Euro 2012 - The gap gets only wider for Polish subs

Another victory for Poland, fourth clean sheet in a row and, even if the stress on its narrowness could not have been stronger. Slovakia proved not only to be a trouble but with their aggression and hard-tackling approach, Franciszek Smuda clearly was worried about his leaders, quickly subbing most of his influential players. The game against Greece, which will be played at the opening of Euro 2012 in Warsaw, is just in thirteen days, there was no need to bring even more problems back to Lienz where Polish squad is preparing for the tournament.

But despite certain decency of the starting eleven that enjoyed small crowds that bothered to come all the way to Klagenfurt, the fluency and quality ended as soon as Murawski, Polanski and Lewandowski were off at half-time. Further worries were caused when Smuda subbed Błaczykowski and Obraniak was left alone to create - even though he was taken off as well, with ten minutes to go.

"It was the worst game of my life", said Franciszek Smuda, but that was not about the level or the realization how poor his second string is. Huge sigh of relief could be heard in Klagenfurt coming from the Polish bench, as the manager saw that no one is injured - a very welcomed news, just twenty hours before his final decision regarding the 23-men squad for Euro 2012 comes. He must have seen the commitment, yet take in notice how poorly played those prepared only to wait on the subs bench, in their bibs for a chance that may not even come.

On the brighter note, Poland will not have to play with Matuszczyk and Dudka responsible for distributing the ball and setting the tempo - if everyone in the co-hosts camp will stay healthy that is. But as much as we were expecting the leadership in the likes of Błaszczykowski or Murawski, it was Maciej Rybus who stepped up to the role that should make him even more confident about his place for the Greece game. Terek's winger was only few centimeters from scoring, while he troubled Slovakia with constant and intelligent running, not keeping to the sideline like he used to. His progress is one of most welcomed surprises, as reports from Grozny were not always precise or positive.

The biggest problem remains the same, though - how to survive the tournament without the need of changing the starting line-up, without the problems of injuries and suspensions. On the evidence of the Latvia game and the second half from today's match, Smuda is not even an inch closer to finding the solution to this issue. If only the subs were trying harder, were willing to make a difference or follow the pattern and example shown by those who are there to be beaten. Nothing like that had happened, Brożek was anonymous and slow again, Matuszczyk couldn't hold the ball in the easiest of situations, while Dudka looked nervous, fouling unnecessarily. 

At least Smuda saw how his full-back perform in different circumstances, in different approach. Piszczek was very willing to go forward in the first half, always linking well and creating dangers with his runs and crossing, while Boenisch on the left did more than against Latvia - yet, arguably, that wasn't enough to satisfy Polish hopes for a player with the status that Smuda created for him. To put it shortly - there was more will to go forward from Boenisch but no quality and support. Quite the difference to much more confident and attacking approach from Piszczek, the one that was missed for so long at the international level from the right-back.

Was his transition to what he plays at club level was down to the rival, his own confidence in himself and his teammates, or rather something Smuda was preparing for the last stage of the Euro preparations? This is something that will be closely followed by his rivals and critics and if he fails to develop and use one of the strongest links in his system, the price to pay will undoubtedly be painful for Smuda.

The one thing that is also put under question in Poland, is whether the training plan for the team was not too tough, too tiring for players that were after long club season. And indeed, even if today's first half was to be compared with the second, the freshness of those who only recently have joined the squad in Lienz was easily noticeable, with the tired legs of defenders, especially Boenisch, a sign of weaknesses that might be used by Greece, Czechs or Russians.

Euro 2012 - Injuries can hit Poland's ambitions

If only Artjoms Rudnevs had not have his mind set up on short holidays before heading to Germany for the new challenge in the Bundesliga, reaction in Poland over the friendly with Latvia could have been much harsher than it was in reality. The Ekstraklasa's best scorer this season was given two or three chances that he knows how to convert into goals, as Franciszek Smuda's worries over his back four still continue.

