to Krzynówek, but he forgot that there is Austrian player on the way

7': Brilliant Austrian pass to Polish defender Żewłakow...

6':

Chinese commentator tries really hard to pronounce "Saganowski" properly ;)

And this is the most interesting thing for the moment...

5': Austrians could do really well on the left field, but then they decided to withdraw the ball. Oh well...

4': Goal kick for Austria

4': Roger begins the attack...

1': OK, I'm back, I'm not sure if I lost anything

0': NO! Don't you even dare, you stupid TV!!!!

0': And they're off - Poland begins.

Before Kick Off: And now they show Polish president with this ridiculous scarf... Oh, he's so big supporter, damn right...

Before Kick Off: Polish crowds during the anthem!

Before Kick Off: Why can't we play in normal white-and-red? Someone would confuse us with Austrians in all red uniforms?

Before Kick Off: White uniforms? Are we England or what?

Before Kick Off: Again my commentary is going to be delayed by 2-3 minutes. I hope you don't mind as I don't care if you do :P

Before Kick Off:

Less than an hour...

Here is the most probable line-up: Boruc - Wasilewski, Bąk, Jop, Żewłakow - Smolarek, Dudka, Lewandowski, Krzynówek - Roger - Saganowski.

Before Kick Off:

12 hours before the match, I'm starting to feel nervous. After all, the co-host, Switzerland, has been already eliminated from the tournament and that would be really strange not to see at least one of the host countries at least in the quarterfinals.

So, are the walls going to help Austrians today? Hopefully not...

Some statistics before the next match

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:23:29 -0500

Stats provided by

Looking at the stats, I'm quite happy and confident - Poland not only runs faster (29.29 kph compared to Austrian 27.12 kph) but also further (108.426 km to 197.858 km). Almost every Polish player has been faster than the corresponding Austrian player - even the goalkeeper Artur Boruc has been faster than Jurgen Macho.

Of course the speed is not everything - let's take a look at "ordinary" match stats:

Here the things don't look as well - Austria had 6/9 shots compared to Poland's 5/6. In crosses the difference is more significant - 24 to 15. 4 to 3 in corners also show that Austria had more chances against Croatia than Poland against Germany.

The optimistic thing is that Poland also was trying - 4 offsides (0 for Austria) and 2 counter-attacks (1 for Austria) show, that Poland was slightly more focused on quick responses to the threat before the opposing team could have regrouped.

The rule of today's football is that a team which controls the ball longer, has bigger chances for victory. So, Poland, tomorrow try better than 48% - Austria had 53%!

One-sided live commentary

Sat, 7 Jun 2008 16:19:09 -0500

End Of Match: Three German pussies celebrate the victory

90' (+4): End of the game, I'm not going to write any summary if you don't mind...

90' (+4): Possession: 52%-48% for Germany. Again, who cares?

90' (+2): Game over... we are not going to do anything more...

90' (+1): Big juicy "kurwa" could be heard on the field

90' (+1): Piszczek crosses... nothing

90': Three more minutes to score two (or three) goals

89': Schweinsteiger shoots - blocked, Podolski shoots - the ball goes wide

88': Jacek Krzynówek fouls pussy no 1... I mean Ballack

86': Offside for Klose

86': Lewandowski crosses... oh, do me a favour! Saved by Lehmann... again!

85': Thomas Hitzlsperger misses the goal with a shot from outside the box, Jansen is a pussy!

84': Roger dribbles... header by Saganowski... saved by Lehmann again

82': Roger fouled by Miroslav Klose

80':

Bloody Polish officials! They could offer Podolski play in Polish national team a few years ago, but nooooo...

We would be winning 2-0 by now!

77':

Yesterday in EURO 2008 console game I've been already losing 0-2 to Germany and I've managed to win. You listen, Polish players??

75':

Golański replaced by Marek Saganowski... Gomez replaced by Hitzlsperger.

Who cares?

73': NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Podolski scores again!

