MX23RW : Saturday, October 5 13:34:10| >> :600:2442066:2442066:

Euro 2012 Preview: Poland

Euro 2012 Preview: Poland
© PA Photos
Poland head into Euro 2012 as one of the co-hosts. Here, Sports Mole previews their chances of glory this summer.

Poland head into Euro 2012 with the pressure of being one of the tournament's co-hosts.

However, in their favour statistics show that 14 out of the last 15 hosts have reached at least the semi-finals of the competition, although a home side has not gone on to lift the trophy since France in 1984.

As one of the hosts, the Poles were not required to qualify for the competition, meaning that they have not taken part in a competitive fixture since October 2009.

Group: A

Manager: Franciszek Smuda - The 63-year-old has won three Polish league titles during stints with Widzew Lodz and Wisla Krakow. Following a lengthy spell coaching in the United States, he took over Poland in 2009.

Players to watch:

Robert Lewandowski: The 23-year-old's goals last season were seen as a major factor behind Borussia Dortmund's success in the Bundesliga. Also scored three times against Bayern Munich during the German Cup final.

Wojciech Szczesny: Regarded by many as one of the best young goalkeepers in world football. The Arsenal number one recently claimed the gloves for the senior side ahead of teammate Lukasz Fabianski.

Lukasz Piszczek: Another Dortmund player, Piszczek is a full-back who likes to get forward.

Previous Best: Group stage, 2008

Sports Mole's prediction for Euro 2012: Group stage

ID:27949: cacheID:27949:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2351:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Joe Hart
Read Next:
Szczesny: Hart is world's best
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
11Bournemouth622289-18
12Brentford6213810-27
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd621358-37
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton6015312-91
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!