Before the game: Czech Republic - Poland

Expecations, expectations, expecations...

I don't know if Poland wins today. I think that there is chance, but it's up to the players if they are going to use it.

But no matter what the result is going to be, I'm happy that I finally saw the team, where players back up each other, who play together and try to do their best. And the last game in the group is not a game without a stake.

*

Meanwhile, because it's a blog dedicated to goalkeepers, it's worth to notice that the whole country was discusssing wheter the coach Franiszek Smuda should choose Wojciech Szczęsny or Przemysław Tytoń to play in the game against Czech Republic. Szczęsny was unquestionable number 1 in the goal, but was ruled out by red card. Tytoń was only a deputy, but saved a penalty in a crucial moment in the game against Greek. He has played also a good game against Russia.

Eventaully it was decided that Tytoń is going to play. Good choice? Bad? Must say I was a bit more after Tytoń, as I have a soft spot for the goalkeepers who save penalties. I think that both goalkeepers are on the similar level when it comes to skills, but Tytoń just deserved the place in the squad for his solid performance on the tournament. Hope he is going to do fine today.

A video interview with Wojciech Szczęsny

Wojciech Szczęsny, the goalkeeper of Arsenal and Polish national team, gave a short interview before upcoming friendly games against Argentina and France in Warsaw.

Szczęsny: Francuzi mi mówili, że woleliby nie grać z Polską

Wojtek, if one looks on the sheet of paper: Argentina, France, it seems that they are the opponents one can dream of.

Well, I think so. I think that only playing in such games we can prepare to Euro well. Even if they are not playing with they strongest squads. The Legia's stadium is going to be full of people, the atmosphere is going to be fun. It will give us the adrenaline we need to play on the hiher level than lately.

Did you talk with Samir Nasri before setting out on those matches?

I've talked with the colleagues. They are three [from Arsenal] who are called up and generally it's obvious that they would prefer to not play this game because they have the most important one on Friday and they would like to go on vacations after it. But now they have to come here to play a friendly. So I think that we are going to be more motivated.

I would rather prefer to play in Gdańsk. The first game is in Warsaw, it would be better if we played the second one on the opening of the new stadium. But I'm sure that there is going to be a great atmosphere in Warsaw as well and that it's going to be a good game.

Can you show your finger? Is it well?

It hurst sometimes. But I'm able to catch a ball so there is no problem.

Do you wear special gloves with finger protection?

Yes, I used to wear them but now I'm playing in normal ones on my own responsibility. I hope that nothing like that injury is going to happen again.

Are you going to have any special rehabilitation during the vacations?

No, the finger has to heal on its own and I hope that sooner or later everything is going to be well.

Champions League: Barcelona - Arsenal 3-1, 8 March 2011

One player's bad luck is another's good luck. During the Championship League match Barcelona - Arsenal Wojciech Szczęsny was ruled out by an injury. Manuel Almunia took his place in Arsenal's goal and used his chance well. He made 8 saves. Quite an achivement when one has to face players like Messi and Villa.

Quite surprising how it all happened. Manuel Almunia was ruled out by the injury of an elbow at the very beginning of this season. Łukasz Fabiański took his place and stayed as No. 1 till the fatal injury of an shoulder caused that he is not going to play in this season any more. Wojciech Szczęsny was next in the line and was doing well, but now he is going to face at least six weeks break.

It was said that Almunia might leave Arsenal in the winter transfer window. It was not first time when he seemed to be just one step away from being send away. But he did stay. And if he is going to keep up the good shape I'm not sure if Szczęsny is going to regain the place in the goal easily. So far Almunia had two good performances - in the Championship League against Barcelona and in FA Cup against Manchester United. Both were lost by Arsenal, quite true, but the goalkeeper saved all what he could.

Łukasz Fabiański ruled out for the rest of the season, Wojciech Szczęsny - a new No. 1

Łukasz Fabiański is going to miss the last four month of the season due to an injury of the shoulder. He had already undergo a surgery. Now he is slowly coming back to health and it's going to take time before he can start rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Wojciech Szczęsny, replaced his compration both as No. 1 in Arsenal and in the national team.

Liked his performance in Poland's game against Norway. Polish team needs a self-confident goalkeeper, on whom one can rely on. Luckily, the goalkeeper position is the one, where the coach has a wide choice. Even with Fabiański and Boruc out, there is plenty others, who can replace them. Szczęsny is the first choice now.

He is also expected to play in the Championship League against Barcelona. Who would predict such a turn in a career of the young goalkeeper? It can be his big chance.

Premier League: Arsenal vs Everton 2-1, 1 February 2010, video highlights

szólj hozzá: AR2-1EV[matchhighlight.com]HL

Great game to watch. Everton opened the game when Louis Saha scored in 24'. They lead till 70'. Five minutes were enough for Arsenal to catch up with the result (Arshavin) and add to it the second goal (Koscielny).