72': Shot by Krzynówek saved

72': Christoph Metzelder fouls Euzebiusz Smolarek, free kick by Krzynówek...

70': Pussy no 1 shoots... defended by Boruc!

68': Corner kick for Poland... Krzynówek... saved by Lehmann. Leave this ball alone!!!

67': Schweinsteiger shoots... saved by Boruc

65': Piszczek? He was on Rhodos three days ago... what he's doing on the field?? Leo Beenhakker must be really desperate...

64': Łukasz Piszczek replaces Wojciech Łobodziński

64': Schweinsteiger fouls Golański... nico21horia, you were saying? :P

62': OK, fair enough, there was...

62': Offside??? There was no offside!!!!

62': Podolski commits a foul - the difference is that Wasilewski is not a pussy

62': German attack stopped by Boruc

60': Lewandowski fouls Podolski, yellow card

59': Polish counter-attack... cross by Roger... cleared by Mertesacker, corner kick for Poland

57': Pussy no 1 crosses - Klose tries to shoot... above the bar

57': Lahm crosses... cleared by Jacek Bąk

55': Fritz replaced by Schweinsteiger

53': Jansen tries really hard to be pussy no 3... Shot saved by Lehmann

52': Brilliant dribbling by Roger, but a throw-in

52': Schweinsteiger looks like warming up...

51': Minimal offside for Łobodziński

50': Polish counter-attack... Łobodziński crosses... wide again. Come on, guys!

47': Roger crosses... wide

46': Pussy no 1 shoots!!! The ball goes wide

45': Żurawski substituted by Roger.

Half Time: Stats of shoots: Poland-Germany 10-4 (on target 2-1). Unfortunately in goals it's 0-1

Half Time: If you have any comments about the game, express yourself on: http://www.oleole.com/blogs/theweekinfootball/posts/the-eurocast-the-podcast-that-you-can-be-part-of

Half Time: This is probably going to be my last live commentary - my heart is not going to last another such game...

45' (+2): Half-time

45' (+1): Lewandowski shoots - another save by Lehmann

45':

Second PUSSY - Podolski. He jumped into Polish defender and requests the card for him.

And another PUSSY - Ballack supports him

45': New Polish Brazilian - Roger starts to warm-up

44': I remember one Polish book: "Do przerwy 0-1" ("0-1 in the first half"), so there's still a hope for Poland :)

44': Paweł Golański puts in a cross... nothing - a goal kick for Germany

41': Another offside for Germany saves Polish defence...

40': Yellow card for Smolarek for a foul on Mertesacker. For a moment I've seen a red card in referee's hand...

39': Lewandowski shoots from outside the box!!! Misses

38': Fritz dribbles... passes to Gomez... the shot goes wide

36': INCHES!!!

36': Żurawski!!! Missed...

35': Lewandowski shoots!!!! Blocked

34': Gomez fouls Żewłakow

33': Pass to Smolarek intercepted right before the box

32': Possession: 58%-42% for Germany

32': Another German raid, cleared by Żewłakow

31':

Free kick for Germany, Ballack fouled by Jacek Krzynówek.

Yeah, right, stand up, PUSSY!!!

30':

Lehmann doesn't seem like being in top form - it's a chance for Poland.

On the other hand - Boruc is in top form, but it's not Germany who are losing...

28': Łobodziński in the box... saved by Lehmann

27': Corner kick - Lukas Podolski sends the ball into a box, but nothing happens - throw-in

25': Two offsides - one for Klose and one for Łobodziński

23': Corner kick for Poland, COME ON!

22': Polish defence is non-existing, Germans do whatever they want...

20':

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Lukas Podolski scores for Germany!!!

19': Ridiculous pass to no-one by Zurawski

19': Possession stats: 62%-38%, it doesn't look good for now

17': Offside calms down the game

17': Cross and a corner kick

16': Free kick for Germany, Podolski will shoot...

