Everything you need to know about Poland before Euro 2024

In what will likely be his last major international tournament, Robert Lewandowski will look to inspire a Poland team that hasn't escaped the group stage in the last edition of the competition, when they kick-off their campaign in Hamburg against the Netherlands on June 16th.

Who is in Poland's squad?

Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus), Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna), Marcin Bulka (Nice).

Defenders: Jan Bednarek (Southampton), Bartosz Bereszynski (Empoli), Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal), Tymoteusz Puchacz (Kaiserlsuatern), Bartosz Salamon (Lech Poznan), Pawel Dawidowicz (Verona), Sebastian Walukiewicz (Empoli).

Midfielders: Kamil Grosicki (Pogon Szczecin), Piotr Zielenski (Napoli), Przemyslaw Frankowski (Lens), Sebastian Szymanski (Fenerbahce), Jakub Moder (Brighton), Damian Szymanski (AEK Athens), Nicola Zalewksi (Roma), Bartosz Slisz (Atlanta United), Michal Skoras (Club Brugge), Jakub Piotrowksi (Ludogorets Razgrad), Taras Romanczuk (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Kacper Urbański (Bologna),

Forwards: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Karol Swiderksi (Verona), Krzysztof Piatek (Istanbul Basaksehir), Adam Buksa (Antalyaspor).

POWOŁANIA 🇵🇱
Selekcjoner reprezentacji Polski Michał Probierz ogłosił kadrę na czerwcowe zgrupowanie. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/LMukfdSxzZ

— Łączy nas piłka (@LaczyNasPilka) May 29, 2024

Head coach Michal Probierz had named a solid squad with a sprinkling of star names, such as Napoli midfield engine Piotr Zielinski, shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny, and Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, along with the obvious star man in Lewandowski. There are also some more recent uncovered talents, such as Kacper Urbanski, the 19 year old mildfield sensation who appeared 22 times for high-flying, Champions League qualifying Bologna this season.

However, sacrifices were made to complete the squad and there are notable absentees, such as Villa right-back Matty Cash, solid defensive-midfielder Krystian Bielik, and most notably, the exclusion of injured Arkadiusz Milik.

Despite their poor recent record at major tournaments, the 2024 Euro’s is the seventh consecutive major tournament for which Poland have qualified for, backing up their recent credentials as a team that always has the potential to cause a shock.

National team of Poland left their training camp spot in Warsaw and flew to their Euro 2024 home base in Hannover.

📍Poland has arrived at the Euros. pic.twitter.com/kXHkW57C58

— Scouting Polska (@ScoutingPolska) June 11, 2024

Player to Watch: Robert Lewandowski

Who else was it going to be? 148 international caps, and 82 goals in that time, 35 year-old Lewandowski has been an established elite level-striker for the last decade, and Poland have turned to him for help so often.

With this tournament looking to be his curtain call on the major international stage, there will be that little bit of extra will to create a notable international when he plays in Germany, and he and his teammates will undoubtedly play out of their skin to provide something memorable.

Robert Lewandowski pic.twitter.com/yHx9vHyOyF

— Jogo Bonito (@ufcfooty) May 5, 2023

When do Poland play in the Euros?

June 16th: Poland vs Netherlands, Volksparkstadion, Hamburg. June 21st: Poland vs Austria, Olympiastadion, Berlin. June 25th: France vs Poland, Westfalenstadion, Dortmund.

How will Poland perform at Euro 2024?

Despite being placed in what some are labeling the ‘group of death’, Poland have gone unbeaten since September, and have beaten Turkey and Ukraine, two teams who could be considered dark horses, in the build up to the Euros.

The signs are good, and while I don’t believe Poland have anywhere near enough to challenge for the trophy, I have this strange feeling they will escape group D, with the Netherlands finishing a shock close 3rd.