A play-off penalty shootout win in March saw Michel Probierz lead Poland to the Euro 2024, and that means we’ll see Robert Lewandowski and co. in Germany for the four-week festival of football.
I say four weeks, but Poland are one of those nations who need to combine their best game with more than a little luck to negotiate the group stage. They have landed in Group D with favourites France, the Netherlands and Austria, and, as the third-ranked nation in the group, ahead of Austria in the latest FIFA listings, Poland have a seriously tough task ahead.
They are twice World Cup semi-finalists and were quarter-finalists at Euro 2016, so this is a nation with plenty of big tournament success, and with a new manager making waves and some world-class talent in their ranks, Poland could be dangerous dark horses.
Probierz brings back the feel-good factor
After Poland put up a decent showing at the World Cup in Qatar, losing to eventual finalists France in the Round of 16, Fernando Santos was appointed as head coach with the target of delivering a successful Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
But losses to the Czech Republic, Moldova and Albania put their hopes in serious jeopardy and Santos was sacked, to be replaced by former Poland U21 coach Michal Probierz.
And since his appointment in September, the 51-year-old has overseen an unbeaten run of three wins and three draws, and that gave Poland a chance to qualify for Euro 2024 through the play-off route.
Probierz’ team faced Wales in the play-offs and, after a goalless draw in Cardiff, keeper Wojciech Szczesny was the hero as he saved a spot-kick from Dan James to take the Poles through to their fifth successive Euros. Now they have the challenge of seeing off either France or the Netherlands to continue their journey.
This is a fascinating group and here at SBOTOP, we’ll be all over the action with reports, previews and the very best range of Euro 2024 betting odds.
Probierz was a combative midfielder as a player, and as a manager, he has operated in his home country, winning the Polish Cup and the Polish Super Cup twice. This is a step up for the coach, but, so far, he has made an impressive start, instilling belief into his players, and now he needs to keep the momentum going.
Poland’s big hitters
The Netherlands and particularly Didier Deschamps’ France are widely fancied to make it through to the knockout phase, but both Poland and Austria will have plenty to say in this group. And Poland have quality running through their squad, starting with Juventus keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who, at 34 years of age, is still in his prime as a keeper, as he proved in the penalty shootout against Wales.
His quick reflexes, shot-stopping ability and distribution make him the all-round modern goalkeeper, and Szczesny eradicated the mistakes that dogged his early career at Arsenal. There will also be a place in the squad for Nice’s 24-year-old keeper, Marci Bulka, who has just won the Ligue 1 Golden Glove with 17 clean sheets this season.
Arsenal wingback Jakub Kiwior has enjoyed a promising first season in the Premier League, largely on the flank, but he can also operate at centre-back.
With his 6 ft 2in height, he is strong in the air and has plenty of pace. The 24-year-old is tough on the tackle, but with his speed, visions and passing range, he is also a danger on the attack.
Napoli star Piotr Zielinski will be the lynchpin in the Poland midfield, linking defence with attack and controlling the pace of play. The 30-year-old Scudetto winner is a cultured operator who makes the game look easy, but he also has the inner steel to make him a formidable midfield opponent. And he chips in with his fair share of goals, scoring 37 in 261 appearances for Napoli and 11 in 88 for Poland.
Another player likely to make some entertaining Euro 2024 highlights is Roma’s exciting 22-year-old Nicola Zalewski, who operates as a winger but can also play at wingback. Born and raised in Italy by Polish parents, he chose to represent the country of his family, and that is good news for Probierz.
And then there is the great Robert Lewandowski. Now 35, the Poland captain has the most caps (148) and the most goals (82) in his nation’s history, and he is still one of the most lethal strikers in world football. But Lewi has had to settle for a runner-up medal with Barcelona this season and disappointment in the Champions League after a controversial exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Poland talisman would dearly love to get some revenge when he meets Les Bleus and Kylian Mbappe at the Euros!
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