The term golden generation is one that emerges ahead of every major international tournament and the 2018 in Russia is no exception with that tag being applied to Poland in particular. Unfortunately this is perhaps the last chance for this particular golden generation to do themselves justice and make a significant impact on the World stage.
The likes of Lukasz Fabianski, Kamil Glik, Lukasz Piszczek, Jakub Blasczcykowski and Robert Lewandowski will all be in the latter stages of their career in four years at the next tournament and there is not a great deal of youth within the squad. Indeed in terms of average age Poland will be one of the oldest teams at the tournament.
With that said there are still high expectations from those at home who remain hopeful that they can come through a group containing Senegal, Colombia and Japan to reach the knockout stages. If this proves to be the case then few teams will want to face Poland in a winner takes all knockout match.
Squad
Coach Adam Nawalka
When the former national team midfielder was appointed as head coach in 2013 there were suspicions that he was given the role as a result of his relationship with FA chief Zbigniew Boniek with whom he had played at the 1978 World Cup rather than what he had done previously as a coach.
At club level his biggest achievement was winning a domestic double with Wisla but other than that he did not stand out.
At Euro 2016 he led Poland to the last 16 and if he was to match this result this summer then it will be seen as a huge achievement.
Goalkeepers
Wojciech Szczesny, Lukas Fabianksi, Lukasz Skorupski
Defenders
Michal Pazdan, Artur Jedrzejczyk, Thiago Cionek, Jan Bednarek, Kamil Glik, Lukasz Piszczek, Batrosz Bereszynski
Midfielders
Jacek Goralski, Karol Linnety, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Kamil Grosicky, Maciej Rybus, Jakub Blasczczykowski, Slawomir Peszko, Piotr Zielinski, Rafal Kurzawa
Forwards
Robert Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik, David Kownacki, Lukasz Teodorczyk
Tactics
Poland are strongest in the attacking phase where they use fullbacks and wide attackers to stretch the width of the field. Here you can see how adventurous Poland are when attacking and they have committed eight players into the opposition half as they try to break through.
With a player like Robert Lewandowski as the focal point and striker to attract at least two defensive players this creates spaces and potential overload opportunities in the final third.
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