Poland v. Croatia [R]

[RibbyBollywood]

One doesn't have to cuss to make their point or make outlandish claims about someone thinking they invented the internet. You don't know what my last name is. Man, I watched Poland play in Mexico in 1986 versus the likes of Brazil.

There was a big drop off in the friendlies and 3-0 is a thrashing no matter how you look at it.

'06 saw Poland draw Croatia in a friendly.

I think you are just trying to start something. Everyone and their dog knows that Poland advanced to the World Cup '06 along with England in that group and facing opponents like Northern Ireland and maybe Wales.

Sure, we've all seen the history, there was still a big drop off in friendlies and a 3-0 loss can not bode well for anything especially since many Poles would dismiss the US as not being some big power. Germany had some close friendlies too and they may well point to some weakness we are now seeing.

Sorry, I'll bet saying that the US whipped Poland is what is upsetting at what I said, many Poles definitely would like to think of the US as a 3rd rate soccer power, that is so.


it has nothing to do with losing 3-0 to the USA or any of those friendlies... if you have followed Polish football over the years or for that matter ANY history of Polish football you would know that the same shite has happened to us in the World Cup 2002, World Cup 2006, and now this Euro 2008 where the qualifying has been extraordinary and then the tournament is all for none... Polish fans and supporters have been seeing this for the better part of 8 years now. just because you looked at the Euro 2008 qualifying table and the recent results of the friendlies DOES NOT mean you have made a break through in thought. are you going to claim you invented the internet while you are at it? because Poland's problem isn't the manager, it is their confidence. in qualifiers they play care free with nothing to lose. but in the big tournament they go all mental and think they are lessers to everyone. it is sickening seeing this happen over and over again. they have the ability and the quality to give the good sides a run for their money. BUT when it comes times to the matches that mean the most in the tournaments. the guys that need to step up, decide to take a step back and hope someone else carries them. :(

[Gunning4Chelsea]

so long krzynowek, zurawski, bak, jop!

[BMike86]

I think you are just trying to start something. Everyone and their dog knows that Poland advanced to the World Cup '06 along with England in that group and facing opponents like Northern Ireland and maybe Wales.

Sure, we've all seen the history, there was still a big drop off in friendlies and a 3-0 loss can not bode well for anything especially since many Poles would dismiss the US as not being some big power. Germany had some close friendlies too and they may well point to some weakness we are now seeing.

how am I trying to start something when we agree? you should grow a pair and not take things so personally :p

[Gunning4Chelsea]

I know why we sucked at this tournament:

"because only sport and good time counts".

Our bus slogan didn't do anything to help us with our psychological issues, to the contrary, it messed us up even more...

"just visiting" would have been more appropriate

[BMike86]

"just visiting" would have been more appropriate

:p

LOL... repped... i didn't think i could laugh after we officially bowed out today, but you managed to get me to

[Gunning4Chelsea]

all in all.... I genuinely hope that pzpn doesn't boot Leo out.... The poor results in major tournaments the last 6 years are partially a product of a poor infrastructure.... Leo needs some time to work with the players....and dump the players from the previous regime... For one, He's not afraid to bring in youngsters.... Whereas his predecessors found this premise to be unfathomable.... Roger, kokoszka, kuba, wawrzyniak, zahorski (today's finish was dreadful but first touch was classy)........this isn't like the 70's where due to the volatile political climate .... Europe, collectively, was more level on talent..(eastern european being prohibited from transferring to the west and effectively developed in their respective domestic leagues) ....right now... The footballing riches are almost exclusively in the west (thus may change in the future with Russia and turkey).... With that in mind....we need a coach that can bring us closer to the western level in terms of coaching (only our GK coaching is considered European class), better pitches, equipment, ekstraklasa clubs releasing promising youngsters earlier to top leagues, overall organization....etc
I don't know if Leo will ever win a medal but he will certainly lead us in the positive direction .... And with euro 2012 looming on the horizon.... Future looks bright

[fh 1]

Here is my comment:

1) I'm naturally happy that Croatia won and even more happy that all our players showed good class, wouldn't say it was high class, but considering these guys never played together before, it was a descent performance.

2) I'm very happy that Ivan Klasnić scored the decisive goal. If anyone deserves respect and admiration, it is him!

3) The Polish goalkeeper, Boruč, is absolute world-class. By far their best player.

4) I was a bit disappointed with Polish game, because they had to attack, instead of Croatia, but there was not much to see.