It took only some short time pressing from Latvian midfielders to win the ball back and then pass it to the wings, where Grzegorz Wojtkowiak and Sebastian Boenisch had much sterner test than they hoped for. Questions of quality and stamina arose as the latter survived seventy-two minutes, at the end looking breathless and not quite aware of where he is.

Not that he was running up and down all game long, no. Boenisch was hardly present at the other end, while on own half he should have done better on couple of occasions - the left-back maybe has not looked unfit but surely he will not be capable of matching the much more demanding tempo of Euro 2012 group games.

Today's news about Jakub Wawrzyniak's injury were a worry, though fortunately overstated, as Legia's defender said that if he was to play the game tomorrow, he would be okay, only needing pain eliminating injections. But for him, it was the toughest of seasons, despite ending miserable on the fourth place in the Ekstraklasa. He played 53 games, something unusual for footballers playing in domestic league, not used to the regime so well known abroad. 

Muscle injury could be a result of long season, but, as critics suggest, also an effect of tougher training sessions applied during the pre-tournament camp in Lienz, Austria. Franciszek Smuda admitted that he wanted to give the first group of players - the ones that joined the squad from the very beginning of the preparations - a chance to rebuild their stamina, pace and power during last seven days, adding that no one will be treated individualistic and his team will work as one.

That was indeed very risky and only the game with Latvia showed the difference in the stages of preparations in players who had various last year - while Wawrzyniak has over fifty games in his legs, Boenisch only just couple of months ago returned after long injury. It is almost impossible to rebuild Werder's left-back qualities in such short time and the Latvia game showed that he is nowhere near the class for which he was chased to be given the Polish citizenship. 

Smuda's plan of preparations was risky even with the place of the camp, while going to Turkey with small part of the team to prepare mentally, give them a rest was pointless if then he wanted to put players through sessions that may cause injuries. Thankfully, Smuda admitted that this is the end of the physical work and balls will finally be used this time. One of the players asked about the differences between the trainings of Smuda and Beenhakker in the final preparations, he couldn't even show the gap - the Dutch manager believed only in work on small pitches, while Polish coach is used to more traditional set-up.

With Boenisch form nor rising in the tempo Smuda surely hoped for and recent injury problems troubling Wawrzyniak, Poland is without two first-choice options at left-back and the manager will surely look at the possibility of playing Dariusz Dudka there, if his form allows. The defensive midfielder's position is fairly safe, if nothing happens to Polanski of course, while the long shot option remains Marcin Kamiński, who described himself as the man who may step up in this role in Smuda's eyes. Yet his inexperience and relatively small chances of staying with the squad for the Euro may eliminate the choice even before the ball is kicked for the first time.

Match with Latvia was not costly for the team in terms of injuries, yet Smuda's training sessions are beginning to be much more dangerous. Part of his job is to adjust to how the players look in training and what they need but, for the time being, Poland manager sticks strictly to the plan, maybe even ignoring the data he is receiving after each session. After all, we are talking about the man who uses laptop only as a pad for his tea mug.

Euro 2012 - Subs fail to impress Smuda

The game against Latvia was played only to give Franciszek Smuda some answers about his initial squad for the European Championships that awaits him and his team in just sixteen days. After causing quite a surprise with several call-ups for the initial 26-men wide squad, there will be less of them in the moment he cuts off three players - most possibly he will choose from the ones that have featured tonight.

The answers? Well, first of all, Paweł Brożek delivered one about his form and there is no surprise that after a season without first-team football, he may fail to show his strengths at the international level. Smuda said that he was given a credit for his performances in earlier test games, yet there is no sign of the best of him - against Latvia, he was often caught offside, tried to play with his back to the goal but was easily dispossessed by rival defenders.