14': Lehmann saves the Germany

13': Germans still keep the ball...

11': Another German attempt stopped by Polish defence

10':

German pussy no 1 - PODOLSKI

8': Cross into German box... and inches again but now on the other side of the field

7': Lobodzinski fouled by Podolski

6': It was offside anyway

4': OH MY GOD!!!! Awful mistake of Polish defence and the whole stadium became silent for a moment. Just INCHES from the goal

3': Gomez stopped by Polish defenders

0': Lehmann's mistake and Krzynowek shoots! Above the bar

0': And they're off!

Before Kick Off: It's going to start any minute now...

Before Kick Off:
Eurocast reminder: http://www.oleole.com/blogs/theweekinfootball/posts/the-eurocast-the-podcast-that-you-can-be-part-of

Before Kick Off: Polish national anthem - just listen to the crowds!

Before Kick Off: Players go out to the field

Before Kick Off: Polish supporters don't have silly hats but they have HUGE white-and-red flag

Before Kick Off: Germany supporters wear silly hats

Before Kick Off: This commentary will be probably delayed by about 2-3 minutes. Don't blame me, blame Chinese television ;)

Before Kick Off: Germany line-up: Lehmann - Jansen, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm - Fritz, Frings, Ballack, Podolski - Klose, Gomez

Before Kick Off: From other field: 4th minute, Austria - Croatia 0-1. We just have to win with Germany today!

Before Kick Off: The most probable Polish line-up: 1. Artur Boruc - 13. Marcin Wasilewski, 14. Michał Żewłakow, 6. Jacek Bąk, 4. Paweł Golański - 17. Wojciech Łobodziński, 5. Dariusz Dudka, 18. Mariusz Lewandowski, 9. Maciej Żurawski, 8. Jacek Krzynówek - 7. Euzebiusz Smolarek.

Before Kick Off:

The match hasn't started yet, but the fans do not care - in Klagenfurt two groups of Polish and German supporters met and after some trashtalk they started to throw cups with beer at each other. Then the fight started.

Before the police arrived, the groups had run away, but two people were arrested.

Before Kick Off:

Tomorrow at the same time it will be all over and the winner will be determined.

Unless it will be a draw, of course ;)

Anyway, this is going to be really one-sided live commentary of this one of the most important games for Poland.

DO BOJU POOOLSKOOOO!!!

After the first training

Mon, 19 May 2008 16:22:59 -0500

Polish players are in Donaueschingen and they compete for the right to go to EURO 2008. 23 out of 26 will get their place in the team. To be more precise - 23 out of 27, because Leo Beenhakker asked 18-year-old Wojciech Szczęsny from Arsenal to play in the preparation camp as second goalkeeper (Artur Boruc [Celtic] still fights for the crown of Scottish Premier League and Tomasz Kuszczak [Manchester United] is in Moscow, preparing to UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea and Wojciech Kowalewski [Korona Kielce] resigned from being a substitute goalkeeper due to family issues).

We will see more key players on Thursday - Ebi Smolarek, Mariusz Lewandowski, Jakub Błaszczykowski and Jacek Krzynówek. They can feel confident about their places in the team. Same stands for Bąk, Żewłakow and Wasilewski.

One of the players that can't be sure his place in the team, Marek Saganowski, says:

How a striker can convince coach? By shooting goals. And also by fulfilling tactic plans.

Grzegorz Bronowicki would have been sure of his position in the team, but he was injuried lately, he's still hobbling a little and he's practicing outside the group. We will see shortly if he is able to go to EURO.

Roger Guerreiro, Brazilian player, who got Polish citizenship thanks to Leo Beenhakker's efforts says:

Group B is not divided into Germany and outsiders. In the qualifications Croatia defeated England and Poland defeated Portugal. So it would be better if Germany waited before they start to say about qualifying to quarterfinals before the tournament even started.

