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Guide to Ireland vs Poland
Polish football background so you know what's going on!
Match: Wednesday, 19th November, 8pm
This week will see the first football game between Ireland and Poland since the arrival of so many Polish people on our shores, including St. Pat’s midfielder, Jaroslaw Białek.
So, to celebrate the meeting, I’ve prepared a guide, complete with a history of great Polish players, players to watch and translations of football phrases in case you change alliances!
History:
Some may not know this, but Poland actually has an impressive World Cup record. They have qualified for seven World Cups, finishing third in 1974 and 1982. Success at the European Championships has been harder to come by - they have only qualified once, and put out a poor performance at Euro 2008. They also won an Olympic gold medal in 1972, and silvers in ’76 and ’92. Poland are due to co-host the 2012 European Championships. They sit second in their World Cup qualifying group.
Great players:
Zbigniew Boniek is Poland’s finest ever player. The former vice-president of the Polish FA won the European Cup-Winners Cup, Super Cup and European Cup with Juventus, and played in the Poland team at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups.
Grzegorz Lato is the only Pole to top-score at a World Cup, scoring seven goals in the 1974 tournament. He scored 45 goals for Poland, though his only silverware were two Polish league titles in his entire club career. He played in the ’72 and ’76 Olympic teams, as well as the 1982 World Cup.
Jan “The Clown” Tomaszewski is possibly Poland’s most famous player in this part of the world. Before a crucial qualifying game against England in 1973, Brian Clough labelled the keeper a clown. Of couse, Tomaszewski went on to have a great game, and Poland qualified ahead of England.
Jerzy Dudek may not have had the best time in England, but he did play huge parts in the League and European Cup wins of ‘03 and ’05, respectively. Twice Polish Goalkeeper of the Year and the recipient of two UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year Nominations; the Real Madrid keeper is arguably Poland’s most successful player. He has won only one cap less than Tomaszewski.
Ones to watch:
Łukasz Fabiański: The Arsenal goalie has only played four times for the Londoners, but Leo Beenhakker has made him his Number One in place of injured Artur Boruc. Fabiański could soon be making more Arsenal appearances, if Manuel Almunia’s recent awful form continues.
Euzebiusz Smolarek: The only Premiership player in the squad, Smolarek disappointed at Euro 2008, but he has scored 15 international goals from midfield. The son of a former Poland international may yet prove himself in the Premiership.
Jacek Krzynówek: Krzynówek has also scored 15 international goals, and the Wolfsburg midfielder has a very good reputation in both Poland and Germany. He was picked for Eurosports Dream Team after the Euro 2008 Qualifiers.
The fans:
Admittedly, they aren’t Polish internationals, but how the fans react to Giovanni Trappatoni’s team will be fascinating. He left Andy Reid out of his squad, and another underwhelming display could cause the fans to get on his back.
Polish phrases:
Just in case a sudden, crazed, affection for our opponents grabs you during the game, fear not. The Polish anthem is called Mazurek Dąbrowskiego and I have all the key terms you’ll need:
The referee’s a (Swearword of choice) = Arbitrowie...
Goal!= Cel!
Offside!=Poza grą!
There’s only one...=Tam jest tylko jed...
Who are ya??= Kto (który) są *ya*??
Who says Smolarek and Krzynówek can’t play together?= Kto (który) mówi (przemawia) Smolarek i Krzynówek może ’t gra (sztuka) razem?
Bring back Antoni Piechniczek!= Zwracają Antoni Piechniczek!
I hope this will come in handy, but still urge you to support the Boys in GREEN!
By: Ciaran Leinster
Keep up with the latest developments here: FAI.