Artur Sobiech, on the other hand, looked more ambitious or more dangerous in his approach - he maybe was less active in the set up play that was the one thing Brożek could get a praise tonight, but after all it was younger striker who scored the only goal with a timed header. His role at Hannover is only limited to several subs but he knows exactly what he has to do in such short time to impress - given thirty minutes tonight, Sobiech could be certain to be given more of the time on Saturday, when Poland's next match is.

Łukasz Piszczek, observing the game only from the stands of the embarrassingly empty stadium in Klagenfurt, could see that his place is not in danger at all - Grzegorz Wojtkowiak looked almost scared to pass the half-line and when he did, there was no use of his service whatsoever. Sebastian Boenisch had similar game to him, yet Smuda will trust Werder's left-back much more, only to hope that recovering defender will give more to the team after three warm-up games than Jakub Wawrzyniak, who looked tired in the end of the league season at Legia.

A very hopeful performance from Łukasz Fabiański gave also an answer but only to the player, as his saves gave Poland less deserved clean sheet. Only lately he revealed that after last game of the season at Arsenal, he demanded a move from Arsene Wenger and several clubs, with West Ham among them, may be already looking at his performances after almost a year on the Gonners' subs bench. If he continues to keep it up, he may end the debate about Artur Boruc, or even get himself back the second position to the Polish goal, skipping over Przemysław Tytoń who should be impressed with his colleague tonight.

Rafał Wolski played only 45 minutes, yet early reaction from the manager and the team was very positive and creative midfielder will keep up surprising with his mature approach. He needed one game like that - or even half of it - only to convince Smuda that he is nowhere near the trio that will be cut out next week. Matuszczyk and Kucharczyk both looked much more fragile, unsure and simply poor when called up in action.

This was less about preparing the team strictly to the tournament, yet after a week of hard work, Smuda will see a first glimpses of how several players react to his training regime and whether their form is growing. That is why, despite overall strongly mediocre performance, he should be happy about the test - though as the few dozens of fans present in Klagenfurt for the international game have seen, the difference between subs and the likes of Lewandowski, Błaszczykowski and Piszczek is easy to notice.

Different kind of season

It is easy to judge the whole season based only on the outcome of the last few weekends. When Legia was on top, they had one hand on the title and tipped to clinch the title rather sooner or later... When Śląsk finally found the glimpses of form they have shown us in 2011... When Ruch Chorzow refused to struggle and kept up with the leaders... When Lech began their magnificent finish...

Yes, it is easy. Only because the finish was magnificent, full of emotions - good and, unfortunately, wrong as well - twists and turns... Not everyone will understand though, that what was delivered by players, managers and referees could not be exactly about the emotions. After all, football is a spectacle, always was. Different kind of aspects create the whole image and, for those who missed it, that Sunday, it was delivered from every corner. Thankfully.

Not that all the flaws should be left overlooked. Once again, the referees were constantly poor and the level have not moved up the ladder - the decisions are not only often wrong, but there is a certain lack of any style, any directions in which Polish referees are going. It is simply like there is no body controlling them, or, more importantly, helping them out which should be top priority.  

But fans' critique will focus mostly on footballers - it is hard to argue that the results of the relegation fight are not fair. Went down the club that is probably nowhere near the standards at which Polish Ekstraklasa is aiming (ŁKS) and the club that wasted so many chances, failed to learn from so many lessons, that may need to be put through toughest of tests (Cracovia). The latest example of much less stable Górnik Zabrze proves that it may be costly and frustrating, but one season in 1. Liga is what makes club a better place. Or putting one on the right track.

Moving to the other end, the quality is put even often under the question, yet no one can argue that Śląsk Wrocław are not worthy champions. They did everything during the season to end up at the top - the style was not attractive, yet they have scored the most goals over the course of the campaign. Śląsk had the most number of influential players in Orest Lenczyk's squad - Sebastian Mila, Marian Kelemen, Piotr Celeban, Przemysław Kaźmierczak and probably 4-5 of others. Stepping up when necessary, when the team needed them - Waldemar Sobota, Łukasz Madej, Rok Elsner, Jaroslaw Fojut, Cristian Diaz, Johan Voskamp... Indeed, they had the leaders but it's the quality of the heroes from the second stage that sealed it for Śląsk.

