How Poland qualified for Euro 2012
Back on 18 April 2007, history was made when UEFA’s Executive Committee chose Poland as co-hosts of Euro 2012. The meeting took place in Cardiff. Poland’s joint bid with Ukraine received favour while competitors Croatia and Hungary suffered disappointment.
This summer’s event will mark Poland’s first ever hosting of the European Championship.
Who is Poland’s coach?
Only a few football fans may know of Franciszek Smuda but the 63-year-old is actually one of the most experienced managers alive. The former Polish defender played at 10 different clubs during his 12-year career. Smuda spent part of his life in the USA where he represented Vistula Garfield, Oakland Stompers, Los Angeles Aztecs and San Jose Earthquakes.
The current Poland manager started his coaching career in 1983 with VfR Coburg and went on to try his luck in 15 other club football teams. He experienced 3 stints at Widzew Lodz and was appointed at Wisla Krakow twice.
He led both clubs to glory in the Polish Championship and helped the former reach the 1996 UEFA Champions League group stages. With Lech Poznan, Smuda won the 2008/09 Polish Cup. The team finished 3rd in the 2008/09 Polish league and qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Cup.
The illustrious Polish man had long been linked with the Poland national team job. In October 2009, Franciszek Smuda finally became Poland’s coach.
What does Poland’s Euro 2012 history say?
Poland did not qualify for European Championship football until 2008 when Austria and Switzerland co-hosted the competition. They suffered disappoint in their debut as they crashed out in the first round.
Euro 2012 will see Poland participate in their second consecutive European Championship. Having qualified as co-hosts, they will be out to upset giants with the help of their home supporters. In the 1970s and in the 1980s, Poland were a bigger force in world football.
During that period, they won a couple of FIFA World Cup bronze medals, 1 Summer Olympics gold medal and 1 Summer Olympics silver medal. The current generation of players could make their nation proud again during Euro 2012.
Poland’s Euro 2012 squad
Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczesny, Przemyslaw Tyton, Grzegorz Sandomierski
Defenders: Lukasz Piszczek, Marcin Wasilewski, Jakub Wawrzyniak, Marcin Kaminski, Grzegorz Wojtkowiak, Sebastian Boenisch, Damien Perquis
Midfielders: Eugen Polanski, Dariusz Dudka, Adam Matuszczyk, Adrian Mierzejewski, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Ludovic Obraniak, Maciej Rybus, Kamil Grosicki, Rafal Murawski, Rafal Wolski
Forwards: Robert Lewandowski, Artur Sobiech, Pawel Brozek
Who are Poland’s Euro 2012 group opponents?
Co-hosts Poland are in Group A. They will kick off their campaign against Greece. Poland will meet Russia then the Czechs in their last group games.
Poland’s group matches schedule
June 8, 2012: Poland vs Greece – National Stadium, Warsaw
June 12, 2012: Poland vs Russia – National Stadium, Warsaw
June 16, 2012: Czech Republic vs Poland – Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw
More on Poland’s live streaming and TV schedule info page.
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Poland are 62nd in the world. The 2006 FIFA World Cup participants enjoyed their highest FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking in September 2007 as they occupied the 16th spot. In March 2012, Poland had their lowest FIFA ranking (75th).
