Poland – San Marino: Impossible is Nothing

Even after a disgusting dinner, a good afternoon snack can make you feel better. At least in theory… Match in Belfast was particularly hideous meal. Can anything improve our aftertaste now? Frankly, I doubt. Since the Slovakia game I was waiting for a NI match to regain faith in our team. To become convinced we have not forgotten how to play soccer. As you can imagine, I am not convinced. Is there a possibility that a game against San Marino will convince me? Not at all. It can only make me feel worse if things go bad.

Northern Ireland – Poland: What the hell was that?

No words can describe how I feel right now. Maybe that is why it has taken me so long to make a post. Maybe I just needed to reflect a little bit more on the disaster that was seen today in Belfast where Poland pretty much kissed good-bye any hopes of making the 2010 World Cup. Maybe I just needed some time because if I had posted earlier, my post wouldn’t make any sense and I’d most likely get in deep trouble with my bosses over the foul language.

The Irek Jelen Show

If you have not seen Jelen’s goal against Le Mans, you should do so. The video is below.  What you’ll see (if you’ll share my point of view of course) is nice technique, flair and composure (and a nice assist by Dariusz Dudka too!). Some of you might remember Irek’s performances at World Cup 2006 in Germany. He was, next to Boruc, our only player who represented Poland proudly enough to deserve call ups in future. Instead, he was somewhat forgotten and pushed to sit in the shade. Undeservedly in my humble opinion.

Back from the future (past?) with Poland

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!

Polish footy dodgeball, anyone?

Polish SOCA! LA sent me to Poland on Tuesday to report on the NT training session. I was lucky enough to get a lot closer to some of the real action then some other Polish journalists, and even got to chat up with some of the players. That being said, I have to be brutally honest, I wasn’t expecting much. I knew when I was told I’d be packing my bags for Wronki, Poland that it be nothing like a Brazilian NT training camp, or any of that sort. No it was… well different. Sometimes I was shocked, sometimes I was drunk, because well you have to be to appreciate the Polish NT.

Call-ups for Czech/Slovakia games

Leo Beenhakker made his call-ups for the next two games today with no big surprises. Much of his picks were already speculated earlier by the media, and even hinted by PZPN head, Michal Listkiewicz. The only small surprise is that Lukasz Gargula didn’t make the cut. Why is that? Because he was replaced by the already injured Radoslaw Majewski. Well sure, it doesn’t make any sense when it comes out of my mouth… but I’m sure if Leo was to say it, it would sound like a good move, or not. What we have here my friends is a typical Polish A-team call up for some qualifiers. Same shit, just different players.