Legia, Lech and Ruch failed to have as many of them, though what happened at Legia is often criticized - rightly so. Skorża maybe had no say in the transfers but he failed to make most of the players he had and it should be noted that his quality should overshadow the rest of the league.  Ljuboja, Kuciak, Żewłakow... but they did step up to their roles, and Skorża's biggest failure was to implement the winning mentality, the mentality of how to play right football, into the minds of youngest players, as much talented as still fragile in a physical league such as Polish one. Their season was also about giving the chance to the youth, but somewhere the aim was forgotten - or rather the importance and the quality of their rivals was underestimated. Legia is again the biggest mess out of top four, fighting with different forces inside the club, without clarity over the future... Skorża is doubtful to be given the chance to move on with his project - if his work can be named as one - maybe for the right reasons but after wrong decisions, not necessarily coming from the man himself. 

Lech shouldn't be even regarded here as a title candidates, for all the troubles caused to them by Bakero's tenure. It was indeed, a disastrous time and his debut win over Manchester City was only a good start to a horrible story of conflict, misunderstanding, mistrust and failure. Only Mariusz Rumak, young, a hero from nowhere, could disagree with common opinion that this squad is over. He restored the faith and his impact was seen at the last game in Poznan, narrow and nervous victory over Podbeskidzie, as it was watched by the biggest crowd of Lech's season. The fourth place finish was overshadowed by pathetic chant-fail from Semir Stilić, yet the fact that Lech is back at the top of Polish football shouldn't be disregarded. Maybe by accident, Lech have found a perfect match in Rumak and with good support from the board, he can make them the best again.

Ruch was the biggest surprise yet there is no promise that their success will mean something more for the club, will be an impact for different future - because if there is a plan in Chorzow now, it is not one about reaching the financial heights of other strongest clubs in the Ekstraklasa. It is the one about continuing current work of Waldemar Fornalik over very experienced team, the one that is nearing the finish line of the age and quality, as several games of current season - most notably the Polish Cup final - proved it. If they will fail to keep their best players, the likes of Piech, Jankowski, this will mean Ruch is back to the times of being average at best - that is until another team is prepared to surprise fans. Because everything what happens at Chorzow is more about surprise rather than proper planning.

Others? Well, this season showed us the biggest struggle of Wisła Krakow and proved that short-term planning is not good anymore even at the league level. Michał Probierz has already faced some really tough challenges but building the team out of nothing - and he is left with literally nothing at Wisła right now - is also a way for him to show his qualities. He can do whatever he wants, he still has the name and the reputation of the club to fight for the names that can give Wisła the comeback they need. 

Górnik Zabrze should be also praised for making something more from the averageness they have coped with over last years and there are projects that are supported on much lesser scale than top finishers but are proving their own quality and should be regarded as a dangerous when next season comes. Pavel Hapal made one hell of a job during the winter at Zagłębie Lubin, while Leszek Ojrzyński coped well with his short squad and at least gave his team an identity - not everyone will think that it is the right one though. Jagiellonia, maybe by accident, have found that Tomasz Hajto may be a proper manager and keeping Tomasz Frankowski for one more year is a treat to the whole league. 

The uncertainty of the likes of Podbeskidzie, Lechia, Widzew and Polonia is also what makes this league colorful and full of own flavor. When Józef Wojciechowski, the owner of Warsaw's second biggest club ordered his players to stay until the end of the June at the club and have two running sessions a day, many called him mad. Yes, he is, he is so mad that he is probably ruining few careers, yet even his antics have something different about the whole league. And when the Ekstraklasa fails to deliver on the pitch, show the quality there, Polish football needs to stand out in a different way - good that the beautiful game is not only about the players and managers, after all.

