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The Call Ups For The Games Against South Africa And Iraq. Boruc And Blaszczykowski Given A Rest.

May 15th, 2009 | By: tomasz | 20 Comments »

Leo Beenhakker announced a list of players called up for the friendly games against South Africa and Iraq. Artur Boruc is left out of the squad due to personal reasons (that’s an official version at least) and Kuba Blaszczykowski won’t play in the frendlies since he still has fitness problems. Leo wanted to include Ludovic Obraniak in the squad, but the Lille player is yet to be granted the Polish citizenship. Maybe he’ll earn his first cap in August against Greece.

Call ups for the June friendlies:

Goalkeepers:
Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal London), Lukasz Zaluska (Dundee United), Sebastian Przyrowski (Polonia Warsaw)

Defenders:
Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht), Dariusz Dudka (Auxerre), Michal Zewlakow (Olympiakos Pireus), Tomasz Jodlowiec (Polonia Warsaw), Bartosz Bosacki (Lech Poznan), Jakub Wawrzyniak (Panathinaikos)

Midfielders:
Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Lukasz Tralka (Polonia Warsaw), Rafal Murawski (Lech Poznan), Roger Guerreiro (Legia Warsaw), Rafal Boguski (Wisla Krakow), Slawomir Peszko (Lech Poznan), Jacek Krzynowek (Hannover 96)

Attackers:
Ireneusz Jelen (Auxerre), Dawid Nowak (GKS Belchatow), Euzebiusz Smolarek (Bolton Wanderers), Pawel Brozek (Wisla Krakow), Robert Lewandowski (Lech Poznan), Marek Saganowski (Southampton FC)

Backups:
Adam Stachowiak (Odra Wodzislaw), Jakub Rzezniczak (Legia Warsaw), Piotr Polczak (Cracovia Krakow), Piotr Brozek (Wisla Krakow), Tomasz Bandrowski (Lech Poznan), Dawid Janczyk (KSC Lokeren), Lukasz Sosin (Anorthosis Famagusta), Jakub Wilk (Lech Poznan)

Leo Beenhakker decided to put an end to any sort of experiments. There are almost no fresh faces in the national team, only the well known and well established players. Dawid Nowak is the only rookie in the squad, but his inclusion comes as no surprise as our assistant manager, Rafal Ulatowski, hinted lately that Nowak may count on a call up. The Belchatow striker has a natural talent for goals, which, aided by his speed, makes him a deadly weapon in the Polish Ekstraklasa. Can he be as deadly on the international stage? It’s high time we find out; at least as long as Nowak doesn’t injure himself once again (he’s already got injured three times after receiving call ups to the national team). Slawomir Peszko replaces Kuba Blaszczykowski in the squad and has a chance to become his permanent backup. Jakub Wawrzyniak is in the team, even though he tested positive for doping and faces even a two year ban. The Polish FA officials say that they are waiting for some official announcement regarding Wawrzyn from Greece. The player himsef admitted using a weight reduction medicament without consulting a specialist. Now he’ll have to pay for his extreme stupidity. Since we can’t count on Wawrzyniak in the remaining qualifying games I think Piotr Brozek from the backup list should be brought in as soon as possible. The player regarded to be the best left back in the Polish Ekstraklasa has already waited really long for his chance. Dawid Janczyk is only on the backup list. I find it surprising, especially when you consider the fact that Marek Saganowski ended the season more than a week ago and it’s hard to expect him to be in full fitness in June. Maybe he’ll be fighting for a new contract in the national team games.

Other news: Ireneusz Jelen prolonged his contract with Auxerre till 2011. It’s good for the national team as we can count on Jelen playing week in week out. On the other hand, the contract has got a minimum fee release clause (of unknown value) so Jelonek may be sold if a great offer comes along. Here are Irek’s two goals from the last game against Grenoble:

Jelen Vs. Grenoble [1]

Jelen Vs. Grenoble [2]

Mariusz Lewandowski may be in for the best week of his career. He scored the decisive goal in the Ukrainian Cup semi final against Dynamo Kiev and has a big chance of playing in the Uefa Cup final next week against Werder Bremen.

Tags: Beenhakker, Blaszczykowski, boruc, Group A, Janczyk, Jelen, Lewandowski, Nowak, Peszko, Piotr Brozek, Poland, Wawrzyniak

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Comments

By zaraza | May 15th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Beenhakker needs to resign already! Our “defenders” are just abysmal, and these friendlies were a perfect opportunity to test out possible replacements, yet Leo chooses to call up the same old players who have proven time and again that they’re not good enough.

We need to start grooming two new center-backs since Zewlakow and Bosacki are aging, while Dudka has proven that he’s not a CB. Jodlowiec is a good choice but what happened to Kokoszka? If his move to Italy is not working out, how about Glik, Banas, Pazdan, Polczak or Sadlok?

