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/

International friendly: Spain 4 South Korea 1

Spain continued their preparations for Euro 2012 with a comfortable 4-1 victory over South Korea at Stade de Suisse in Switzerland on Wednesday.

Spain got off to a good start, and nearly found the net just five minutes into the match when Santiago Cazorla’s blast at goal deflected off Fernando Torres, only for the ball to creep agonisingly by the post.

The early pressure from Vicente Del Bosque’s side paid off just five minutes later when Benat’s fizzed cross from the left-hand side was met by Torres inside the area, and the Chelsea man did well to nod the ball past South Korea goalkeeper Jin-Hyeon Kim.

Jin-Hyeon was a busy man in the opening 45 minutes and kept his side in the match with a couple of accomplished saves, denying both Cazorla and Xabi Alonso.

South Korea almost equalised in the 20th minute when Kim Jung-Woo skipped past a couple of challenges before lashing a shot inches past Jose Reina’s.

South Korea continued to probe for their opening goal and it eventually came a minute before half-time through a stunning Do-Heon Kim strike. The midfielder picked up the ball on the left hand side before smashing a fierce strike from 25 yards into the top corner.

Spain reclaimed the lead in the 53rd minute when Yong-Hyung Cho blocked a Nacho Monreal strike on goal with his hand inside the box. Xabi Alonso stepped up to coolly dispatch the penalty.

Del Bosque’s men kicked on after their second goal, and were able to add a third just three minutes later through a Cazorla free-kick. The Malaga playmaker showed outstanding initiative to fire a strike under the Korean wall from his set-piece on the edge of the box, giving Spain a two-goal lead.

The South Koreans kept up their spirits, however, and came close to grabbing a goal back when Ja-Cheol Koo went on a bursting run through the middle of the Spanish defence, only to smash his eventual shot on to the post.

Cerezo Osaka goalkeeper Jin-Hyeon continued to keep the score respectable with a number of brilliant saves in the second half, denying Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo twice.

Negredo did eventually find a goal for Spain in the 78th minute when Roberto Soldado sent his compatriot through on goal and the substitute scored with a well-taken finish.

Spain’s final Euro 2012 warm up comes this weekend when they take on China in Seville before they head to Poland and Ukraine.

South Korea’s next encounter is also of large importance as they take on Qatar in World Cup 2014 qualifying.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/international-friendly-spain-4-south-korea-1/95549/

Loew tips Schweinsteiger to shine

Germany boss Joachim Loew expects Bastian Schweinsteiger to be fully fit for the start of their Euro 2012 campaign.

The Bayern Munich midfielder has been plagued by injuries in recent months and there are increasing doubts over what role he will play in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

Nonetheless, Loew is optimistic over Schweinsteiger’s availability for Germany’s curtain raiser against Portugal on June 9, but conceded that the 27-year-old may not feature in Thursday’s final warm-up clash against Israel.

“I do not know (if he will play) yet,” the coach told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

“He has a hematoma in the calf and this makes things difficult for him. Therefore, we must minimise the risk.

“He is not always training with the team, as you have to see how far he can go and how well he can deal with the pain. But he will have the necessary physical strength and power for the tournament.”

Loew then had some words of support for the four players who missed out on the final squad for Euro 2012, with 18-year-old midfielder Julian Draxler in particular receiving encouragement.

“They were all obviously incredibly disappointed,” he said.

“But we made our decision after much consideration, and we wanted to give players clarity on Monday, because you could feel their uncertainty.

“These are very young players. I told everyone that they have opened the door wide for themselves. Draxler, the youngest of the group, is a real winner from this camp.

“For us it is clear that these players are on the fringe of the squad, and will probably soon be with the national team.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/loew-tips-schweinsteiger-to-shine/95478/