Śląsk vs Wisła - the pathology of the 1982

Tomorrow, when Śląsk Wroclaw will play with Wisła in Krakow, the Polish title will be decided. Visitors need only a win that will end their 35-years long championship wait, without looking at what happens in Łódź (Widzew vs Lech), Chorzów (Ruch vs Lechia) or Warsaw (Legia vs Korona). But it is not the first time Śląsk plays with Wisła to clinch the title. Thirty years ago the situation was very similar, yet the end quite different, unwelcomed in Wrocław.

Some say it was the most dramatic end to the league that Polish fans have ever seen. Others, or the majority of those who remember the game, simply note that it was the peak of corruption and domestic football at its worst. To understand tensions, worries and conspiracy theories of Polish supporters, it is best to look at what happened almost exactly thirty years ago, on the last Sunday of the season. 9^th May 1982, that date is still well remembered in Wroclaw. And cursed at.

---

This happened back in times where the win gave you two points instead of three and Śląsk was league revelation. Youth combined with experience in the team of only 33-year-old Jan Caliński had an unbelievably good season, and before the last league game, they had an advantage of one point over Widzew but they still needed a win. Śląsk played at home with Wisła, Widzew visited Ruch. But both matches have started long before kick off.

Back in those days, footballers, authorities were not keen to count on what happens on the pitch. That is why Śląsk offered the money to Wisła to make sure they will not make any problems in Wrocław, while Widzew tried to motivate Krakow’s team with dollars earned from selling Zbigniew Boniek to Juventus.

On the day of the games, it was still unknown which option was picked by Wisła. As Andrzej Iwan, back then one of Krakow’s leaders, wrote in his autobiography “Spalony” (“Offside”) his interest was to win the game for Widzew, as he was about to change the club and take the place of Boniek in Łódź. But the discussions went on and other Wisła player, Zdzisław Kapka, was given some amount of money in Wrocław by Tadeusz Pawłowski, then Śląsk midfielder.

The bidding went on and when the news broke out that Widzew had the higher offer, Śląsk tried to collect the money on the match day. As the legend says, wife of one of the hosts handed the additional sum in the toilet in the club building just before the kick off. It was all set up for the champions celebration in Wrocław. The referee Alojzy Jarguz was also paid to make sure the result is right for Śląsk.

Despite the capacity of only 15,000, the Oporowska stadium was packed by 25,000 fans demanding the title. With all set up, it was decided that the penalty will be given to Śląsk by Jarguz, Pawłowski will take it and with Wisła’s keeper Janusz Adamczyk also involved in the plot, that should clinch the title. But much earlier than that things got confusing.

During the first half, Wisła was very competitive, almost scoring on several occasions, making Śląsk stunned as they thought this game will be a walk in the park. They ran around the pitch asking their rivals “What’s going on?!” and “What are you doing?!”. Unable to focus on the game itself, they went off at half time with still goalless draw, that was enough to give them the title, as Ruch was winning with Widzew. But it was Widzew who controlled the situation – their game started eight minutes later than the one in Wrocław, they knew what is going on and could score any minute to react at events at Oporowska.

The half-time in Śląsk’s changing room was tense, with several players claiming that everything is alright, the deal is on – one of them was Tadeusz Pawłowski, who was convinced that Kapka shared the money and the score will be good for Śląsk. Others, led by Caliński, were not so sure, arguing that they have to win it themselves – among them Ryszard Tarasiewicz, one of the younger players, cheeky and brave enough to voice his opinion about the case.

After the years have passed, Tarasiewicz claimed: “I felt from the very first moment that something is not right, that Wisła is not in it, that someone - someone from our team – has made the money his.”

