Devoid of big stars and players from big clubs, Group A is easily the weakest pool of the four comprising of Euro 2004 Champions Greece, co-hosts Poland, unpredictable Russia and the erratic Czech Republic.
Euro 2012: The Contenders – Poland
On form, the Czech Republic are expected to qualify for the second round along with former champions Greece but the Russians led by Andrei Arshavin are no walkovers and with a partisan crowd supporting them, Poland do make Group A much more evenly matched.
Poland:
Poland haven’t played a competitive football match since their dismal qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup, where they finished second from bottom in their group. Being the hosts along with Ukraine, Poland automatically qualified for the Championships where they come into the tournament as the lowest ranked among the 16 teams. Coach Franciszek Smuda has put on one of the youngest teams on offer and despite being in the easiest group, Poland are rank outsiders to qualify from Pool A. There will be 60,000 fervent supporters cheering Poland in the Warsaw International Stadium in the opening game against Greece, and that might just be the inspiration they may be looking for as they look to sneak through to the knockout for the first ever time in their history.
Key Player: The key player for the home team undoubtedly is the star striker Robert Lewandowski, who played a vital role in Borussia Dortmund’s title winning campaign in the Bundesliga. Lewandowski, who is a threat in the air and deadly in the penalty area, would be the key to determine Poland’s progress in the tournament.
Other Stars: Wojciech Szczesny, Ludovic Obraniak
Prediction: Group Stage
Poland couldn’t have asked for a better draw in the tournament but despite that are not likely to progress further in the tournament. With a partisan crowd egging them on, a shock result against the Greece or the Czechs could fetch the Poles a dream quarterfinal place.
Tags: Czech Republic, EURO 2012, Football, Greece, Ludovic Obraniak, Poland, Robert Lewandowski, Russia, Soccer, Wojciech Szczesny