On 6pm Polish players had first training - open for media, which is extraordinary, most of the preparations will be kept closed. The field on which Leo Beenhakker will explain tactical plans will be surrounded by white, opaque foil and the hotel in which players are staying is guarded by bodyguards from Poland.

Interview with Leo Beenhakker

Thu, 15 May 2008 17:20:06 -0500

Robert Blonski and Michael Pol (Gazeta Wyborcza): Did you like the Polish Cup final?

Leo Beenhakker: I came back from the Polish Cup final with a headache. When the best two of Polish teams play, moveover, without any pressure, because both are guaranteed to participate in the cups, one expects a beautiful match and open game. Would want to call: "Go on, play! Nevermind, win or lose, but seek to score, seek to win." But no. Both teams above all, they did not want to lose a goal. I was watching this match, the play of Matusiak, Łobodziński, Wawrzyniak and the rest, and I was thinking about what awaits us in the Euro 2008 match with Germany. For God's sake, how I'm going to make them play on the level I need in three weeks? On the level of matches with Portugal, because in so we have to play on Euro. I was thinking to myself, that this qualification and style, in which we sometimes play, that's a real miracle. And we need a miracle again on the Euro. And therefore I can't wait till Monday, when the boys finally gather and start preparing.

Has Roger deserved to be chosen the best player of the final?

- Absolutely. I say it honestly and not to legitimate my decision to appoint him to the Euro. Roger was the only player in Belchatow, who wanted to play football. I don't say that he played very well. I say that he was pulling the game, he played forward, was creative.

What role would you entrust to Roger in Polish national team?

- Of the classic no. 10, but he may also, as he does in Legia with Vukovic, play on the position of defensive midfielder. In the national team the roles of defensive midfielders are such, that Lewandowski acts as a defender, guard the backs, and Dudka, Murawski and Garguła play forward. Number 10 meets the different functions, depending on the opponent. Sometimes he must be somewhat backed striker, sometimes he plays a role of the midfielder as Garguła, Roger or Majewski.

What may Roger give to the team?

- He is a very creative player. He sees more than others. As no one else in Polish Premier League, he can open the way to goal for his partner. He has an eye to find uncovered player, and once he aw him, he is able to pass successfully. In Belchatow he had two, three such passes, which I thought that they are perfect.

Looking at the game of Matusiak, we were wondering, who is making the mistake: the coach Beenhakker, invoking him, and not on Paweł Brożek for Euro, or the coach Skorża, who doesn't let him play in the league.

- I have bet on the players who have proven to me in the qualifying rounds, that they can rise from the league level to national team level. The fact that a player is playing in the club, makes no guarantee that he's going to play at the same level in the national team. Also, we have three matches in ten days. Look at Maciej Iwański. I was giving a chance to him, because he played in a club on good level. But in the national team he played on the same level. On the other hand, Łobodziński has shown me, even in the match with Kazakhstan, that he can be go above the average when the need comes. Matusiak is a puzzle for me. I will watch him on the preparation camp in Germany.

Artur Wichniarek scored ten goals in Bundesliga. We have heard that your staff has done a research that led to a conclusion, that he more often than the other players loses the ball before the a penalty area?

- We have reviewed the play of each player in every respect in many, many matches. I agree taht from the attacker playing with the number 9, we should require firstly and foremostly the goals. But to shot, you first need to find yourself close to the goal. And how many times we'll have an opportunity at goal in the match with Germany, you reckon?

Three or four?

- I hope that five. In today's football, at the highest level if both teams have five opportunities to score, it is a great game. This means that the most important task of number 9 is to move the ball from the rear to the front. Against Germany we are going to play under pressure and we will have to be smart to overcome it. This can be done in two ways. One we could see in the Polish Cup finals - close your eyes and shoot the ball out of the stadium. In Belchatow PZPN has lost four balls this way.