The second half started with a shock as Wisła scored, defender Piotr Skrobowski taking advantage of a corner scramble in Śląsk box with a fine volley. This was not in the script. “They were running after each of us, begging us to give up the game” – Iwan wrote – “I joked to one of them that they should bring all the gold, goods they have to our bench and only then we will do so!”

But finally, in the 83^rd minute, a very dubious penalty was given to Śląsk and Tadeusz Pawłowski took it. As he claimed, the deal he clinched with Kapka also agreed to how the penalty will look like – Adamczyk should go left, no matter what. Pawłowski, despite the way Wisła played so far, was quite sure the deal is on. Kapka whispered into Adamczyk’s ear what should happen, Pawłowski nodded before the penalty, keeper nodded back. He shoot into the right corner.

Adamczyk went right. He saved Pawłowski’s weak shot. Wisła won in Wrocław. Widzew drew in Chorzow, winning the title.

“This penalty showed that Pawłowski believed in the arrangement” – said Caliński.

“That was humiliating. I just wanted to walk on the pitch and fight for the title. But not everyone had the same motivation. After the game some of them bought new cars. But they lost the place in the history forever” – Tarasiewicz claimed.

---

The stories regarding this game differ, even today. In one of the interviews the referee Jarguz claimed, that it was the Śląsk players that didn’t want to win, asking why the penalty to them was given. That Pawłowski shoot over the bar.

Andrzej Iwan claims in his autobiography that the penalty took place at first, only then Wisła scored.

Pawłowski moans that he was made guilty, that his career suffered because of the penalty incident. And that he was simply unlucky with that shot…

This was the pathology at the highest rate, the symbol of what Polish football once was. All players involved in the criminal plot – some of them still involved in the game! – never cared, never thought that this could be win on the pitch, rather than by money they exchanged in the deal involving four clubs and different interests of players. They never had to pay for it, were never sentenced or accused for anything. One of the loudest and the most obvious corruption scandals in Polish football history remains a story, not even the one whispered, but widely discussed before tomorrow’s finish to the league.

Matchday 29 - the reaction

Despite dramatic finish to the season that still have not settled the championship in the Ekstraklasa, the results forced several nervous reactions mainly in Krakow and Warsaw. The biggest story today in Poland is the fall of Legia - despite press treating it with a dose of unpredictability, Skorża's team wasn't playing well recently, being without a win for a month. 

As they failed again against ambitious Lechia in Gdansk, the 0-1 defeat was only a part of their miserable day as only later the chairman of the board, Mariusz Walter, put in his resignation. That might be a very first formal step to selling the club from ITI, the media company, to whoever comes with the offer. It's very hard to assess the situation at Legia - despite winning the cup and enjoying good season in Europe, Skorża had to cope without three important players sold this winter (Rybus, Komorowski and Borysiuk). Those who came in (Blanco and Novo) didn't perform well enough, weren't a breakthrough but even despite poor recent form, the expectations were high. Now they are fourth and even Skorża describes his team's chances as mathematical only before the final battle. Despite signing extension to his deal recently, he may be into even stormier summer than the last was for Legia and himself - when there was replacement prepared and until the very last day he had to look for players. Now there might be no money available with several issues needing solutions inside the squad.

Much more happier place is Poznan today, where yesterday Lech had nervous evening of missed chances, only for Artiom Rudnev settling the score against Podbeskidzie with a late penalty. That put Lech back into the title race and continued their miraculous form marked with seventh win in eight games. Mariusz Rumak is the man who led the revolution as more direct style suits players who weren't too convinced about Bakero's passing game. What is most important for them is that after very tough months, Lech looks a happier place and will host European football next season - despite several changes coming in this summer, Poznan was finally the place it became famous four on the continent. The stands were full, fans were loud and the team attacked relentlessly for much of the game. Even selling Rudnev will not be regarded as a big blow now as other players stepped up with their performances, while Rumak is keen to promote youth and give them a chance at all cost - yesterday Mateusz Możdżeń played as a right back, despite being midfielder for much of his career, for example.

