After the ridiculous training session, I believed Poland would gain little from facing the Czech Republic on Saturday. Seems I was wrong, as Poland did the unthinkable just like they did 2 years ago, defeat a world class team. Like against Portugal, Poland took control of the match early on and pressured until the score was 2:0 in favor for them. Indeed, something that you don’t see everyday from the Bialo-czerwoni, such as beautiful collective passing, and defending. Yes, the defense did have a good game. The Polish defense, which embarrassed itself in two major tournaments before made itself look like a brick wall at times. I was shocked and impressed as everyone when I witnessed this. This game truly was a flash of the past!
At the moment I am in Warsaw which I had just arrived to yesterday. Having gone to the Czech match live in Chorzow I can’t explain how amazing the atmosphere was there. The stadium was truly wrapped in red & white that faithful night, and it was a match that I will keep with me. The game itself? What can I say, very well done to the Polish NT. I was very impressed with them, but mostly of the offense. Most hardcore Polish fans know how weak the Polish NT offense has been throughout the years, more troubling then it’s quirky defense. However, like against Portugal 2 years ago the whole team stood up and said, “We had enough”. Roger Guerreiro with his quick wit created many goal scoring opportunities, one which resulted with Jakub Blaszczykowski scoring the second goal which finished the Czechs once and for all. Hopefully Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez saw this match as Kuba was the man of the match of it.The young
Pole was a work horse all night, scoring a goal and even assisting on the first goal, which Pawel Brozek took. The Wisla striker has had a bad rap with Leo Beenhakker since he took over, but on Saturday night Brozek proved the old man he can score. A player only known for scoring inside the box (and barely I might add) blasted one bulls eye of a low shot from outside the box on Petr Cech to start us off. Before he was written off the NT by many, but now with that one goal he may still have a second chance to prove himself as the striker this NT needs to lead them.
Other players which impressed was Rafal Murawski, which we all know only performs well in a Lech Poznan shirt. Fortunatly for us he played just as well with a white and red shirt on. The guy was all over the place, a quality midfielder which I and many other fans expected him to be, and hope to see the same from him against Slovakia. Another impressing player was Jacek Krzynowek, who played left-back. In training he didn’t manage to show it, but in the actual match he performed quite well in the role with plenty of confidence. With his tendancy to go upfront where the action is he provided some much needed pressure at times. I was actually more suprised by him rather then little Ebi Smolarek. It just wasn’t his match, everytime I looked at where he was or what he was doing he was getting tossed around by the bigger guys in the Czech defense. He provided little upfront, but let’s not go overboard and say he was useless. No, far from it, he helped on a few occasions, but I think if he had been on better form he would have been more dynamic for us like against Portugal. Too bad that he might not play against the Slovaks for us, that game would have been a good time to repise his role of leadership on the NT. Jakub Wawrzyniak also put in a decent performance for us in defense, and will be sadly injured for next game. Krzynowek will have to step in for him, or the ‘Polish Cannavaro’ Tomasz Jodlowiec. Another player which will be missing against Slovakia is big ol’ Artur Boruc, who played an excellent game with the Czech Republic will have to be left out because of a minor groin injury. Good thing we still have the just as good Lukasz Fabianski to substitute him. After Saturdays game, I look forward to the game on Wednesday for us to collect another beautiful 3 points. I just hope we do it with some class like against the Czechs. Let’s try to stay away from victories like against San Marino…
POLAND 2-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
1-0 Brozek 27′
2-0 Blaszczykowski 53`
2-1 Fenin 87`






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