The second way is to shoot the ball from the back, look forward for the number 9 and send it to him. If the attacker is of the class of Raul, van Nistelrooy or Drogba, he will hold the ball and wait until the rest of the team left their own half and join the game. Miroslav Klose also play this way. Not only he scores, he is also able to skillfully hold the ball until Ballack and Schweinsteiger approach. All the time he controls the game. That's why, he is good.

I've reviewed in this respect all my potential players, how many balls can they hold, wait, and create a hazard for every ten balls they get. And how many of them they lose by allowing the rival to make a counterattack when the team is disorganized. You would be shocked if you could see the results of this research. If the fans could know more, they would understand some of my choices. Because in the match with Germany, we will be under pressure for about 60 minutes, and with Croatia even more. Austria will play differently, they will be waiting for our mistake and then react. I have honestly analysed, what people do I need for these matches. The fact that someone scored one goal in the last round, will not change my assessment of their skills and suitability. I say this with all respect for all the Jareks, Sikoras, Brożeks or Zieńczuks.

Who in this case is your number 1 position at number 9?

- It could be Ebi Smolarek, Maciej Żurawski or Matusiak. It depends on the opponent and in what form they will be. These are the questions to which I will seek answers during the preparation camp in Germany. For example, Matusiak will have to give me the answer on the field, is he able in such a short time to regain the form from the qualifications. If not, I will have to take a bad decision for him. But at least I am sure that he is able to play at a good level as the number 9. Many times we were practising that. I said to him: "Radek, hold the ball. See, your colleagues are 50 meters away from you. Wait until they are within 20 meters, and then you can reverse to the goal and do whatever you want - shoot, dribble, pass ...". And he knows that. I explain to him, that when he is facing back from a goal, he plays for the team. As is is facing front, then he may play his own game, has the freedom of action.

As you can see, the selection is something a little more complicated than to shout: "Hey, this guy scored yesterday, bring him on to the national team." Trust me, my staff did their homework well. We have reviewed every player concentrating for group matches and hence such choices.

What's with the health of Dariusz Dudka and Grzegorz Bronowicki? Apparently, the first one suffered a knee injury?

- Yes? I was surprised, he didn't play in the Polish Cup final, the medical staff of Wisla Krakow assured me, that he is healthy. I've asked my medical staff to double-check that. Rehabilitation of Bronowicki is progressing very well. We do not expect any problems with that.

In the German weekly newspaper "Sport Bild" you said, that you do not fear "the match with Germany, as the team of the coach Joachim Loewa is now an average team, deprived of world-class players and the mentality of the winner. This latter are today in Europe only Italians".

- I didn't say anything like that. I said that Klinsmann did revolution in the style of the Germans on the offensive game and he also changed the way of preparation. They are not playing the system with a libero, they switched to 4-4-2. They also play with the will ofwinning every match. I didn't also say anything about the Berlin wall. The man who wrote it, is stupid. I do not know whether he wanted to heat the atmosphere before our game? I will find him and find out.

How Leo Beenhakker was selecting a squad...

Fri, 9 May 2008 16:40:20 -0500

Leo Beenhakker has decided, that Arkadiusz Radomski, Artur Wichniarek, Dawid Janczyk, Lukasz Piszczek, Michal Golinski and Wojciech Kowalewski will not go to Donaueschingen for preparation camp before EURO 2008. Without three strikers, it seems that Poland is not going to be very dangerous offensively.

Here's what Leo Beenhakker said after announcing his decision:

1. Team welfare. Making any decision, I've been refering to what's the best for the team. I've done my best to make this group of players a real team. A team, in which there is full understanding and good coordination.

2. Skills of the players.

3. Team balance. In several cases I had three great players for one postion, but I knew that I can take only two of them - the main player and his substitute.

4. Physical and psychical form. It's going to be really hard tournament. Difficult matches every four days. I was looking for the players, who not only would recover fast physically but they wouldn't celebrate the win for the next three days or woudn't have been depressed for three days after eventual defeat. We won't have time for this on EURO 2008.

