Poland’s national football team enters Euro 2024 under the management of Michal Probierz, with a sense of cautious optimism tempered by past disappointments. Fans have become accustomed to a recurring pattern of underperformance, which is reflected in a popular chant that translates to “nothing ever changes.” This phrase encapsulates the collective sentiment of Polish supporters who have witnessed their team struggle in major tournaments. The group stage draw adds to their woes, pitting Poland against formidable opponents: the Netherlands, Austria, and France.
Robert Lewandowski, the team’s captain and star player, remains a crucial figure despite recent dips in his scoring form. At Barcelona, he netted 19 goals in 35 La Liga matches—his lowest tally since his first season at Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, Lewandowski’s role has evolved to emphasize team play over individual glory. His experience and leadership are invaluable, especially considering Poland’s tough journey through the qualifiers. They secured their Euro 2024 spot via the playoffs, after finishing third in their group behind Albania and the Czech Republic.
Road to Euro 2024: A Narrow Escape
Poland’s qualification campaign for Euro 2024 was fraught with challenges. They ended third in Group E, behind Albania and the Czech Republic, with a record of three wins, two draws, and three losses. This performance underscored the team’s inconsistency and struggles against higher-ranked opponents. The decisive moment came in the playoffs where they first dismantled Estonia 5-1 in the semi-finals. The final against Wales was a nail-biter, ultimately decided by a penalty shootout. Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny emerged as the hero, saving Dan James’ penalty to secure a 5-4 victory.
The playoffs highlighted Poland’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, but also exposed their vulnerabilities. Manager Michal Probierz favors a 3-5-1-1 formation, aiming to dominate the midfield and disrupt the opponent’s play. This strategy has yielded mixed results; it succeeded domestically but faltered on the world stage, as seen in the World Cup matches against Argentina and France. Probierz’s tactical acumen and the squad’s ability to adapt will be crucial as they face Europe’s elite teams in the group stage.
Group Stage Prospects: A Daunting Path Ahead
Poland’s path in Euro 2024 begins with a challenging opener against the Netherlands, followed by a critical second match against Austria, and concluding with a daunting encounter against France. The group stage draw is reminiscent of the saying associated with Polish tournament football: the first game is an ‘opener,’ the second is ‘for it all,’ and the third is ‘for honor.’ This mindset suggests a pragmatic approach where the team aims to secure a vital win in the second match to keep their hopes alive.
The opening match against the Netherlands is expected to be a stern test, given the Dutch side’s strength and form. The subsequent match against Austria is pivotal; a win here could significantly boost Poland’s chances of progressing to the knockout stages. Historically, Poland has struggled in these make-or-break games, but with Lewandowski, Szczesny, Jakub Kiwor, and Piotr Zielinski in the lineup, they possess the talent to defy expectations. The final group match against France, one of the tournament favorites, will likely be the toughest, potentially serving as a decider for Poland’s tournament fate.
Poland’s Euro 2024 journey is set to be a challenging one. The team’s performance will hinge on strategic execution, individual brilliance, and perhaps a bit of luck. Fans will hope that this time, something indeed changes.
POLAND EURO 2024 FIXTURES
Group D
Sunday, June 16: Poland v Netherlands, 2pm (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg)
Friday, June 21: Poland v Austria, 5pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)
Tuesday, June 25: France v Poland, 5pm (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund)
POLAND EURO 2024 SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Marcin Bulka, Lukasz Skorupski, Wojciech Szczesny, Oliwier Zych.
DEFENDERS: Jan Bednarek, Bartosz Bereszynski, Pawel Bochniewicz, Pawel Dawidowicz, Jakub Kiwior, Tymoteusz Puchacz, Bartosz Salamon, Sebastian Walukiewicz
MIDFIELDERS: Kamil Grosicki, Piotr Zielenski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Sebastian Szymanski, Jakub Moder, Damian Szymanski, Nicola Zalewksi, Bartosz Slisz, Michal Skoras, Jakub Piotrowksi, Taras Romanczuk, Kacper Urbański
FORWARDS: Adam Buksa, Robert Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik, Krzysztof Piatek, Karol Swiderski