Ruch Chorzow is the unexpected team in the top four, yet only if the pre-season predictions will be taken in notice. In last 29 games they were very consistent performers and Waldemar Fornalik has put together a fine team on a very low cost. Whether he is as sure that the championship will come remains unknown, Fornalik was rather silent despite his side's comfortable win at relegated Cracovia yesterday (2-0). Once again those who shone through-out the campaign stepped out and made the damage - Marek Zieńczuk with a fine volley and Aleksander Piech with a perfectly-timed header. Hard work is the key for Ruch as they approach the final match day - despite often struggling against bigger rivals, their challenge is low key again as they face Lechia, already safe in the bottom half of the table. Lechia have defeated Legia but it is in doubt that they will cause as much problems away from home and the pressure will be on Ruch to perform and win.

Meanwhile, Śląsk Wrocław snatched their second win in two games, only their fourth league win in 2012 but that was enough to move them to the top of the table. Now they are going to Krakow to face Wisła, who is without much of their defence, as manager Michał Probierz suspended several players for unsporting, unprofessional performances in 0-2 defeat in Zabrze to Górnik. That will help Śląsk but their away form in 2012 is poor and all of the players will need to step up. In yesterday's 3-1 win over Jagiellonia only the score was comfortable - they lacked fluency, defended for much of the game and only three set-pieces well taken by Śląsk's captain Sebastian Mila (who was suspended recently for unsporting behavior) gave them the chances, converted twice by Przemysław Kaźmierczak and once by Rok Elsner. With experimental back four, Śląsk will now probably turn to what gave them many wins and manager Orest Lenczyk will try again to surprise their rivals with his rotation and tactics.

Yesterday it was Tadeusz Socha, nominal right back, who played as a winger, though his performance was far from best. The most important issue is how Śląsk will manage the tiredness of the players in just three days separating both days - for what is worth, the game in Krakow will be played to familiar crowd as long friendship between Wisła and Śląsk supporters is seen anytime they face. That is why Krakow and Wroclaw are preparing for celebrations on Sunday, though Probierz is keen to ruin the day with young players that will try to prove themselves before Wisła's revolution this summer.

Smuda's squad is a sign of sacrification

Minutes after Franciszek Smuda called up 26 players of the initial Poland squad for Euro 2012, the critique had begun. It was easy to predict that whatever his choice will be, the praise will unlikely follow decisions of once crowds' favorite. The most important thing for Smuda, though, is not who he went for, who got the chance, but how much the man in charge changed over the time of his tenure. The final squad is, after all, the best example of how many things he had to sacrifice in order to survive and keep the status quo.

Whatever fans think about Smuda - and after thirty months in charge the range of opinions differs a lot - it must be noticed that he couldn't keep the way he wanted to rule his squad just after signing the contract. Possibilities were short back in early 2010, when, following disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign, as Poland finished just above San Marino, he optimistically looked at the squad and shared the view of a spectacular change. Nothing like that happened, nor that Smuda wasn't trying - the players were too poor to play the game he wanted.

Short-passing, possession keeping, high-pressing football team shaped in 4-3-3 was only a dream, shattered brutally by Spain in a 0-6 defeat, when his brave tactics were also a stupid one, unrealistic. It was not Smuda who noticed that this is not the way they will or should play, as players, unable to convince him during the training camps, went to the medias for help. The effect will be seen against Greece at Euro 2012, the opening game, played perfectly two years after the lesson in Spain.

So the style differs, and is far from initial plan and hopes of Smuda, yet that may not necessarily mean anything bad - it is, after all, something that every manager of average national team has to do - fit the system to the players he has. When it dawned on Smuda that he hasn't got the players and they are not willing to help him develop his changes, he had to change his squad - in short, prepare for counter-attacking football and to do everything to support Lewandowski.

