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.

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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.

Poland - Greece 1:1, 8 June 2012, Przemysław Tytoń saved a penalty

One goalkeeper's bad luck is another goalkeeper's chance. Wojciech Szczęsny was send off with a red card. Przemysław Tytoń took the place between the posts and saved the penalty in a crucial moment.

Watch the video: link.

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...

Przemysław Tytoń in Poland - Cameroon friendly 0-3 11 Aug 2010

Polish goalkeeper Przemysław Tytoń in Poland - Cameroon friendly.

Poland - Cameroon friendly 0-3 11 Aug 2010

I don't even want to write too much about this match. Instead of being happy of Euro 2012 I'm starting to be really afraid that all of this is going to be one big shame of Polish team.

I'm really not sure if a need of watching Polish goalkeepers is enough to stand 90 minutes of a poor performance both in defense and in offence. And the worst is that it doesn't seem there is going to be better. New coach, new players, new strategy, and guess what! Poland is losing 0-3 with Cameroon, a next to the last World Cup team.

They are a few players, who try to do something. I can name Ludovic Obraniak, Jakub Błaszczykowski, Robert Lewandowski and perhaps one or two others. But there is no team. No unity.

The goalkeeper postion is the only one the coach has no need to worry. Poland has a lot of talented keepers. But a goalkeeper cannot win a match alone...

As for the goalkeepers, Łukasz Fabiański could do nothing when Eto'o scored the first goal. Made one very lucky save when he rushed to clear the ball, and pass was almost snathed by Cameroon player (blame a defender for that). The ball landed in Fabiański's hands eventually.

Przemysław Tytoń was playing in the second half. Again, the mistakes which cost Poland two goals, were rather on the defense side. And when Poland lost the goal he seemed to be the only player, who still tried to motivate the team.

A few photos of Fabiański, and no a single one of Tytoń, because I couldn't find any.



Polish team



Cameroon team