5. Social skills. Building the team, I'm judging also players' skills to be together in a group. In the best case we're going to spend six weeks together and I must be sure that players will be able to cooperate and coexist together.

For many months me and my staff were analyzing every single detail. So now, if any Paul scores a goal in a match or any Peter scores in another, please don't call for them in the squad. I've already told you all: everything has been analyzed individually.

Well, we will see soon if he was right. I hope so.

Leo Beenhakker has announced 31 players

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:02:31 -0500

Although the official deadline of presentind the squad for EURO 2008 is 28 May, Leo Beenhakker has announced 31 players that he will consider when making the final decision.

Goalkeepers: Artur Boruc (Celtic Glasgow), Tomasz Kuszczak (Manchester United), Łukasz Fabiański (Arsenal), Wojciech Kowalewski (Kolporter Korona Kielce)

Really, no one would expect anything else here. The first three will probably go to EURO, I reckon, and Kowalewski will stay in Poland.

Defenders: Jacek Bąk (Austria Wien), Arkadiusz Radomski (Austria Wien), Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht Brussels), Paweł Golański (Steaua Bucuresti), Mariusz Jop (FK Moscow), Adam Kokoszka (Wisła Kraków), Jakub Wawrzyniak (Legia Warszawa), Michał Żewłakow (Olympiakos Pireus), Grzegorz Bronowicki (Crvana Zvezda Belgrad)

Marcin Kus is the only defender who played against USA, but he's not on this list.

Midfielders: Dariusz Dudka (Wisła Kraków), Wojciech Łobodziński (Wisła Kraków), Jakub Błaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund), Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafał Murawski (Lech Poznań), Łukasz Garguła (PGE GKS Bełchatów), Jacek Krzynówek (VfL Wolfsburg), Euzebiusz Smolarek (Racing Santander), Radosław Majewski (Groclin Grodzisk Wlkp.), Michał Goliński (Zagłębie Lubin), Michał Pazdan (Górnik Zabrze).

No changes from the match with USA. Only Euzebiusz Smolarek is listed here, not as a striker.

Strikers: Maciej Żurawski (AE Larissa), Tomasz Zahorski (Górnik Zabrze), Radosław Matusiak (Wisła Kraków), Łukasz Piszczek (Hertha Berlin), Marek Saganowski (FC Southampton), Artur Wichniarek (Arminia Bielefeld), Dawid Janczyk (CSKA Moscow).

In the post presenting the squad for the match with USA I was wondering, why Leo Beenhakker doesn't consider Wichniarek and Saganowski. And they're here. We don't see Paweł Brożek (from Wisła Kraków) and it's nothing strange, because this guy has totally lost his chances to go to EURO 2008 in the last match. He was simply pathetic and everyone was afraid that he could be the weakest link of our national team.

The other missing guy is Ireneusz Jeleń (Auxerre). I really have no idea, why Loe Beenhakker is not giving him a chance - he's doing pretty well in Le Championat.

Another name that still may appear on the final list going to be presented on 28th May is Roger Guerreiro (Legia Warszawa). I've written a post about him some time ago - he's from Brazil, but he has applied for Polish citizenship and everyone keeps wondering whether he'll find his place in the squad for EURO 2008, or not.

"Have fun trying to guess the ultimate squad" - said Leo Beenhakker to journalists.

He added, that there's going to be three goalkeepers, eight defenders, ten midfielders (4 wingers, 4 defensive and 2 offensive) and three strikers in the final list.

Poland - USA : 0-3

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:10:19 -0500

20:15 UTC / 22:15 CET / 10:15 NZST

And that would be it. But the good (for Poland in the context of EURO 2008) news is that Austria finally lost to Netherlands 3-4. Germany won with Switzerland 4-0.

So, I wasn't actually able to do live updates throughout the whole match, but I'll do my best to improve during the next match.

19:58 UTC / 21:58 CET / 9:58 NZST

You've got to be kidding me... 0-3 :( Eddie Lewis...

