Ukraine-Poland Preview. We’ve Got A New Captain.

The moment we’ve been waiting for since our last game at Euros has come. It’s time to start a new chapter in Polish national team history. We need a new-look team for our World Cup qualifiers. Do we have new players that can step in and perform on the international level? The friendly against Ukraine is the best way to find out.

Changes, changes, changes. Some interesting things we learnt from Leo today. Most importantly, we’ve got a new captain. Leo announced that Michal Zewlakow will be team’s captain throughout World Cup qualifiers. Not a surprising decision since Magic Zurawski wasn’t called up for the game and Zewlak is one of the most experienced players in the team. This also shows that Leo isn’t really counting on Zuraw in the upcoming qualifiers. He may return to the team, but certainly not as one of the key players. Something that we had to expect after Magic once again proved in the Euros that he’s far from being a born leader. Zewlakow may not be the most charismatic personality in the team, but he’s certainly a likable character and a model professional.

Ireneusz Jelen may as well be Leo’s mystery new striker. Leo stated clearly that he wants to try Jelonek as a lone striker rather that placing him on the right wing. He plays on this position in France and can be the solution that we’re looking for upfront. Moreover, he also adds the speed that we so much lacked in the Euros. I believe that, once healthy, Jelen can threaten any defence in the world. He’s a player that doesn’t calculate much and just leaves his best on the pitch. I’m glad that Leo is ending speculation about a supposed conflict with Irek. Ebi Smolarek, therefore, will rival Jacek Krzynowek for the spot on the left wing. Nothing to complain about as Ebi played his best games for Poland on the flank.

Marcin Kowalczyk will get a serious chance to show off his skills, especially after Grzegorz Bronowicki re-injured his knee (bad luck just can’t leave him). He’ll play right back; a position that he occupies in Dinamo Moscow. I’m very curious to see what’s the real level that Kowalczyk represents nowadays. He was quite good in the Polish league, but he also claims that he improved much after moving to Russia. Now it’s time to prove it on the pitch. This may also mean that Pawel Golanski will start as our left back. Remember Golanski…..game against Germany….Podolski’s second goal? Still hurts, doesn’t it? As much as I think Golanski is a good player, he’s only a temporary solution on the left flank. Let’s hope he’ll escape the Euro demons.

Another important question is who will partner Michal Zewlakow in central defence. Dariusz Dudka will probably remain a midfielder in the national team, especially after he fulfills the same role in Auxerre. Then we’re left with two youngsters; Adam Kokoszka and Piotr Polczak. The former is one of Leo’s favourites, but his recent transfer problems can harm his chances. Leo already stated that Kokos won’t be called up if he doesn’t start playing regularly for Empoli come September. Wisla and Empoli still haven’t reached any kind of agreement concerning the transfer fee so we may not see Kokoszka in the league this year. Polczak impressed Leo a lot during training sessions in Wronki, but he doesn’t have any proper international experience. It will be interesting to see who our coach views as Jacek Bak’s successor. My money is on Kokoszka this time around.

Finally, Leo apologised to Tomasz Zahorski’s wife Ewa for taking her husband away. Zahorski got married at the weekend and he didn’t exactly have time to….well….how to put it……get to know his wife better? At least he remains full of energy.