Poland eye strong start

Poland midfielder Eugen Polanski believes a fast start to the European Championships against Greece is vital for his under-rated side.

Coming into the tournament, Poland may be one of the host nations, but with a FIFA ranking of number 65 in the world, they are a long way behind their Group A opponents Russia (world number 11), Greece (14) and Czech Republic (26).

Although Greece won the 2004 European Championships, Group A is without all the major favourites for this year’s competition in Spain, Germany, France and Italy.

And, with such an open group, 26-year-old Mainz midfielder Polanski believes getting a fast start may just be enough to take his side through to the quarter-finals.

“It’s important to win the first game and start the tournament with three points,” Polanski said.

“Once we achieve this, we will focus on other challenges that lie ahead.

“For the time being, there’s not much I can say about our upcoming game with Greece, all I know is that they are tough opponents, with remarkable defensive skills.

“But we will cause them some problems as well – that’s for sure.”

It is only the second time Poland have competed at the European Championships, having made their maiden appearance in 2008, with the co-hosts looking to improve on that effort where they were knocked out in the group stages.

Although they boast some serious talent in Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski and midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski, who is also the Polish skipper, goalkeeper Grzegorz Sandomierski said the Poles cannot simply rely on their stars to shine if they hope to advance.

“We all realise that, for us, we could be involved in this tournament for the whole month,” Sandomierski said.

“That is why we all have to be prepared to come out onto the pitch at any time and try to make that one decisive pass, to score or to make a save.

“The fate of the whole tournament might be in the hands of one person in this team.

“We are aware that we will all be useful at some point, if not on the pitch, then outside, where we must stay strong psychologically.

“We have to support each other. It is crucial for this team to be absolutely united.

“Only then will we be able to achieve a number of great things.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/poland-eye-strong-start/95882/

Schweinsteiger on track for Euro 2012

Bastian Schweinsteiger has returned to full training with the rest of the Germany squad, participating in an open session on Monday.

Joachim Loew’s side arrived in Poland on Monday ahead of Euro 2012 and waited just three hours before starting their first training session at Lechia Gdansk Stadium.

The Bayern Munich midfielder joined up with the squad a week ago following his involvement in the Champions League final.

Schweinsteiger missed the 5-3 loss to Switzerland as he was still nursing a thigh injury.

However, the 27-year-old was given the all clear by the team’s medical staff to take part in the session, with Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff confirming his return.

“The health department has given the green light.” Bierhoff said. “He can train normally again.”

The Euro 2008 runners-up will stay in Poland, despite their group matches being held in Ukraine, and Bierhoff thanked the locals for their warm welcome.

“We have been extremely well received and have excellent conditions. We look forward to the time in Poland and now ever say thank you for your hospitality,” Bierhoff said.

Germany begin their Euro 2012 campaign against Portugal on June 9, before playing the Netherlands and Denmark.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/schweinsteiger-on-track-for-euro-2012/95873/

Germany arrive in Poland for Euros

The Germany squad have arrived in Poland four days before their opening Euro 2012 match.

Joachim Loew’s men arrived in Gdansk on Monday, where the team will be based for the tournament.

After checking in at the hotel, Germany had their first training on Polish soil at a local stadium in front of 10,000 spectators.

All 23 players took part in the practice session, including Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has suffered a series of fitness issues recently.

The Bayern Munich star has been passed fit for Germany’s Euro 2012 opener against Portugal on Saturday.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/germany-arrive-in-poland-for-euros/95864/

Szczesny expecting Poland to fire

Wojciech Szczesny believes Poland have assembled their strongest squad for years ahead of Euro 2012.

As one of the host nations, Poland qualified automatically for the competition but will face a stern test in Group A against Russia, Czech Republic and Greece.

Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny says there is a confident mood in the squad ahead of the tournament and hopes the team can live up to their own expectations.

“It’s all there for us to go and have a successful tournament – I think it’s the strongest Poland team the fans have seen for years so hopefully we won’t let them down,” Szczesny said.

