Meet The Future Euro Champs: Full Backs.

June 6th, 2008 | by: tomasz | Comments(3)

This is one position that we’ve always had problems with. It’s because Polish coaches realised quite late that it’s better to play 4 in the back than 3 in the back. As a result, our full backs don’t possess this natural drive for an offensive play.

To top it all up this time, our starting left back, Grzegorz Bronowicki, is injured and won’t participate in the Euros. As it stands, we’re left with 3 full backs: Marcin Wasilewski and Pawel Golanski play on the right side, whereas Jakub Wawrzyniak is a left back. All those players were introduced properly to the team by Leo, who spent a lot of time watching the Polish league in search of at least solid full backs. It all ended up well for Wasilewski and Golanski, who left the Polish league for Anderlecht and Steaua respectively after good performances for Bialo Czerwoni. The biggest problem is the left back position as Wawrzyniak has never played in a serious international game. Leo may decide to pick Michal Zewlakow ahead of him. To sum it all up, a full back is a position that’s not our biggest strength, but the goal is not to make it our weakness.

Marcin Wasilewski:
Date of Birth: 09.06.1980
Position: DR
Club: Anderlecht
Number of caps: 27/1 goal
Shirt nr: 13
Nickname: Wasyl, Don Wasyl, Czolg (a Tank)
Role in the team: he’ll be our starting right back. He’s the most powerful and muscular player in the team. He’s also very dangerous during corners and free kicks, has great heading timing. A very aggresive player. May prove to be a two-edged sword as he rarely ends a game without a yellow card (he receives it even before entering the field, as we say in Poland).
My opinion: at first, I feared that he may not be a player of an international potential. He played horribly against Finland in our opening qualifying game. Only in the game against Belgium did he prove that he may strengthen the team. I value his aggresiveness and never-say-die attitude, but I’m always afraid that he’ll end up with a red card. His lack of pace also worries me.
Interesting fact: he was a leader of top goalscorers classification in the Polish league in the beginning of 2006/07 season. It only proves his superb heading abilities.
Best known for: an interview about loose shorts (only for Polish speakers, sorry)

and heading abilities (a goal in his debut game for Anderlecht)

Pawel Golanski:
Date of Birth: 12.10.1982
Position: DR, DL
Club: Steaua Bucharest
Number of caps: 10/1 goal
Shirt nr: 4
Nickname: Golo
Role in the team: yet to be decided. He’ll be either Wasyl’s backup at right back or a starting left back if Leo decides he’s ready. Until now, he’s only played on the right side for the national team and Steaua. Romanian journalists consider him the best right back in the Romanian league.
My opinion: I think he’s a better footballer than Wasyl. He’s faster, better on the ball and can cross well. Unfortunately, he doesn’t possess Wasyl’s strength and health. Really flourished this year in Romania, there were even talks about his possible transfer to FC Porto (confirmed by the player himself)
Interesting fact: after one of his first games for Steaua, Gigi Becali, club’s owner, said that Golanski will never again wear Steaua’s jersey. After the end of the season Becali said that Golanski is not for sale for any price.
Best known for: a spectacular goal for Steaua

and well taken free kicks

Jakub Wawrzyniak:
Date of Birth: 07.07.1983
Position: DL, DC, DMC
Club: Legia Warsaw
Number of caps: 11/0 goals
Shirt nr: 3
Nickname: Wawrzyn
Role in the team: after Bronowicki’s injury he’s considered for a position of the starting left back. Normally, he’s a bench player who can cover almost any spot in the defence; he even played as a DMC against Serbia in the qualifiers. The fact that he’s left footed is one of his biggest strengths.
My opinion: it’s hard to judge a player based only on friendlies. I liked his performance against Serbia, but wasn’t impressed on a number of other occasions. But, as I’m a Leo believer, I believe he has international potential. Would like him to start against Germans, I have a good feeling about it.
Interesting fact: recently listed as the 15th ugliest Euro Champs player by Who Ate All The Pies. Would be higher if he was widely recognized.
Best known for: nothing characteristic really, but he can score a beautiful goal

There you have it. After careful analysis of both centre backs and full backs how would you like our defence to be constructed (choose 4 players)?

Who should play in the Polish defence?
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