Wojciech Szczęsny who is now Arsenal's no. 1 didn't had too much to work. Hard to blame him that he allowed a goal from an offside...

Liked the performance of Tim Howard, escpecially his excellent save of Van Persie's shot from free-kick, who tried to send the ball into top right angle. Howard somehow managed to tip it over.

"For me it is clear that Fabiański is No1", states Arsene Wenger

Over last two weeks Łukasz Fabiański has been out of the game due to an injury. However, accoriding to the coach, it didn't change anything. He still considers him to be the first-choice goalkeeper, while Wojciech Szczęsny is the second-choice. Vito Mannone went on the loan to Hull City. Manuel Almunia is still injuried and might leave the club in the transfer window.

Arsène Wenger has reassured his goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański that the shoulder injury that has kept him out of action for the past two weeks has not affected his position as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper. The Pole is not yet fit enough to feature against West Ham tomorrow but will be buoyed by his manager's suggestion that he will be thrust straight back into the team when he completes his recovery over the coming days, despite the solid displays in Arsenal's past two matches by his deputy and compatriot, Wojciech Szczęsny.

Fabiański began this season as Arsenal's second choice but has become a regular since replacing the erratic Manuel Almunia in September. "We live in a world of competition but for me it is clear that Fabiański is No1," Wenger said."

Read the full article at guardian.co.uk.

What is happening with those Polish goalkeepers?

Football in Polands seems to be reaching the very bottom. It's nothing new. It's getting worse and worse, and without serious reforms nothing is going to be better.

The system doesn't produce exceptional players. Only a few names of Polish footballers might ring a bell to football fans aboard.

For long time goalkeepers were an exception, thanks to the good coaching system, which helped to discover the talents. A lot of Polish goalkeepers started to make a career aboard.

At least it was like that a few years ago. But now it seems that most of them faces the bad time in their careers.

Artur Boruc has to compete with Frey in Fiorentina. The transfer from Celtic was a good move, but the position of Fiorentina's no. 1 is strong. He doesn't seem to be national team's coach favorite, so he needs to make really good impression to be at least considered.

Łukasz Fabiański, who seemed to be one step from becoming no. 1 in Arsenal, is again reduced to the second choice, as the coach decided to count on Manuel Almunia. Wojciech Szczęsny is third in the row. Tomasz Kuszczak has been waiting for his chance in MU since years, but there is still Van der Saar between the sticks. Only Łukasz Załuska in Celtic is now no. 1, but how long it's going to last?

I don't count in Wojciech Kowalewski, because I don't think he was considered to be a part of Euro 2012 team. He is not lucky, was called-up only several times.

There is also Przemysław Tytoń, a new face in the national team. He is the first-choice in Roda Kerkrade. May it be his advantage?

So far it seems that it's Jerzy Dudek who had the most sucessful career of all Polish goalkeepers.

Two years ago I could name who is the unquestionable no. 1 in Polish goal. Now I'm not sure who is going to be called-up for the next friendly match...

Arsenal keeper crisis

Link to the article send by Monica08.

"Manuel Almunia has been left devastated after being frozen out at Arsenal.

Spanish keeper Almunia has yet to start in either of Arsenal's pre-season friendlies as Arsene Wenger looks to sign Mark Schwarzer to be his new number one.

And if Wenger cannot land the Fulham keeper, error-prone Lukasz Fabianski is favourite to start the season in Arsenal's first game of the season at Liverpool on August 15.

It leaves Wenger with the same keeper headache that he finished last season as Almunia has fallen out of favour but the club still does not have a first choice."

(...)

"Polish keeper Fabianski has started both Arsenal's pre-season friendlies and the feeling around the camp is that he is likely to get the nod for the new season."

(...)

"Wenger has high hopes for 20-year-old Wojciech Szczesny who the club believe can be the next big thing."

Read more full article: link

Legia vs Arsenal 5-6 7 Aug 2010 video of all goals

A match with 11 goals on the opening match in the new stadium of Legia Warsaw. Would you believe that?

After watching the video I noticed it's look like a compliation of goalkeepers' mistakes. Fabiański doesn't look good when Legia scored their second goal. They actually started winning 3:0, and then lost the lead.

Read that Wojciech Szczęsny, who substitued Fabiański in the second half, made an important save at the beginning but it's not in the video. Generally it seems that Szczęsny made quite good impression, despite allowing two goals. Fabiański couldn't do much in two of three situations.

Marijan Antolović and Kostiantyn Machnowski, Legia's goalkeepers, gave a performance far from being good, which partly explains why so many goals were scored.