Uefa Cup Latest: Khazar Lenkoran-Lech Poznan 0:1, Legia Warsaw-Gomel 0:0.

At first, I’d like to state that I’m not watching Polish clubs in European competition because it gives me pleasure. On contrary, it is a very painful experience. So why the hell do I care to devote my time to our ’stars’ competing with mighty teams from Azerbaijan or Belarus? It’s because I want to check how the national team candidates are doing. All for the love of Bialo Czerwoni.

Khazar Lenkoran-Lech Poznan 0:1 (76′ Lewandowski)
Lech: Kotorowski – Wojtkowiak, Bosacki, Arboleda, Henriques – Peszko, Injac, Bandrowski (46. Lewandowski), Djurdjevic – Stilic (90. Wilk), Rengifo (90. + 3 Cueto)

Quite a good performance from Lech, they should’ve won by a bigger margin. They try to play fast, one touch football, but sometimes lack of skills doesn’t enable them to do it. I watched this game because of two players: Tomasz Bandrowski and Robert Lewandowski (pictured), who both I see as a national team prospects. Bandrowski disappointed; don’t get me wrong, he’s got the skills but he just couldn’t use them today. He took too much time on the ball and slowed down Lech’s attacks. He also lost possession a couple of times, which just can’t happen when you play as a MC/DMC. Lewandowski, on the other hand, had an impressive debut for Lech. First of all, he scored with a nice, placed shot. He’s also quite confident on the ball, fast and agile. Definitely one of young Poles to watch in the upcoming season. Bartosz Bosacki had a decent game; maybe after Bak’s retirement he’s worth a second look.

Legia Warsaw-Gomel 0:0
Legia: Mucha – Rzezniczak, Choto, Szala, Kielbowicz – Radovic, Vukovic, Giza (61. Roger), Iwanski (77. Rocki), Rybus – Arruabarrena (61. Chinyama)

A pathetic performance by Legia. Both teams looked like taken straight from a Sunday league pitch. There was simply no quality and concept in Legia’s play. Now they face a tough rematch in Belarus in two weeks’ time. I concentrated on two players: Jakub Rzezniczak and Maciej Rybus. I think the former made a big progress last season. He also started this game quite well: a lot of forward runs, nice dribbles and passes, no mistakes in defence. Unfortunately, just as the whole Legia team, he was weaker and weaker with every minute. What I also observed is that Rzezniczak looks physically stronger than before, at last he grew some muscles. 18 year old Rybus had a quiet game. He didn’t make much mistakes, but at the same time he wasn’t very influential. Just a one nice dribble is not enough for me. Roger is definitely out of shape, he wasn’t able to change the course of the game after he went in. An average Legia debut from Maciej Iwanski (one more proof to convince Leo that he’s good only at a league level) and a poor performance from Piotr Giza. What happenned to that guy? I remember when in 2006 I really considered him a national team material.

Other news: The case of Ebi’s transfer to Toulouse is not as closed as I thought. Basically, some sources say that the transfer is on the best way to be finalised, whereas others claim that Toulouse has already resigned from acquaring Ebi.

Lukasz Piszczek scored three goals in Hertha’s 8-1 Uefa Cup win against Nistru Otaci. A good way to win a regular place in the team for next season.

Grzegorz Szamotulski, former psychotic Legia Warsaw keeper and currently nicknamed a ‘Monk’, is negotiating a contract with Nottingham Forest. Good, there will be more entertaining interviews to come.

Przemyslaw Kazmierczak supposedly has offers from West Bromwich and Middlesbrough. Which means he’ll most probably end up in Dundee United.

Ireneusz Jelen scored two goals for Auxerre in a 5-1 friendly win against Alfortville. Good to see him healthy at last. Dariusz Dudka also played in the match.

Adam Kokoszka still hasn’t signed a contract with anybody.