Surprisingly, for a nation that finished third in the World Cup in 1974 and 1982, Poland have never previously qualified for the European Championships finals, a statistic that would have been even more embarassing if it had continued for another four years when they will co-host the 2012 tournament.
Early disappointments against Finland and Serbia at home in qualifying Group A seemed to galvanise the Poles and they went on a twelve game romp to qualification glory (one defeat against Armenia aside). Beating Portugal at home and Belgium away and drawing 2 - 2 with the Portuguese away were the main statements of intent as the much derided foreign coach Leo Beenhakker turned the tables on a sceptical Polish press. Being drawn with Germany, Austria and Croatia is far from the most difficult group to get out of at Euro 2008 which bodes well for the Poles.
Despite being a three time La Liga title winner as coach of Real Madrid, Leo Beenhakker could surely forgive his detractors for believing that the Polish job was one step too far in a coaching career that has literally spanned the globe. The renowned motivator has proven those critics wrong however and silenced the legions of Polish legends who condemned a foreign coaching appointment. Dutchman or not, Beenhakker has taken Poland to the European Championships, a feat which no Polish coach has previously achieved.
Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has some strong competition for the number one jersey from Jerzy Dudek and Tomasz Kuszczak but some eye catching displays in the Champion's League have made Boruc a wanted man at some of Europe's top clubs and an odds-on bet to keep goal for the Poles this summer.
While he may struggle for gametime at Germany's Wolfsburg, Jacek Krzynowek is still one of Poland's main inspirations from midfield. Solid in the tackle, inventive going forward and able to hammer a ball from open play or the dead ball, he will play a big part in Poland's attempts to scramble out of their group.
