MirrorFootball’s Poland blogger Ryan Hubbard looks back at Poland’s hard-earned draw with Russia
With tensions flaring on the streets of Warsaw before the game, a draw was probably the ideal result to calm down the mass Russian and Polish crowds exiting the city’s stunning Stadion Narodowy – but the 1-1 stalemate will be considered a much better result for the co-hosts than their guests.
The Poles now go into their final game with Czech Republic knowing that nothing less than a win is good enough to qualify for the next round. But with their brave performance against the group favourites, the confidence is there to go and get the result – which would be their first ever victory in the tournament.
Five things we learned from the team’s performance
With first-choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny suspended, PSV Eindhoven stopper Przemyslaw Tyton came into the squad with huge expectation on his shoulders – and his performance was more than enough to keep him in with a shout when the Arsenal custodian returns to the squad for Saturday’s final group game. As well as being a calming influence to the back-line, he also managed to hold onto crosses and shots that most keepers would punch away. Whilst Tyton deserves to keep his starting berth ahead of Szczesny, Franciszek Smuda may have other ideas.
Although many were questioning his decision to switch to a 4-3-2-1 before the game, Smuda proved that he got his decision spot on. Crowding out the Russian midfield, the Poles limited their opponents to shots from distance for the majority of the game; and keeping discipline after going one-nil down, it was their favoured counter-attacking style which led to Blaszczykowski’s stunning equaliser.
With a few Polish fans doubting the loyalty of the “foreigners” in their national side; the French-born duo of Damien Perquis and Ludovic Obraniak, and former German under-21 internationals Sebastian Boenisch and Eugen Polanski proved their commitment to the White Eagles from National Anthem to full-time whistle. After all four blasted out the words to Mazurek Dabrowskiego, they went on to provide a sterling display that removed any doubt of where their loyalties may lie.
After nerves seemingly got the better of the co-hosts during their group opener, there were real worries that the Biale-Orly wouldn’t cope when the Russians, high on confidence after their 4-1 hammering of Czech Republic, came to visit. As it was, any worries were quickly erased as the home side set out to pressure Russia from the beginning, and for large parts dictated the play. Going into their final group game, it seems as though Smuda’s men now have the confidence to go and get a result under pressure.
Team fitness was also a massive talking point for a number of journalists following Poland’s dismal second half display against Greece; but following a small period of Russian dominance at the end of the first half, their showing after the break proved that they were able to last for the full ninety minutes. Right up until the full-time whistle Poland were willing to try to break on the counter; whilst Smuda’s use of substitutes – as opposed to his lack of use in the first game – ensured that the Russian defence were under threat until the end.
Man of the match: Eugen Polanski
Whilst Jakub Blaszczykowski will undoubtedly grab the headlines for his stunning strike, it was Mainz midfielder Eugen Polanski who was integral to the Poles’ performance. Playing in a three-man defensive-midfield rather than the two-man one he is accustomed to, Polanski was instrumental in breaking down the Russian attack, and surged forward helping his side to counter. Providing the knock which caused him to depart the field late on isn’t major, he’ll be certain to start against the Czechs.
Mood back home
Although the scoreline was the same, the manner of the 1-1 draw with Russia was completely different to the stalemate with Greece. Fearing the worst, most would have been pleased with a draw before the game; and with the Czechs winning earlier on, Poland fans will be happy that progression is still in their own hands. Still undefeated, everyone will be now hoping that they can break their win-less streak in the tournament to ensure a berth in the Quarter Finals.