Meet The Future Euro Champs: Central Defenders.

This is a position where experience is crucial. That’s why Leo Beenhakker chose three players who have already played in a large number of international matches and only one who’s in Austria to learn (mainly during trainings).

Jacek Bak and Michal Zewlakow already played in two World Cup tournaments. Mariusz Jop represented us 2 years ago in Germany. The only rookie here is Adam Kokoszka from Wisla Krakow, who is a player discovered by Leo after careful observation of the Polish league. The biggest advantage of our central defenders is their experience. They played a number of important matches both in the national team and at a club level so it’s highly unlikely they’re going to panic this time. The biggest disadvantage is their lack of pace and agility. One can only hope that they’ll make up for it with anticipation. There is also a possibility that Zewlakow is going to play as a left back, in this case Jop will partner Bak in the centre.

Jacek Bak:
Date of Birth:23.03.1973
Position: DC
Club: Austria Vienna
Number of caps: 94/3 goals
Shirt nr:6
Nickname:Komar (a Mosquito), Parasol (an Umbrella)
Role in the team: the leader of our defensive line and a dead cert to start against Germans. He organizes the defence and brings calmness to our defensive play. The best technically skilled Polish defender. Retires after the Euros.
My opinion: he’s been the most elegantly playing Polish defender for the last 10 years. I especially admire the fact that he doesn’t give away the ball too cheaply. Can trigger a counter with a nice, direct pass. Unfortunately, at 35 he may have problems to keep up with the pace of the game.
Interesting fact: won and lost French league championship in a single season. During the 2002/2003 campaign he played one game for Lyon and was later transferred to Lens, a leader at that time. In the end, Lens lost the title to Lyon in the last game of the season.
Best known for: I’ll always remember him for opening the scoring in our friendly against Italy. We won 3-1 and it was one of the best Polish nt matches I’ve ever seen

Michal Zewlakow:
Date of Birth: 22.04.1976
Position: DC, DL, DR
Club: Olympiakos Pireus
Number of caps: 75/2 goals
Shirt nr: 14
Nickname: Zewlak
Role in the team: he’s the most versatile Polish defender. He’s already played as a left back, a right back and a centre back in the national team. Nowadays, he feels best when playing a centre back. However, after Bronowicki’s injury he may have to switch to a left back position once again.
My opinion: a player that Polish fans can always count on. Maybe it’s difficult to single out a game that he’s won for us, but at the same time I can’t think of a one in which he was horrible. I love his hard work and modesty. It’s shame he never played in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Interesting fact: along with brother Marcin they were the first twins to have played for a Polish national team.
Best known for: he surprised us lately with a superb sommersault. Miro Klose should polish his shoes

Mariusz Jop:
Date of Birth: 03.08.1978
Position: DC
Club: FC Moscow
Number of caps: 24/0 goals
Shirt nr: 2
Nickname: don’t know any, maybe the readers will help me with this one
Role in the team: usually a defender that covers for injured or out of form players. He was our starting centre back in some part of Janas’ era, but failed to shine in the 2006 World Cup. At first he wasn’t called up bu Leo, but when needed he gave a great display against Portugal away.
My opinion: I remeber him as a very mistake prone player back in the days when he was playing for Wisla Krakow. He wasn’t even always a first team regular there. That’s why he was sold to FC Moscow. Then he returned to the national team as a different player, I couldn’t believe my eyes. He’s still not what you would call a classy player, but he’s perfect for a backup. Very aggresive style of play.
Interesting fact: he is the first Polish player that scored a goal in the Russian league. Who would’ve thought.
Best known for: losing a decisive header in the penalty box in our loss against Ecuador in 2006

to end on a positive note, here’s his beautiful goal from the Polish league

Adam Kokoszka:
Date of Birth: 06.10.1986
Position: DC, DR
Club: Wisla Krakow
Number of caps: 7/2 goals
Shirt nr: 23
Nickname: Kokos (a Coconut)
Role in he team: to gain experience and learn from Bak and Zewlakow. He’s yet to play in a competetive game for Poland as all his 7 caps were friendlies. He’ll leave the bench only in critical situation. He’s tall and powerful, but still has to develop in terms of on the ball skills. The best defender of the Polish youth team.
My opinion: a player ‘made in Beenhakker’. That means that it is Leo who really triggered his career and believes in his progress. Lately, I also started to notice Kokoszka’s potential. Now the most important thing for him is a regular play, hopefully he’ll get it at Wisla next season.
Interesting fact: Leo called him up for the first time when he wasn’t even playing in the Polish league. It’s our assistant coach, Dariusz Dziekanowski, who suggested giving Kokoszka a chance. Dziekan met him when he was the Polish youth team coach.
Best known for: good scoring record for a centre back