POLAND
WORLD RANKING: 65
TEAM CAPTAIN: Jakub Blaszczyknowski
BEST EURO RESULT: Group Stage (2008)
THE LOWDOWN
The co-hosts head into Friday's tournament opening match as the underdogs in Group A. The Poles dress a relatively young and inexperienced team, possessing the dynamic duo of Jakub Blaszezyknowski and Robert Lewandowski, who led Borussia Dortmund to a 2nd straight German Bundesliga title this year and Arsenal's #1 goal keeper Wojciech Szczesny. Home field advantage and a 3 match win streak coming into the tournament will boost the "White Eagles" chances, but with their first 2 games against the group's two best teams (Greece & Russia) expect Poland to bow out in the first stage of the tournament. Don't worry Team Poland fans, this young team will only get better with time and this Euro 2012 experience. Watch for Poland to make major strides in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Wojciech Szczesny
The 22 year old Szczesny has cemented himself as the starting keeper for both his club team Arsenal and the Czech National team. With 10 international caps under his belt, the 6 foot 5 inch custodian will need to use every inch of his frame to keep goals out if the Poles have any chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. Despite having a formidable striker/winger partnership with Lewandowski and Blaszezyknowski, the real issue for Poland will be keeping the ball out of the net. Cracks are destined to appear in the Polish defense, so Szczesny will have to take his game to another level to keep Poland's hopes alive.
The 22 year old Szczesny has cemented himself as the starting keeper for both his club team Arsenal and the Czech National team. With 10 international caps under his belt, the 6 foot 5 inch custodian will need to use every inch of his frame to keep goals out if the Poles have any chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. Despite having a formidable striker/winger partnership with Lewandowski and Blaszezyknowski, the real issue for Poland will be keeping the ball out of the net. Cracks are destined to appear in the Polish defense, so Szczesny will have to take his game to another level to keep Poland's hopes alive.
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| Wojciech Szczesny |
PREDICTION: 4th in Group A
UP NEXT: RUSSIA
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