5) Poland is not that weak. It seems to me that they improved the last 2-3 years and they do not play so destructive like before. What is still missing is improvisation, creativity and the ease of playing, some fun is missing, the Polish play too "heavy" a football. They need one or two more Brazilians :)

[BMike86]

all in all.... I genuinely hope that pzpn doesn't boot Leo out.... The poor results in major tournaments the last 6 years are partially a product of a poor infrastructure.... Leo needs some time to work with the players....and dump the players from the previous regime... For one, He's not afraid to bring in youngsters.... Whereas his predecessors found this premise to be unfathomable.... Roger, kokoszka, kuba, wawrzyniak, zahorski (today's finish was dreadful but first touch was classy)........this isn't like the 70's where due to the volatile political climate .... Europe, collectively, was more level on talent..(eastern european being prohibited from transferring to the west and effectively developed in their respective domestic leagues) ....right now... The footballing riches are almost exclusively in the west (thus may change in the future with Russia and turkey).... With that in mind....we need a coach that can bring us closer to the western level in terms of coaching (only our GK coaching is considered European class), better pitches, equipment, ekstraklasa clubs releasing promising youngsters earlier to top leagues, overall organization....etc
I don't know if Leo will ever win a medal but he will certainly lead us in the positive direction .... And with euro 2012 looming on the horizon.... Future looks bright

great post, you've stolen the words from my mouth

1--- i hope Leo actually wants to stay til 2012 Euro like he said in that one article

2--- i hope the PZPN sees the actual potential in Leo and gives him time to rebuild, he has already started laying down the foundation with some of the call ups, starters, as well as substitutes he has used. if given the proper amount of time i can't imagine what he could do :)

[Gunning4Chelsea]

Here is my comment:

1) I'm naturally happy that Croatia won and even more happy that all our players showed good class, wouldn't say it was high class, but considering these guys never played together before, it was a descent performance.

2) I'm very happy that Ivan Klasnić scored the decisive goal. If anyone deserves respect and admiration, it is him!

3) The Polish goalkeeper, Boruč, is absolute world-class. By far their best player.

4) I was a bit disappointed with Polish game, because they had to attack, instead of Croatia, but there was not much to see.

5) Poland is not that weak. It seems to me that they improved the last 2-3 years and they do not play so destructive like before. What is still missing is improvisation, creativity and the ease of playing, some fun is missing, the Polish play too "heavy" a football. They need one or two more Brazilians :)

I think you may be right... Wish Croatia the best but your aging defense might show its true colors.....

[fh 1]

your aging defense might show its true colors.....
Well, Pranjić and Knežević are 26, Šimunić 30, Ćorluka 22, there is also Križanac from Zenit St.Peterburg, I think he is 28, but in some dispute with the coach, though, should be resolved soon.
OK, R.Kovač is 34, a few years ago, absolute world class player, still very good.

[Gunning4Chelsea]

Well, Pranjić and Knežević are 26, Šimunić 30, Ćorluka 22, there is also Križanac from Zenit St.Peterburg, I think he is 28, but in some dispute with the coach, though, should be resolved soon.
OK, R.Kovač is 34, a few years ago, absolute world class player, still very good.

Kovac ... A world class player? So much for your credibility.... Kovac had a very mediocre season at BVB.... Simunic is one of the slowest defenders around....( his season with hertha was less than flattering) Niko kovac is primarily a ball winner in the back and he is 37.... I give him massive props for playing well in the two games so far.... But its doubtful he can sustain his form against the Turks on their quick counters

[BMike86]

Kovac ... A world class player? So much for your credibility.... Kovac had a very mediocre season at BVB.... Simunic is one of the slowest defenders around....( his season with hertha was less than flattering) Niko kovac is primarily a ball winner in the back and he is 37.... I give him massive props for playing well in the two games so far.... But its doubtful he can sustain his form against the Turks on their quick counters

i'd rep you again if i could... talk about a call out to the Nth degree :eek: :cool:

[Hrvat]

Kovac ... A world class player? So much for your credibility.... Kovac had a very mediocre season at BVB.... Simunic is one of the slowest defenders around....( his season with hertha was less than flattering) Niko kovac is primarily a ball winner in the back and he is 37.... I give him massive props for playing well in the two games so far.... But its doubtful he can sustain his form against the Turks on their quick counters

If only we could lend some Polish players.

