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Back To National Team Business: Call Ups For The Friendlies Against Lithuania And Wales.

January 15th, 2009 | By: tomasz | 19 Comments »

Leo Beenhakker called up players from the Polish Ekstraklasa for the February training camp in Portugal and friendlies against Lithuania and Wales. There is only one newcomer in the squad: Jakub Wilk from Lech Poznan. Other than that, there are no surprises; Leo picked players that he already tested in World Cup qualifiers and during last year’s friendly against Serbia. Click to see Leo’s choices.

Goalkeepers:
Sebastian Przyrowski (Polonia Warsaw), Radoslaw Cierzniak (Korona Kielce), Adam Stachowiak (Odra Wodzislaw)

Defenders:
Jakub Rzezniczak (Legia Warsaw), Jakub Wawrzyniak (Legia Warsaw), Piotr Celeban (Slask Wroclaw), Tomasz Jodlowiec (Polonia Warsaw), Mariusz Pawelec (Slask Wroclaw), Marcin Komorowski (Polonia Bytom), Piotr Polczak (Cracovia Krakow)

Midfielders:
Jakub Wilk (Lech Poznan), Roger Guerreiro (Legia Warsaw), Rafal Boguski (Wisla Krakow), Lukasz Gargula (GKS Belchatow), Piotr Kuklis (GKS Belchatow), Adam Danch (Gornik Zabrze), Lukasz Tralka (Lechia Gdansk), Antoni Lukasiewcz (Slask Wroclaw), Maciej Malkowski (Odra Wodzislaw)

Attackers:
Pawel Brozek (Wisla Krakow), Wojciech Lobodzinski (Wisla Krakow), Dawid Nowak (GKS Belchatow), Tomasz Zahorski (Gornik Zabrze), Michal Zielinski (Polonia Bytom)

Backups: Michal Pazdan (Gornik Zabrze), Szymon Pawlowski (Zaglebie Lubin), Michal Gliwa (Polonia Warsaw)

Seven of those players, Roger Guerreiro, Jakub Wawrzyniak, Pawel Brozek, Rafal Boguski, Wojciech Lobodzinski, Lukasz Gargula and Lukasz Tralka, will play in both friendlies, whereas the rest will only take part in the game against Lithuania (and probably an exhibition match against some Portuguese club). Because of Lech’s encounter with Udinese in the Uefa Cup, three Kolejorz players, Robert Lewandowski, Rafal Murawski and Grzegorz Wojtkowiak, will join the rest of the squad after the friendly against Lithuania.

Leo is very consistent in his choices, he called up almost all the players that took part in the training camp before the friendly against Serbia; the only players that didn’t make it this time are Mariusz Magiera from Gornik Zabrze and Janusz Gancarczyk from Slask Wroclaw. The only freshman is Jakub Wilk, who is another player picked by Leo because of his constant search for good, left footed players. Wilk can play both as a left back and a left winger, he even played in the centre of the field in some games for Lech. You can read about the less known players here.

I’m a bit disappointed that Leo once again omitted Piotr Brozek. Pawel’s twin brother is one of the best left backs in the Ekstraklasa (he certainly isn’t worse than Jakub Wawrzyniak) and should finally be given a chance to show what he’s capable of in the national team, especially considering our situation with left backs. I’m also surprised by Leo’s undying faith in Wojciech Lobodzinski, it’s been a year since the Wisla winger had a decent game. The fact that Lobo is also called up for the Wales game means that Leo still considers him a member of the first team. The only player to make a jump from the B team to the A one is Lukasz Tralka, who must have really impressed Leo during the training camp before the Serbia game (he wasn’t exactly league’s star last year). Bartosz Bosacki and Tomasz Bandrowski were omitted this time, probably due to Franz Smuda’s will to have as many players at his disposal as possible before the cup draw against Udinese.

The players who earn their money abroad will be picked on the 26th of January.

Other news: Polish Soca showed the new Nike kits that the Bialo Czerwoni will wear in the game against Wales. Fortunately, these are not the jerseys that Poland will wear in the World Cup qualifying matches; I’ll never accept the lack of the eagle crest on the chest. I hope that Nike isn’t even considering such an option.

