Wörthersee, Klagenfurt
Sunday 8 June 2008 – 20.45CET (20.45 local time)
Group B
Poland coach Leo Beenhakker believes his team are ready to rewrite the record books in their first match in the European finals when they face one of the UEFA EURO 2008™ big guns, Germany, in Klagenfurt on Sunday.
Neuville winner
The Dutchman is confident ahead of the Group B encounter at Wörthersee Stadion, despite the fact that Poland have never before qualified for the UEFA European Championship, nor beaten their western neighbours in any of their previous 15 meetings. They last faced each other at the 2006 FIFA World Cup – when Beenhakker was coaching Trinidad & Tobago – and the eventual semifinalists Germany got the better of the contest in Dortmund, as substitute Oliver Neuville scored the winner in added time to give the tournament hosts a 1-0 victory.
History lesson
In an entertaining and colourful pre-match press conference, Beenhakker said: “I know that have never won against Germany, but what we can also say about history is that the two teams have never met each other in this tournament. We know that in 1996 Germany were champions, but since then they have not won any matches at all in the EURO finals. We’re talking about history, and I did my homework.”
Nothing changes
Beenhakker, who lost third-choice goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and midfielder Jakub B?aszczykowski to injury in the build-up to the finals, said: “We will have our usual preparation, like we did for the qualifying matches. We won’t be doing different things just because we are at the EUROs now, and it’s not like we will walk around the park naked or something. We have our normal programme – and then we will go [singing] tra-la-la to the stadium. We will play ‘tra-la-la’ but I don’t know if we will be still ‘tra-la-la’ after the game.”
Poland ‘outstanding’
Germany coach Joachim Löw was assistant to J?rgen Klinsmann when the teams met at the World Cup, and he has noted Poland’s healthy progress during Beenhakker’s reign in the intervening period. “Compared to 2006, Poland today have a much stronger team,” said Löw of opponents who qualified as Group A winners. “They have improved and they played extraordinarily well during the qualifying round. I was impressed with how strong they are and how adventurous they are. They play a very consistent game. When it comes to their compactness, desire and will to win, I think they are outstanding.”
‘Dictate the pace’
Löw, who was happy to report that all 23 of his players are fit for the match, said: “We know about the strengths of the Polish team, but I believe that if we can implement what we know and, if we can dictate the pace on the pitch, we will be able to play and do so quite daringly.” Löw said he will sleep easily in his “comfortable bed” at the squad’s hotel before making his team selection.
Positive vibes the key for Jansen
Marcell Jansen believes the “euphoria and positivity” sweeping through a confident Germany camp can help them get off to a flying start by overcoming Poland in their Group B opener in Klagenfurt on Sunday.
Positive atmosphere
The 22-year-old FC Bayern München defender was in positive mood ahead of Sunday’s encounter at the Wörthersee Stadion and stressed the need to come out of blocks as quickly as possible. “It is important for us to achieve the objective of our preparations and the first match is always very important,” said Jansen. “Over the past few days we have tried to fine-tune our tactics in order to make sure that we will get off to a good start. There is a lot of euphoria and the overall atmosphere is positive.”
‘Anyone can win’
Jansen was eager to dismiss the idea of Germany being under pressure after being installed by many as one of the tournament favourites, saying: “I think it’s a positive thing [to have pressure] but at the same time I have to admit that I don’t attribute much weight to it. There are a number of great teams in this tournament and history has shown that anyone can win it. We just have to focus on our game and make sure to radiate a positive vibe and continue with the good results we were able to achieve in the qualifiers.”
Polish improvement
Germany were narrow 1-0 victors against Poland in the World Cup two years ago, and although Jansen did not play in that game, the former VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach player believes that Leo Beenhakker’s men have improved greatly and will provide an even tougher test. “We know that the Polish team have evolved since 2006 when we managed to win even though they were fierce opponents,” Jansen added, also citing the more offensive approach Beenhakker has brought into the Polish game. “Since 2006, we have seen them improve thanks to the new coach and they play very attacking football, they take risks and they have shown very impressively just what they can do. But obviously we know not only about their strengths but also about their weaknesses.”
?urawski eager to trump German aces
Poland captain Maciej ?urawski is expecting Germany to be at their best for Sunday’s Group B opener between the two teams – but the striker insists he and his team-mates will have “an even better” game at the Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt.
Respect
The Germans have been installed as clear favourites to win the group and have been picked out as potential tournament winners, but while 31-year-old Larissa forward ?urawski fully expects Joachim Löw’s team to be on the ball, he is confident in his own team’s ability. “We respect Germany, they are an excellent team but we are also aware of our value and potential as a team,” he said. “We know a lot about what the Germans can do and the way that they will play and we are ready for that. What is important for us is to stick to the plan we have made and make sure we do the things that we want to do.”
Qualifying record
Poland qualified for UEFA EURO 2008™ in impressive style, finishing top of their group ahead of Portugal, a team which they defeated 2-1 in Chorzow, but ?urawski admits that Poland need to transfer that form to the big stage. “I can guarantee that we will go out and try to win,” he said. “If we want to win we have to play as well as we did in the matches against Portugal in qualifying, we have to reproduce the same type of performances here. We certainly won’t be hoping that Germany have an off day. I expect them to be excellent but I still believe that we will have an even better game however well they play.”
Past memories
The match evokes memories of the meeting between the two teams at the 2006 FIFA World Cup which Poland lost 1-0. ?urawski, however, who was one of several players in the current squad to have played in that match, sees things differently. He said: “Well, I don’t like going back to the past, especially to the World Cup because the situation is different,” ?urawski said. “A couple of years have passed since then and this is a completely different tournament. I believe that we are doing things as well as we can in the training sessions and everything is looking good. Everyone is looking well and is in good form and I think we will show that on the pitch tomorrow.”