We also need players to put pressure on Wasilewski and Wawrzyniak as their performances have been far from impressive. Why is Piszczek not in the squad? This kid is very versatile and could compete with Wasilewski for the RB position, as well as for RW and LW if Blaszczykowski gets injured again (likely) or Obraniak doesn’t get his citizenship in time (also possible). Plus he’s a regular starter for a club which is currently third in the Bundesliga, so a call-up for Piszczek should have been a no-brainer!

Piotr Brozek should also have been called up to give him some experience. We seem to have no back-up plan in case Wawrzyniak gets injured or disqualified for a year, as seems likely.. (and no, Krzynek is not a decent back-up plan, he’s aging rapidly and he’s not comfortable in defense anyway).

The point of friendlies is to try out new ideas. We have nothing to lose by giving new candidates some playing time, only something to gain if they learn from the experience and become better prepared to step in when needed (very important given our high injury rate, as well as aging concerns). But instead of using South Africa to groom possible replacements, Leo calls up the same old players… I get the impression that he spent no time thinking about these call-ups and the long-term perspective for Poland. His mind is already on Feyenoord.

Posted from Canada

By zaraza | May 15th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

In this interview, Piszczek makes it clear that he’s in good health and hoping to be called up for South Africa. So this isn’t a Boruc/Blaszczykowski situation where they specifically asked to be rested:
http://www.eurosport.pl/pilka-nozna/bundesliga/2008-2009/porozmawiaj-z-nim_sto1939444/story.shtml

Posted from Canada

By Tomek | May 15th, 2009 at 3:52 pm

And R.Lewandowski scored again, he’s unbelievable.

Don’t except to see him in Lech Poznan next season, many clubs will be fighting for him.

I really hope he’ll move to a good club in Holland next summer. Borussia Dortmund would also be a great choice.

By tomasz | May 16th, 2009 at 3:01 am

@zaraza
I read an interview with Piszczek yesterday in which he said that he agreed with Leo not to be caled up for the games since he’s getting married at the same time. Kokoszka didn’t play in the last 3-4 games for Empoli, I don’t know, maybe he’s injured. I think Leo doesn’t care about the post qualifiers future at the moment. He’s calling up the players that he’ll most likely call up for the autumn games, he doesn’t think in the long run. He’s got a contract till the end of qualifiers and that’s what counts for him at the moment. I agree that it doesn’t feel like he’s giving his all for Poland and it pisses me off as well, but I’m waiting for the end of 2009 to give my final judgement on his work here.

By zaraza | May 16th, 2009 at 11:09 am

Germany or Holland would be a good move for Lewandowski, I just hope he doesn’t choose Italy, that would be career suicide.

tomasz, thanks for clearing that up about Piszczek. Kokoszka’s situation remains a mystery, no mention of injuries here
http://news.google.ca/news?um=1&ned=ca&hl=en&q=kokoszka+empoli

Posted from Canada

By hala | May 16th, 2009 at 1:43 pm

why would italy be career suicide??

By Tomek | May 16th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

^The gap between the Polish ekstraklasa and Serie A is simply too large.

Also Jelen scored again, his form this season is amazing. Could go to an even bigger club this summer, although he extended his contract recently.

By zaraza | May 16th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

“Career suicide” was perhaps an over-exaggeration but the fact remains, Polish players have always struggled to break through in Serie A, and it’s especially difficult for a young striker.

Jelen scored today against Paris St-Germain.
As for Dudka, Auxerre fans say he’s playing much better now that he’s been assigned a steady role as defensive midfielder. Previously they played him in a variety of defensive and midfield positions, even right wing, and his performances were, not surprisingly, uneven.

Young defender Blazej Augustyn played 28 minutes today in Serie B.

Posted from Canada

By zaraza | May 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

Piszczek played again as a RB.

The Polish league remains incredibly tight at the top.
http://www.90minut.pl/liga/0/liga3782.html

Posted from Canada

By Msudzi | May 16th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

Leo has to retire are you crazy. Poland has very little talent overall. They have no defenders playing in any of the big leagues. In Polish league is slow and they just dont defend. That is why the Brazilian who came from a 3rd division Brazilian team is the best defender in Poland. Fire him he should become a Polish saint for getting this average bunch of players to qualify for turnaments

Posted from United States

By zaraza | May 16th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

Crazy is keeping a coach that makes no secret of the fact that he just doesn’t care. Beenhakker has made it clear that Feyenoord is more important to him than his paying job as Poland’s coach, what crazy country would tolerate that?

Thanks to his incredible leadership, we’re currently third behind a pseudo-country (Northern Ireland) and Slovakia (which is 1/8 the size of Poland). Wow, we should shower him with medals.

