Poland The Story so far Poland The Story so far

To many casual observers, perhaps the Mark McGwire Jersey most surprising fact about Polands World Cup campaign is that they are not in the same group as England. The Poles have been an almost ever-present fixture in Englands qualifying campaigns for major tournaments in the last 40 years. Indeed, it was after qualification from a group containing England that Poland went on to have their finest World Cup hour, as they finished 3rd in the 1974 competition in Germany. The names of Gregorz Lato and Andrezj Szarmach are still lauded to this day, with the former earning the Golden Boot in that tournament.Fast forward 35 years and the goals appear to be flowing as thick and fast as ever. The ten goals Poland put past a poor San Marino side added to 8 scored in their previous five matches. Ebi Smolarek, who scored four against San Marino, has six so far in the qualifying campaign, ranks only behind Edin Dzeko of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the list of top scorers in the European qualifying contest to date. Given that Polands attacking options are decidedly limited compared to those of their more illustrious predece sors, the 18 goals they have knocked in demonstrate a unity on the ball present in few other national teams, when the short training time before each game can often lead to disjointed team performances, and excellent individual play shining.That Poland have found a togetherne s in their play is at once unsurprising and a relief to their fans. A country with Rickey Henderson Jersey a strong identity formed through both Germanic and Communist oppre sion, Polish nationalism comes alive through its sport. Smolarek has yet to find the net in his time at Bolton, and with his loan spell coming to an end at the end of the season, could struggle to make a Reggie Jackson Jersey move to a major European league. In midfield, Mariusz Lewandowski has just won the Uefa Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk, yet he is an exception to the rule, that as far as outfield players are concerned, Poland do not have a lot of star players. The likes of Gregorsz Rasiak and Marek Saganowski have tried and failed to make a significant impre sion in English football.It is therefore of great credit to the players and staff of the Polish team that they have made the start they have to the World Cup qualifying campaign. Leo Beenhakkers men sit in 3rd place in Group 3, sitting in behind Northern Ireland and Slovakia. If it was not for some questionable defending then the Poles would undoubtedly be higher in the table, having conceded 3 against the Irish and a further 2 away in Bratislava. It is perhaps ironic that the individual flair of Lato and co has been replaced by a seemingly endle s production line of quality young goalkeepers. Celtics Artur Boruc, at fault awfully for Northern Irelands opener in Belfast, is Khris Davis Jersey a generally consistent performer and has earned the love of the green half of Glasgow. Tomasz Kusczak and Lukas Fabianski may warm the bench in the Premier League, but they do so for two of the top four sides in the land.Yet despite having built a strong platform for qualification, many obstacles lie ahead for the Poles. Defeat against the Irish at home in their next fixture in September would all but end hopes of qualification for Andrew Triggs Jersey the last major tournament before the Polish people play host to Euro 2012. In addition, away matches in Slovenia and the Czech Republic, as well as a potentially tricky final home game against the Slovaks makes the eradication of the defensive frailties that have been all too prevalent thus far a nece sity.Group 3 is really too tight to call, but provided that Smolarek continues to show his Poland form rather than his Bolton form, Poland have as good a chance as any other team in their group not only of qualifying, but as group winners. Who knows, maybe England will await them in South Africa?