Having previously cast on eye over the prospects of both the Czech Republic and Greece, it’s time to continue the analysis of Group A in our Euro 2012 round-up. Next up, then, we turn our attentions to co-hosts Poland.
Franciszek Smuda’s side get the tournament underway on Friday June 8 with a showdown against Greece at 5pm. Following that, they pit their wits against Russia in Warsaw on June 12 at 7.45pm before facing up to the Czech Republic in their final group game, which takes place four days later on Saturday 16 June at 7.45pm.
With none of the tournament’s big names involved, this is anyone’s group to win. Greece won their qualifying group ahead of favourites Croatia, unbeaten with seven wins from 10 matches. Russia pipped the Republic of Ireland to top spot in their group by a couple of points, while the Czech Republic cruised past Montenegro in the play-off after finishing second to Spain.
The Friendlies
Poland have played nine friendlies since last August in preparation for next month’s big event, with two more – against Macedonia and Turkey – to follow on May 26 and June 2 respectively. Smuda’s men have tasted defeat just the once over those matches, going down 2-0 to Italy; draws against Germany and Portugal are testament to their capabilities, while four of those games ended in victory. Poland picked up four clean sheets, scoring more than one goal four times and conceding more than one on three occasions. After tinkering with the system and trialling several players over those friendlies, Smuda now seems settled on a 4-2-3-1 system as the best way forward.
Most Appearances: Blaszczykowski, Dudka & Mierzejewski (all 8), Brozek, Wawrziniak, Peszko, Wasilewski, Matuszczyk (all 7)
Most Goals: Blaszczykowski (4), Lewandowski (3), Brozek (2)
Most Assists: Lewandowski (2)
The Likely Lads
Poland have a trio of Borussia Dortmund players to boost their bid for home success. Fresh from winning the German league and cup double, Lukasz Piszczek looks the best value from their backline – the right-back comes in at 5.0 in the McDonalds game, the same price as Wojciech Szczesny, though has an ownership of 8.8% in comparison to the keeper’s 18.1%. With four goals and seven assists in a superb Bundesliga campaign, Piszczek offers far more attacking potential than any of his defensive team mates.
Jakub Blaszczykowski also replicates his Dortmund role, playing wide right in a 4-2-3-1; his understanding with Piszczek on the flank will clearly be advantageous to Poland. Priced at 7.5, Blaszczykowski is the priciest of the Poles’ midfield options but the skipper was top scorer in those recent friendlies and, in addition to taking his fair share of free-kicks and corners, also stepped up for both penalties awarded over those nine games. The only question mark here is that Robert Lewandowski was subbed off before Blaszczykowski netted from the spot against Germany, while the latter missed a spot-kick against Italy after Lewandowski received lengthy treatment for the foul leading up to the award.
Robert Lewandowski heads into the tournament on the back of a sensational domestic season. The forward grabbed 22 goals and eight assists for Jürgen Klopp’s all-conquering Dortmund and finished the campaign by firing a hat-trick in the 5-2 German Cup Final win over Bayern Munich. Lewandowski managed six appearances over the afore-mentioned friendlies and demonstrated just how crucial he is likely to be, with three goals and a couple of assists. Priced at 8.0, he carries the hopes of the hosts on his shoulders more than any other Poland player.
Cheeky Punt
French-born centre-half Damien Perquis was one of the stand-out stars in the recent goalless draw with Portugal, receiving plenty plaudits for his assured display at the back. Plying his trade for Ligue 1 side Sochaux, Perquis has fully recovered from a recent elbow injury to take his place in the provisional squad named by Smuda in the early stages of this month. Priced at 4.5 and with a 0.4% ownership, he offers a cut-price route into the co-hosts’ defence, for those Fantasy managers looking for a budget option.
Voted the best player in the Polish Ekstraklasa in the 2010/11 season, the creative endeavours of Adrian Mierzejewski helped clinch the midfielder a move to Trabzonspor in the campaign gone by. Priced at 7.0, he’s likely to play on the left of the midfield three and shares corner kicks with Blaszczykowski, in addition to taking his share of free-kicks. Mierzejewski looks a nailed-on starter, taking part in all but one of Poland’s nine friendlies – the only absence was due to Smuda’s decision to field a Polish-based XI for the clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina back in December.
12 years, 1 month agook so 13 million for a defender and mid do I go a)
Pizsczcek + Walcott
Boateng + Obraniak/Mierzejewski
Agger/Rakistki + Błaszczykowski