UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Poland
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Poland.
Poland reached this summer’s Euro via the qualifying playoffs where, astonishingly, they defeated Wales in penalty kicks despite not registering a single shot on target during the match. Although they are making their fifth consecutive Euro appearance, Poland struggled during qualifying, and with France, the Netherlands and Austria in their group, the Poles are in for a challenge in Group D.
Euro Appearances
This will be Poland’s fifth European Championship appearance. Their first came in 2008 and they have qualified for every Euro since then.
Best Finish at the Euros
Poland reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2016 where they fell in penalties to the eventual champions Portugal. Poland has failed to get out of the group stage in every other edition they have featured in.
Key players
This should go without saying, but Robert Lewandowski is Poland’s man. The Barcelona striker has 82 goals in 148 appearances for the national team. Despite being 35 years old, he is still the nation’s goalscoring talisman, and he will be crucial to Poland’s success during the tournament.
Arkadiusz Milik also gives the Poles another goalscoring threat. With Poland usually playing with a 3-5-2 formation, the Juventus striker will join Lewandowski up top and will provide the Poles with a dangerous striker duo.
Napoli’s Piotr Zieliński is the main man in the Polish midfield. Other important midfielders include Nicola Zalewski, Jakub Moder and Przemysław Frankowski. Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior and Southampton’s Jan Bednarek will lead things in defense, while the brick wall that is Wojciech Szczęsny will try to keep the ball out of the Poland net.
Manager
Michał Probierz got promoted from Poland U-21 Head Coach in 2023 after the dismissal of former manager Fernando Santos. He led Poland to this summer’s Euro after knocking out Estonia and Wales in the qualifying playoffs and will now look to stun Group D and help Poland advance to the knockout stages for only the second time.
Biggest Group Game – vs Austria on June 21
It is a tall order to expect Poland to defeat France and the Netherlands. Realistically, if Poland wants to advance, they are going to have to defeat Austria to get a vital three points. This will be a difficult game for the Poles as Austria is a very capable team, but if they want to advance to the knockout stages, this is one that they are going to have to win.
Prediction
Do not expect to see Poland get out of the group. With France, the Netherlands and Austria standing in their way, it is highly unlikely that the Poles will get the points they need to advance. They have the capability of causing mayhem, especially with Lewandowski on top, but realistically, Poland will likely finish bottom of Group D.
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