Posted from Canada

By witold | May 16th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

Incredible goal by Jelen today against PSG, Wow! It is a must to see. This guy plays simply unbelievable since his recovery,and a lot of his goals is against the top french team. Actually is our best player in 2009…

Fabianski has a good match against Manchester United, a clean sheet and a nice intervention to prevent Tevez to shoot.

It is very terrible to see that Leo does nothing to improve our team, i’m disgusted…

By Paradowski | May 16th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

Based on the WC qualifying table Leo should work with the group that he expects to play in the qualifiers. I would like to see new talent too, but because they have to win now the team should work and stay together in preparation for the qualifiers. If Leo can work-in some youngsters with the veterans, particularly on defense, that would be great. Maybe he’ll pick a good one when Wawrzyniak gets the boot.

Sometimes you can see inside a team or player when they celebrate a goal. Another awesome goal by Jelen, his second vs. Grenoble. I like the guys that fly (reminiscent of Zuwrarski). His first vs. Grenoble was not spectacular, but cool to see again he naturally gives his teammates credit. Jelen is always cool & classy. One of my favorite Ekstraklasa celebrations this year (from highlights) was Frankowski’s first after returning to Poland from Chicago – nice hockey-like fist punch (cool!). Blaszczykowski’s latest great goal vs Karksruhe: that was silly; at first thinking “what the ” then, seeing teammates join in the straight-armed antics; then wondering what the inside joke is (fun enough). Some goal celebrations weird-me-out, like Wichniarek some time ago pushing away one teammate almost angrily so he can huge and kiss another (???). Smolarek’s: as much as I enjoy his goals, I’m not sure what to make of the celebrations; a little bit too much all about himself (too much “me me me”). Now the big cat Mariusz – great to see the goal! A nice pass followed by a hell of a run into available space and opportunity (with 6 + 1 teammates behind him so no one should worry there). Great to see him running with joy after his goal. But I couldn’t help feeling awkward about the lack of celebration around him, by the coaches on the side and management in the box stands. What’s up with that? Maybe the highlight didn’t show enough of the players celebration and was cut short, but Shakhtar Ukrainians and offense usually jump all over each other after a goal (and this was a semi-final game).

Posted from United States

By hala | May 17th, 2009 at 12:40 am

Well idk lewandowski might do good there, I mean even Salamon a 17 year old is getting regualar time in Italy..

By Tomek | May 17th, 2009 at 3:16 am

^In serie B. That’s a big difference.

Posted from Netherlands

By Paradowski | May 17th, 2009 at 7:46 am

^ witold, great to hear about Fabianski in goal. (working all day, I didn’t get to check into much football; just this WC Blog).

Posted from United States

By adas | May 17th, 2009 at 9:58 pm

How can anyone say Poland has little talent? They have talent. Its not the best talent, but lately they have been going to the big tournaments and failing to show up. That’s not having “little talent”. Also, if Leo’s such a great coach, why has he done no better than the last Polish coaches who preceded him. True, he got Poland to their first Euro finals, but he failed to get out of the first round.

By Paradowski | May 17th, 2009 at 10:24 pm

Leo has been good because more player what to play for Poland. Maybe that’s not because of Beenhakker but the nt should be better placed on the table and I don’t really think that is all his fault. There have been crazy mistakes against Slovakia and N. Ireland — is that the coaches fault? I think Leo and team have an up hill battle; but I like tomasz’s idea to give him his time to judge him.

Posted from United States

By adas | May 18th, 2009 at 11:46 am

Paradowski, don’t get me wrong. I appreciate Leo very much. Someone posted earlier that Poland has little talent and made it sound as though all Poland has right now in terms of football is Leo. He’s a damn good coach, and I know it must be frustrating for him because the players aren’t used to his methods. That’s on the players, not him. He will be blamed for losses and failure, which isn’t fair. However, the reason he took the Poland job was because he saw talent and felt he could mold it. To say there is little talent is a slap in the face. If Poland has little talent, what do you say about San Marino, and a number of other small countries and programs?

By Paradowski | May 19th, 2009 at 12:12 am

adas, I appreciate the discussion — well, in recent comments in the last several articles, several names have been suggested as new and up coming talent for Poland. This is encouraging and I should go back to make a note of those names to check progress and look for potential highlights. Many were defensive player suggested (to bad defensive highlights are not readily available), which was good to hear. I think the situation for Polish football is getting better. And I think Leo is right, because if Poles can develop in other countries (i.e. Jagielka for Everton) they should and can develop in Poland. Jagielka won the top “end of season” award for the Everton team by the way. Dang — wish he chose Poland (but he was born and raised in England). here is the link about the Everton award: http://www.evertonfc.com/news/08/09-end-of-season-awards.html

Cheers!

Posted from United States

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