19:25 UTC / 21:25 CET / 9:25 NZST

Polish attack today: Zurawski is running somewhere in the middle of the field, Brozek is waiting for someone to pass him a ball while he's 3 meters from the goal.

19:23 UTC / 21:23 CET / 9:23 NZST

From the other soccer field. Austria is winning with Netherlands

3:1!!!!

Do we still have any chances for qualifying to knockout stage on EURO 2008?

19:15 UTC / 21:15 CET / 9:15 NZST

End of the first half. WE ARE NOT HAPPY!

19:05 UTC / 21:05 CET / 9:05 NZST

Oguchi Onyewu and it seems like we're gonna' have a disaster here: 0-2! Again Landon Donovan - he did a corner kick, Marcin Wasilewski was too slow and Onyewu made Artur Boruc capitulate for the second time in this match.

18:58 UTC / 20:58 CET / 8:58 NZST

Really good try by Jacek Krzynowek, but we're still losing...

18:42 UTC / 20:42 CET / 8:42 NZST

12th minute and Poland is losing after the goal of Carlos Bocanegra who scored after free kick made by Landon Donovan

18:35 UTC / 20:35 CET / 8:35 NZST

Leo Beenhakker surprised everyone again. Euzebiusz Smolarek started the match on the substitute bench just like Lukasz Gargula. Defender of Hertha Berlin Lukasz Piszczek plays as a midfielder. Strikers are: Pawel Brozek and Maciej Zurawski.

Polish line-up: Artur Boruc - Marcin Wasilewski, Jacek Bak, Arkadiusz Radomski, Grzegorz Bronowicki - Lukasz Piszczek, Dariusz Dudka, Mariusz Lewandowski, Jacek Krzynowek - Maciej Zurawski, Pawel Brozek
US line-up: Tim Howard - Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Heath Pearce, Steve Cherundolo - Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Landon Donovan, Ricardo Clark - Brian Ching, Eddie Johnson

18:28 UTC / 20:28 CET / 8:28 NZST

"Some players know that they have to prove me something."- said Leo Beenhakker before the match.

18:25 UTC / 20:25 CET / 8:25 NZST

Polish team during the match with Belgium after which we have qualified to UEFA Euro 2008

18:20 UTC / 20:20 CET / 8:20 NZST

USA players before the match

18:15 UTC / 20:15 CET / 8:15 NZST

15 minutes before the match and I'm going to try something new today - I want to update this post throughout the whole game to keep you informed :) Before the match Polish newspapers write mostly about Danny Szetela - USA player with Polish ancestors, who one day could have decided to play for Poland, but he has chosen USA. Also, some ask why Leo Beenhakker is experimenting with only one defensive midfielder. We will see...

March FIFA ranking

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:15:11 -0500

Since the last FIFA ranking Poland has worsen its position by four places and currently is on 24. position.

On the first twenty positions only Ghana moved from 14. place to 15. and Colombia took Poland's 20. place.

From Polish rivals in UEFA EURO Cup 2008 ranked the highest is Germany - 5th position. Croatia is 12th and Austria - 88th (was 84th).

FIFA ranking for 13th February 2008 (in brackets previous position):

1.	(1.)	Argentina
2.	(2.)	Brazil
3.	(3.)	Italy
4.	(4.)	Spain
5.	(5.)	Germany
6.	(6.)	Czech Republic
7.	(7.)	France
8.	(8.)	Portugal
9.	(9.)	Netherlands
10.	(10.)	Greece
11.	(11.)	England
12.	(12.)	Croatia
13.	(13.)	Romania
14.	(14.)	Scotland
15.	(14.)	Ghana
16.	(16.)	Mexico
17.	(17.)	Cameroon
18.	(18.)	Turkey
19.	(19.)	Bulgaria
20.	(21.)	Colombia
21.	(22.)	Russia
22.	(23.)	Israel
23.	(24.)	Ivory Coast
24.	(20.)	Poland