Tags: Beenhakker, Group A, Lobodzinski, Piotr Brozek, Poland, Tralka

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Comments

By zaraza | January 15th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

I agree about Piotr Brozek. Considering that we have so few choices at leftback, he and even Krzysztof Krol should have gotten a chance.
Except for Pawel Brozek, our strike force looks completely toothless. Some of them aren’t really strikers…
Lobodzinski? I think it’s time to give up on him.
Disappointed to see that Pawlowski is only on the stand-by list.
Majewski seems to have been dropped completely…

Posted from Canada

By kacinski | January 15th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

lets pray they bring back the eagle crest before qualifications resume, by the way why did Leo only limit his choices to ekstraklasa players for this friendly?

By zaraza | January 15th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

Looks like my speculation about Majewski being dropped is incorrect: Tomasz pointed out in the other thread that Majewski is recovering from an injury.

kacinski, it’s because the match is not on an official FIFA date so foreign clubs usually won’t release players.

Posted from Canada

By paradowski | January 16th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

That 1st Nike kit is pathetic and disrespectful IMO. How lame or useless could Nike be? The screen printing process isn’t limited by time so much that Nike couldn’t have done better. We’ve all known about this deal for awhile now. This Nike jersey, even if temporary, is an example of the failure of Lato in his PZPN role. If he was a reasonable leader he’d have sent someone, or gone himself, to Nike with the artwork or transparencies to generate a proper Polska NT Jersey.

Previously, I thought maybe I try not to judge Lato based on the circumstances of his election or what I read from others’ opinions. But now I can see the evidence myself that he is a goof.

Posted from United States

By dmac | January 16th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

You know, I have to disagree with you paradowski. I don’t really think that Nike template jersey is bad. It is a lot better, in my opinion, than having 3 large Puma logos plastered all of the jersey. I have little doubt that the soccer/wing logo will eventually be replaced by the Eagle crest. This is actually the problem with this, we have two great images: the Polish Eagle crest, and the very nice looking ball/wing logo. Really, only one should be on the jersey, otherwise the jersey is too busy looking. If it were up to me I would have the Eagle in the upper + middle of the jersey with the Nike swoosh either top left or top right. I would get rid of the ball/wing logo. Although it looks very attractive, I don’t think there is much room for it. I have confidence in Nike; they are able to make nice, clean, professional looking jerseys that are both classy and youthful.

Posted from United States

By Michal Z | January 16th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/the-masal-bugduv-hoax.html

Read this article, it is PURE class. And a very apparent clue as to why we shouldn’t entirely trust the media in any situation.

By paradowski | January 17th, 2009 at 8:48 am

Puma, the PZPN, and now Nike have put their own special interest ahead of the National team interest. A national team symbol (Eagle crest) should be considered foremost in the design. Puma’s logos all over the jersey was gaudy and arrogant as they tried to out stage the national team identity. The PZPN is no different with their logo (winged ball) now given more importance than the country they represent. The PZPN should not accept the over zealous commercial interests. This is all representative of how the PZPN needs to get their priorities corrected.

[hope your right dmac about Nike's being able to design a classier jersey]

Posted from United States

By Michal Z | January 17th, 2009 at 11:20 am

I feel sorry for Smolarek. Seeing a donkey like Makakula start after waiting months himself has got to hurt. Shame.

By gregorio | January 17th, 2009 at 11:25 am

I guess it can be better judged when we see the jersey in an actual match, on our players. I always liked the nike’s shirts for euro2004 and later (those worn by portugal or holland). What I didn’t like about our old puma jerseys was that they were too loose and made the players look shapeless.

But as for the logo-thing, absolutely there should be the eagle there! and pzpn logo could be more complex. our colours set and the design of the jersey is a bit too simple for me.

Posted from Poland

By Tomek | January 17th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

Damn, Robert Lewandowski is getting popular around the world…
Many foreigners comment on his Youtube videos, many foreign forum write about him. Though most of his “fame” comes from the fact that he’s supposedly godly in Football Manager.

Posted from Netherlands

By zaraza | January 17th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

Apparently Bartosz Salamon was in the starting eleven for Brescia today. He played the full game, 4:0 win against Pisa. Perhaps it’s better that he stay at Brescia, at least until the end of the season. He’ll learn a lot more playing regularly there than at West Ham/Chelsea/Real Madrid where he’d probably rot in reserves.

