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Viva la Espana! Champions of Europe!

Re-live the Euro 2008 Championship by selecting a match below or visiting the dedicated site Euro2008TV.com for articles, photos, and video highlights of your favorite team.

 

Poland Euro 2008 Online Streams and TV Schedules

#Date	Time (US/Eastern)	Match	Result	Stage	Venue
Jun-08	02:30pm	Germany - Poland	2:0	Group B	Klagenfurt
Jun-12	02:30pm	Austria - Poland	1:1	Group B	Basel
Jun-16	02:30pm	Poland - Croatia	0:1	Group B	Klagenfurt

Poland at Euro 2008

	Group B Austria Croatia Germany Poland View all group B details

Debutants eager to make an impression

When Poland produced their best performance of the most recent World Cup against hosts Germany, they showed glimpses of the form that had led their ardent fans to expect so much. Having lost the opening game 2-0 to Ecuador, the Poles had to at least get a point from their encounter with Germany to hold any hope of progressing to the next round. In the end, Germany broke them down in the dying stages of the game to win 1-0, and a team that had promised so much was sent home packing.   At least the Polish fans can take solace in the fact that their country has qualified for their first European Championship. Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker has transformed this Poland side from an erratic bunch to a formidable side. During qualification, Poland defeated Portugal 2-1, which was an emphatic announcement of intent: Poland are definitely not going to Euro2008 to make up the numbers. Beenhakker must, however, ensure that his team heed the lessons of World Cup 2006 well. Poland played their opening game of that tournament with too much arrogance, and Ecuador duly punished them. That their first game is against Germany, with whom they have both a turbulent history and cultural ties, will ensure they come out focused and raring to go.

How Poland qualified

Poland looked in real danger of missing out on Euro2008 until their six-match unbeaten run, which left even Portugal in its wake. In the end they finished on top of quite a tough group, which, apart from Portugal, contained Serbia and Montenegro, Finland, and Belgium.

How Poland play

Poland play a 4-4-2 system in which Artur Boruc is the outstanding goalkeeper. The thirty-four-year-old Jacek Bak is the mainstay in defence, while Rados?aw Sobolewski and Jakub Blaszczykowski are the regulars in midfield. Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski is an undisputed choice in attack, though Euzebiusz Smolarek was far more impressive during qualification.

About the coach

The sixty-five year old Beenhakker is one of the most successful coaches in the sport. He had stints with Ajax and Real Madrid at club level, and his Trinidad and Tobago team was the thorn in both Sweden’s and England’s side during the last World Cup. Beenhakker is renowned for making his teams play to their full potential—and, as Trinidad and Tobago will testify, sometimes even beyond.

Key players

Artur Boruc - The 28-year-old is a phenomenal shot-stopper. Tall and quick, Boruc commands his area with aplomb. It is no wonder that top European clubs have inquired about his services. Maciej Zurawski - Though he only scored one goal in thirteen appearances during the qualifiers, Zurawski remains a regular fixture for Poland. With a dismal showing at World Cup 2006 (he did not score), Zurawski will have maybe a final chance to prove his mettle.

Star player

Euzebiusz Smolarek – Smolarek notched up nine goals in the qualifying campaign. The striker, who can also play as an attacking midfielder, will be Beenhakker’s most potent weapon in attack.

Verdict

If Poland can get a point from their opening game against Germany, they could pip Croatia to second spot in the group. However, that seems a tall order, and a first round exit looms for the Poles.

Article by Hasan Saiyid

Poland Euro 2008 News

• OECD Upgrades Poland's GDP Projection, '09 Growth Seen +1.4% (Nasdaq)
  WARSAW -(Dow Jones)- The Polish economy will grow by 1.4% this year, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Thursday, upgrading its forecast for the country's gross domestic product from a contraction of 0.4% previously.
• Football: Super Spanish maul Austrians (sportal.com.au)
  Superb Spain bounced back from an early deficit to put 10-man Austria to the sword 5-1 in a one-sided international friendly at the Ernst-Happel Stadion in Vienna.
• Wizard Hiddink's magic wears off - what next? (Russian Information Agency Novosti)
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• Friday Links: Henry believes replay would be fair, Keane slams Ireland, Beckham may not be fit for final (TheScore.com)
                                    Henry’s Handball + Fifa has ruled that the controversial World Cup qualifying match between Ireland and France will not be replayed . + Thierry Henry believes a replay would be the 'fairest solution' to the continuing furore over the handball that beat the Republic. "Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who ...
• Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995 (KYIV Post)
  Poltava-based Aerocopter, which designed and builds the AK 1-3 chopper (above), has been purchaed by a Dubai-based group. (UNIAN) Dubai group buys Ukrainian chopper plant; Dubai mulls buying Ukrainian planes; Tycoon seeks $8 billion in damages from Ukraine; Retail sales decline; Gazprom: Won’t fine Ukraine's Naftogaz; EBRD delays $300 million loan to Naftogaz; State railway defaults on Barclays ...
• Steven Beacom: Healy and Worthy need to deliver in Euro qualifiers (Belfast Telegraph)
  Saturday’s match at Windsor Park summed up Northern Ireland in 2009 — plenty of effort, endeavour and promise but ultimately not much to show for it. Related Stories Deal Nigel in and Northern Ireland will be flush, says Hughes Brunt eyes success in next Euro campaign Wales 3 Scotland 0 Brazil 1 England 0 Disheartened Foster and injured James concern Capello
• Steven Beacom: Healy and Worthy need to deliver in Euro qualifiers (Belfast Telegraph)
  Saturday’s match at Windsor Park summed up Northern Ireland in 2009 — plenty of effort, endeavour and promise but ultimately not much to show for it. Related Stories Healy faces new challenge after Northern Ireland axe I have to quit Cardiff to feel good again: Feeney Deal Nigel in and Northern Ireland will be flush, says Hughes Brunt eyes success in next Euro campaign Henry’s hooray can wait