That means rather fast-played football, based on individuals rather than trained schemes - fans haven't seen much of them during any of Smuda games, while the only thing he succeeded at, was teaching them how, off the ball, get behind the line of it and defend as fast as possible, move swiftly from right to left. Out of ten midfielders he called up, five of them fit the type of a player that operates on the wing, has to win as many one-on-one's as possible and, most importantly, create for Lewandowski. 

Grosicki, Rybus, Błaszczykowski, Obraniak and Wolski - while striker Kucharczyk is also known for playing as a winger for Legia - are quite similar players, though at different level, obviously. Smuda would probably call up Peszko as well, if he hadn't involve himself in the drinking scandal - after all, the coach had forgiven him once, to have better, more experienced options than, lets say, Wolski, yet couldn't risk losing face or the respect - what was left of it.

Also there could be an example of Sobiech, player more similar to Lewandowski in terms of style - given that he can play as the target man or dropping back to keep the ball, play it sideways. But his inclusion shows another sacrifice of Smuda, who once notably said, that he will not call up those who have not been playing regularly at their clubs. 

Some took it more seriously than others - Obraniak, Brożek, Jeleń all moved with hope that their position in the national team will change, the place at Euro 2012 will be prepared for them, although it only worked out for Lille's midfielder, as both strikers failed miserably at Celtic and Lille respectively. Tomasz Kuszczak was probably the most frustrated one - he was fourth most often playing keeper under Smuda and risked a row with sir Alex Ferguson to be finally send to Watford but mysteriously, it was too late for the Poland's coach. Kuszczak is nowhere near the squad.

But others are, even though their club situation is questionable at best. Łukasz Fabiański struggled for form and health, being far behind Szczęsny in the all-Arsenal competition. Przemysław Tytoń had an awful injury, admittedly, but couldn't find his way back to the PSV goal when he was cleared to play. With Sandomierski a failure in Belgium and only fourth-fifth best keeper in Polish Ekstraklasa, Smuda's resignation of those regularly playing - Boruc and Kuszczak - has left him with only Szczęsny as the well prepared goalie. Once Poland was regarded as a squad who never had to worry about this position, while now, mostly because of Smuda's stubbornness, the questions about Fabiański's and Tytoń's form are valid.

This situation does not get better up-field - Damien Perquis (Sochaux) and Sebastian Boenisch (Werder) are both after very dangerous injuries that could have kept them away from the tournament, while their form is a question mark and will have to be shaped by Smuda - is there enough of time, though? Matuszczyk and Mierzejewski are maybe not as important as the French-German duo in Smuda's back line, yet their struggle at Koln, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Trabzonspor is well known and unquestionable. Brożek and Sobiech are similar - yet the latter was much better at adapting to substitute role at Hannover, despite initially failing to make himself count. 

That makes eight players, two from each formation, that haven't enjoyed their club season and are unprepared, in bad shape and generally poor mood because of that - maybe even looking for a move to change their situation. There is so many factors that might influence their performances, that Smuda must be aware of what he is risking. What he said at the start of his adventure with the national team is less important now, he wasn't as sure of his selection as he should be, while when he will get them together, this will be the moment when his work will start. 

Of course, that is unfortunate and Smuda must know what challenge is ahead of him and that not necessary means the Greece game. It is easy to say that he put his career and name on the line with that selection, but it can be said that it happened when he started showing the very first signs of frustration at the lack of development of his project. That quickly have led to in-consequences and mistakes, nervous acts between and during the games, which could be easily seen straight after yesterday's selection finale - irritation, anger and annoyance at reporters' questions expressed just as much.

Franciszek Smuda, whatever the evaluation of his job is, maybe failed at speaking the words of wisdom to the nation and putting arguments behind his decisions, yet when he faced the question of what he is ready to sacrifice for the team, he knew straight away. His beliefs, reputation and even whole career is on the line but there is one question that remains unanswered for Smuda - are his players ready to sacrifice as much?