[cromagnum]

kovac was a very good player but he is not anymore just mediocore these days..simunic is very technically gifted and sometimes looks world class..then again other times he is prone to really stupid mistakes..with him u never know when he is going to give away a stupid penalty..so far both of these guys have been pretty good..corluka is a very good player..techincally gifted and really reads the game well..his pace is not the best..pranjic is a leftwing playing leftback..the guy is an absolute gun on the wing and has given team fits with his runs..croatia sacrifices some defense there as he is not really a defender but his speed and crossing give us such width down the left side bilic cant take him out..our defense is ok but definitely beatable..the best part of croatia's game is there midfield where rakitic modric and kranjcar are all very good technically and are excellent passers..niko kovac is the dirty work guy but i fancy that vukojevic could do that job just as good if not better..srna is more of a winger/rightback..not great techically but very good speed and works very hard..in attack we have average fowards with olic being the most useful because of his great speed and wotk eithic..i like how klasnic played today..showed exceelent control of the ball and his passing was very good..petric has been very dissappointing too me and i rate as our best striker besides eduardo..i think his back injury is much worse then hes letting on because he just does not look like the same player..we have a good team who plays nice football..we use both of our full backs corluka and pranjic to push up the field which sometimes leaves us exposed in the back..

[cromagnum]

Kovac ... A world class player? So much for your credibility.... Kovac had a very mediocre season at BVB.... Simunic is one of the slowest defenders around....( his season with hertha was less than flattering) Niko kovac is primarily a ball winner in the back and he is 37.... I give him massive props for playing well in the two games so far.... But its doubtful he can sustain his form against the Turks on their quick counters

your a bvb fan then u know how good petric was for them this season..kovac i must admit was poor for bvb..

[Gunning4Chelsea]

kovac was a very good player but he is not anymore just mediocore these days..simunic is very technically gifted and sometimes looks world class..then again other times he is prone to really stupid mistakes..with him u never know when he is going to give away a stupid penalty..so far both of these guys have been pretty good..corluka is a very good player..techincally gifted and really reads the game well..his pace is not the best..pranjic is a leftwing playing leftback..the guy is an absolute gun on the wing and has given team fits with his runs..croatia sacrifices some defense there as he is not really a defender but his speed and crossing give us such width down the left side bilic cant take him out..our defense is ok but definitely beatable..the best part of croatia's game is there midfield where rakitic modric and kranjcar are all very good technically and are excellent passers..niko kovac is the dirty work guy but i fancy that vukojevic could do that job just as good if not better..srna is more of a winger/rightback..not great techically but very good speed and works very hard..in attack we have average fowards with olic being the most useful because of his great speed and wotk eithic..i like how klasnic played today..showed exceelent control of the ball and his passing was very good..petric has been very dissappointing too me and i rate as our best striker besides eduardo..i think his back injury is much worse then hes letting on because he just does not look like the same player..we have a good team who plays nice football..we use both of our full backs corluka and pranjic to push up the field which sometimes leaves us exposed in the back..

Pretty decent analysis.... I think corluka is a nice player .... And petric.... One of my favorites.... Great talent.... But something is clearly wrong with him

[fh 1]

Kovac ... A world class player?
I wrote a few years ago, when he played in Bayern and was good enough for Juve, too.
Our defense so far was good enough to concede just one (lucky) goal from Germany in three matches. I think that's OK.
But in principle, You're right, that's not a top-class defense in style of former Italian for example. But not a walk over, though.
The Turks won't score against them, BTW.

[Gunning4Chelsea]

If only we could lend some Polish players.

I have no idea what that means.. Ha!

[Smoga]

great post, you've stolen the words from my mouth

1--- i hope Leo actually wants to stay til 2012 Euro like he said in that one article

2--- i hope the PZPN sees the actual potential in Leo and gives him time to rebuild, he has already started laying down the foundation with some of the call ups, starters, as well as substitutes he has used. if given the proper amount of time i can't imagine what he could do :)

Yup, great post by Chelsea. Sums it up very well.

[RibbyBollywood]

I'd be more worried about Leo leaving because of corruption in the Polish game, that is what has miffed him.

Something happened to the Polish team, to lose to the US 3-0, but the US is good.

The way Germany has recruited Poles.

There are Poles in South Africa, Australia and of course, the USA and Canada. If the opportunity ever arises, there may be someone in those countries that might be able to play for them sometime.