“I think Poland have a chance of doing well. The atmosphere around the national team has changed a bit and people have realised that we actually have world-class players.”

Szczesny singled out Borussia Dortmund trio Jakub Blaszczykowski, Lukasz Piszczek and Robert Lewandowski as three key players for the Poles ahead of the tournament.

The 22-year-old believes their quality and experience will be vital, after their success in helping Dortmund to the Bundesliga title this season.

“The three players from Borussia Dortmund are as good in their positions as anyone in Europe – Lukasz Piszczek is a right back and I’d easily put him in the top three in Europe, his fitness levels are something I’ve never seen before,” he said.

“Jakub Blaszczykowski, the skipper, always steps up for the national team while Robert Lewandowski is just a natural goalscorer.

“We’ve got plenty of others who can make an impact too – Ludovic Obraniak in midfield is a fantastic player and we have some solid defenders.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/szczesny-expecting-poland-to-fire/95851/

Jagielka relishes underdog tag

Defender Phil Jagielka believes the lack of expectation on England could help them to flourish at Euro 2012.

Unlike in previous years, the national team head to Poland and Ukraine as outsiders to win the tournament, and Jagielka is hoping they can now surprise people.

“I’m sure if we win a game we’ll be favourites and if we lose a game we’ll be a waste of space,” he told reporters.

“It’s a hard one to call. It would be better for the squad if there’s a little bit less expectation on us. Hopefully we can go under the radar until the latter stages of the tournament and hopefully get further than we have.

“If we’re being realistic we haven’t won anything for a number of years and maybe that’s because we don’t deserve to so hopefully this time round we can perform better and see where that takes us.”

The Everton centre-back also suggested that not much has changed since England’s friendly clash with France in November 2010 – ahead of their meeting in the tournament opener on June 11.

“I’m sure their squad will be quite similar to what it was back then and ours isn’t too different. It’s going to be a slightly different atmosphere and a different sort of onus on the game,” he said.

“Obviously it’s a tournament game, not a friendly so we’ll need the points to top the table and hopefully go through.

“We’ll be going out there to win the game but I think if we take a draw and get two other good results in the group then we’ll take that just as much.”

Jagielka also said he has enjoyed training under new boss Roy Hodgson so far, adding: “It has been good. We’ve obviously not had too long with it but a 1-0 win (against Norway) is a decent start.

“We didn’t play amazing but we’re still getting used to the tactics and the different roles that some of us have to play.

“We’ve got to look upwards and we’re going into a tournament and hopefully we can do well with him in charge.”

The 29-year-old also expressed excitement at the prospect of playing for his country alongside his former Toffees team-mate Joleon Lescott.

He continued: “Yeah definitely me and Joleon have known each other for about 10 years now so that’s obviously useful for England.

“We’ve played together a lot at Everton him got himself a fantastic move to Manchester City and has won himself a Premier League medal this season so his career has gone onto fantastic things and I think I’ve done ok for myself.”

“It’s always nice to have a familiar face next to you, especially at international football where the standards are so high. I think the last three games with had we’ve had three wins.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/jagielka-relishes-underdog-tag/95463/

Blaszczykowski: First game is crucial

Borussia Dortmund star Jakub Blaszczykowski says Poland cannot afford to lose their Euro 2012 opener against Greece on June 8.

The attacking midfielder believes defeat in his country’s first game would mean their chances of surviving the group stage would have to depend on the results of their other Group A rivals – Russia and the Czech Republic.

Blaszczykowski is determined to avoid such as scenario.

“The first match is the most important – it will practically be a small final for us,” the 26-year-old midfielder told Uefa.com.

“We have played in championships a couple of times and lost the first game. It means you don’t have your destiny completely in your own hands any more.

“We have to remember that, and make sure it doesn’t happen.”

The match between Poland and Greece takes place at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/blaszczykowski-first-game-is-crucial/95394/