Posted from Canada

By Marek | January 17th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Rough Translation from an article in Italian:

The midfielder of Brescia, Bartosz Salamon: “I’m not happy of my performance, I played a few too many balls and often arrived late on the ball losing contrasts. I also took a yellow card to my first game by a holder that could certainly save money. I am pleased with the confidence that has given me Sonetti and ‘opportunity to play owner, and I hope in future that this trust has not taken off me. “

Posted from Canada

By paradowski | January 17th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

Thanks Tomek – I forgot about NT kits to check-out Robert Lewandowski highlights! … … now I want a R. Lewandowski jersey! That back kick goal against GKS Górnicy is one for the ages. You know it, but just in case someone new, it’s at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP8pi3C9U6Y&feature=related ; rated #1 so have to wait for it ). I see he’s a topic of discussion at the ‘talking reds ManU forum’ http://community.manutd.com/forums/p/29905/269840.aspx

Ebi didn’t play vs ManUtd so I won’t go to a pub to see the same day coverage tonight.

Posted from United States

By Tomek | January 17th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

If Robert Lewandowski won’t become a world class footballer, then i’ll eat my Poland jersey. Scores in the Polish league, National team and UEFA Cup.
And only 20 years ago. And a few months ago no one even heard of him.
He and Blaszczu are the future of Polish football.

And Ebi needs to get out of Bolton ASAP. I guess that Feyenoord is going to buy more experienced players with their new coach (At least that would be the wisest thing to do, they have too many youngsters there) , so why not?

By Tomek | January 17th, 2009 at 5:59 pm

^LOL of course I meant “Only 20 years old”.

By zaraza | January 17th, 2009 at 6:53 pm

Here’s another quote about Salamon:
“Spendo una parola su Salamon: ha giocato una gara di personalità e una duttilità spaventosa per uno che ha diciassette anni. Per lui prevedo un futuro di soddisfazioni.”
http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/?action=read&id=136751

According to a free translator: “I spend a word about Salamon: he played a race personality and ductility frightening for someone who has seventeen years. For him, I expect a future of satisfaction.”

I think what they were saying is that Salamon showed a lot of character and versatility for someone his age. But that’s just my guess, the translation is pretty garbled… Anyway, it’s terrific that he managed to get a full game at such a young age, even if it’s only due to injuries.

This site gave him a mark of 6.5
http://www.datasport.it/leggi.aspx?id=5497135

Napoli’s Pierpaolo Marino was in the area and decided to drop in to watch Salamon:
“I am here to see the debut of Salamon, a seventeen of which we speak very well. I came to see him so one day I can say that I was here too, but mainly because we are in retreat not far from here.”
http://www.calciomercato.com/index.php?c=28&a=109336

It’s pretty disappointing to see that Kupisz and Cywka still haven’t gotten a chance in a league game even though they’ve both impressed in the little time they’ve been given in cups. At the start of the season Kupisz scored a nice goal in the Carling Cup and generally looked very promising according to Wigan fans. But he’s not been rewarded with a chance in a league game, he never even makes the bench.

Same story with Cywka, he’s not even making the bench despite making a good impression on Wigan fans during the FA Cup. Since Wigan seems to have no intention of giving them playing time, why doesn’t the club just loan them out? Cywka especially needs to start getting experience.

Posted from Canada

By Tomek | January 17th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

^Great news about Salomon, Leo should notice him.

And the Premier League simply doesn’t like Polish players I guess,
Ebi wasn’t even on the squad list today at the the Man Utd game, despite him scoring a great goal not too long ago.

By tomasz | January 18th, 2009 at 8:32 am

Nice you keep track of Salamon, I can’t wait to see him in a game. Kokoszka played 90 minutes for Empoli, Janota was on Feyenoord’s bench. Fojut wasn’t even on Bolton’s bench, he should move away from there as fast as possible. Kupisz is still young, but Cywka’s case is especially frustrating. He plays well in the cup, is reserves’ top player, but is yet to even debut in the Premiership. It must be very demoralizing for him.

By tomasz | January 18th, 2009 at 8:33 am

Sorry, demotivating, not demoralizing. I wouldn’t like this to happen to such a young man.

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