Poland squad
Goalkeepers
Artur BORUC
20.02.80
Celtic (Sco)
33 caps (0 goals)
First-choice, brave keeper. Quick to show his abilities on joining Celtic from Legia Warsaw in 2005. Still a hero for Legia fans and led the support for Legia from the terraces at Wisla Plock in April 2007.
Lukasz FABIANSKI
18.04.85
Arsenal (Eng)
7 caps (0 goals)
Most talented Polish keeper of his generation. Like Boruc, made his name with Legia then moved abroad. Joined Arsenal last year but has had little first-team action. Reserve at last World Cup.
Tomasz KUSZCZAK
23.03.82
Manchester United (Eng)
5 caps (0 goals)
Has a very strong personality and declared he “is not interested in being No 2”. Made his name with West Brom, joined Man Utd in 2006. Under-18 European champion in 2001.
Defenders
Jacek BAK
24.03.73
Austria Wien (Aut)
92 caps (3 goals)
Hugely experienced defender. Tall, good in the air. Can also play as a defensive midfielder. Set to quit national team after the finals. Nicknamed Mosquito, though his surname means gadfly in Polish.
Pawel GOLANSKI
12.10.82
Steaua Bucharest (Rom)
8 caps (1 goal)
Defender who played well in the qualifiers but can lack consistency.
Mariusz JOP
03.08.78
FC Moscow (Rus)
22 caps (0 goals)
Solid, uncompromising central defender, strong in the air. Played well for country last year despite not being used by FC Moscow. Now back in action at club level and in line for Poland starting place.
Adam KOKOSZKA
06.10.86
Wisla Krakow
5 caps (2 goals)
A Beenhakker discovery. Young, promising central defender called up for Poland friendlies even when only a substitute at Wisla. A goal threat at free-kicks and corners.
Marcin WASILEWSKI
09.06.80
Anderlecht (Blg)
25 caps (1 goal)
Uncompromising, very strong right-back who’s often booked. Dubbed The Polish Tank in Belgium, where he settled in quickly after his move from Lech Poznan in January 2007.
Jakub WAWRZYNIAK
07.07.83
Legia Warsaw
8 caps (0 goals)
Beenhakker has tested the left-footer as a central defender but much better at left-back. Called up by Poland despite not playing regularly for Legia. Crazy about go-karting.
Michal ZEWLAKOW
22.04.76
Olympiakos (Gre)
75 caps (2 goals)
Very experienced, versatile type – can play anywhere in defence. Also a free-kick specialist. Spent eight years in Belgium then joined Olympiakos in 2006. Twin of ex-Poland striker Marcin Zewlakow.
Midfielders
Jakub BLASZCZYKOWSKI
14.12.85
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
13 caps (1 goal)
Technically good, attack-minded right-sided midfielder. A key player during qualification. Recently suffered muscle injuries. Nephew of Jerzy Brzeczek, captain of Poland’s 1992 Olympic runners-up.
Dariusz DUDKA
09.12.83
Wisla Krakow
23 caps (2 goals)
First-choice midfielder who can also play in defence. Very good at breaking up opposition attacks and also launching Poland forays with long passes. Lining up move to western Europe this summer.
Lukasz GARGULA
25.02.81
GKS Belchatow
10 caps (1 goal)
Playmaker, excellent technically but not physically strong. Scored on Poland debut, in September 2006. Has a good understanding with forward Matusiak, his friend and former Belchatow team-mate.
Roger GUERREIRO
25.05.82
Legia Warsaw
0 caps
Brazilian midfielder who could get the nod having just received Polish citizenship. Beenhakker has spoken favourably of his vision and invention.
Jacek KRZYNOWEK
15.05.76
Wolfsburg (Ger)
77 caps (14 goals)
Speedy, very experienced left-footed midfielder who loves to attack. Dribbles from deep on the left side and can create or shoot from distance. Also a free-kick taker.
Mariusz LEWANDOWSKI
18.05.79
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr)
44 caps (3 goals)
Battling defensive midfielder, good in the air and can score from distance. Can also play in central defence. Nicknamed Lewy (left in Polish). Shakhtar fans named him in club’s all-time best XI.
Wojciech LOBODZINSKI
20.10.82
Wisla Krakow
14 caps (2 goals)
Right-sided midfielder who loves storming down the flank before producing a telling cross. Beenhakker likes him a lot but competing with Blaszczykowski for a starting place.
Rafal MURAWSKI
09.10.81
Lech Poznan
7 caps (1 goal)
Hard-working defensive midfielder, not physically very strong but has a big heart. Can also create scoring chances with his precise passes. A valuable alternative for Dudka or Lewandowski.
Michal PAZDAN
21.09.87
Gornik Zabrze
3 caps (0 goals)
Young midfield talent who will surely get his chance in the World Cup qualifiers if not Euro 2008.
Forwards
Marek SAGANOWSKI
31.10.78
Southampton (Eng)
20 caps (3 goals)
Pacy striker who likes to run from deep and is a good finisher. Made his national team debut at 17 but has not fulfilled his huge potential. Brother Boguslaw is a beach soccer national team star.
Euzebiusz SMOLAREK
09.01.81
Racing Santander (Spa)
29 caps (13 goals)
Attacking spearhead or wide midfielder. Scored nine goals in the qualifiers. Made his Feyenoord debut when Beenhakker was coach there. Son of ex-Poland striker Wlodzimierz Smolarek.
Tomasz ZAHORSKI
22.11.84
Gornik Zabrze
6 caps (1 goal)
A Beenhakker discovery from the Polish League. Very quick, good in the air, finishes well and can produce a final pass. Has yet to start a game for his country, however.
Maciej ZURAWSKI
12.09.76
Larisa (Gre)
69 caps (16 goals)
Experienced and dangerous striker or attacking midfielder. Free-kick and penalty expert nicknamed Magic at Celtic but moved to Larisa this winter after failing to gain a regular starting berth.
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