Poland will co-host the 2012 European Championship with Ukraine. Here, workers unfurl a banner of Poland's Germany-based striker Robert Lewandowski. The national team has had little to cheer about in recent years and slumped to 75th in FIFA's world rankings, their lowest ever position. But it hasn't always been that way.
Poland welcomes the world —
Poland will co-host the 2012 European Championship with Ukraine. Here, workers unfurl a banner of Poland's Germany-based striker Robert Lewandowski. The national team has had little to cheer about in recent years and slumped to 75th in FIFA's world rankings, their lowest ever position. But it hasn't always been that way.
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In 1973 Poland traveled to Wembley to play England in a 1974 World Cup qualifier. Poland had not qualified for the finals since 1938; England had won it five years previously. England needed to win. No one gave Poland a chance. So much so that the legendary English coach Brian Clough, when asked about the Polish team, referred to goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski as a "clown."
The clown —
In 1973 Poland traveled to Wembley to play England in a 1974 World Cup qualifier. Poland had not qualified for the finals since 1938; England had won it five years previously. England needed to win. No one gave Poland a chance. So much so that the legendary English coach Brian Clough, when asked about the Polish team, referred to goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski as a "clown."
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Tomaszewski went on to have the game of his life. England fired 30 shots on Poland's goal with Tomaszewski pulling off a string of fine saves.
One way traffic —
Tomaszewski went on to have the game of his life. England fired 30 shots on Poland's goal with Tomaszewski pulling off a string of fine saves.
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The game finished 1-1. Poland qualified for the 1974 World Cup whilst England could only dream of what might have been. It was a huge shock, but the victory was just the beginning for Poland.
Wembley heartbreak, Wembley joy —
The game finished 1-1. Poland qualified for the 1974 World Cup whilst England could only dream of what might have been. It was a huge shock, but the victory was just the beginning for Poland.
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The team traveled to West Germany for the 1974 World Cup as underdogs but beat Argentina and Italy before losing to West Germany 1-0 in the semifinal. Poland finished third after beating Brazil in a playoff, and striker Grzegorz Lato won the golden boot.
Worthy winners? —
The team traveled to West Germany for the 1974 World Cup as underdogs but beat Argentina and Italy before losing to West Germany 1-0 in the semifinal. Poland finished third after beating Brazil in a playoff, and striker Grzegorz Lato won the golden boot.
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Poland again qualified for the 1978 World Cup, this time in Argentina, and initially won their group containing West Germany. But South America wrought revenge for 1974. Brazil and Argentina beat Poland and they were sent home early.
The trouble with South America —
Poland again qualified for the 1978 World Cup, this time in Argentina, and initially won their group containing West Germany. But South America wrought revenge for 1974. Brazil and Argentina beat Poland and they were sent home early.
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But a new generation of players emerged as Poland qualified for their third World Cup in a row, this time in Spain in 1982.
The second generation —
But a new generation of players emerged as Poland qualified for their third World Cup in a row, this time in Spain in 1982.
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After a goalless draw against Italy in their first game, the Poles set the tournament alight thanks to the scintillating forward play of Zbigniew Boniek. Boniek would score three goals against Belgium and his treble is considered one of the all-time greatest international hat-tricks.
Boniek emerges... —
After a goalless draw against Italy in their first game, the Poles set the tournament alight thanks to the scintillating forward play of Zbigniew Boniek. Boniek would score three goals against Belgium and his treble is considered one of the all-time greatest international hat-tricks.
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Poland lost to eventual winners Italy in the semifinal but would beat France to clinch third place, the second time in three World Cups.
...but Italy win —
Poland lost to eventual winners Italy in the semifinal but would beat France to clinch third place, the second time in three World Cups.
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Back in Poland the political situation was changing too. Poland's communist government was being challenged for the first time by a new labor movement, Solidarity. Solidarity would play a crucial role in overthrowing communism seven years later.
In solidarity —
Back in Poland the political situation was changing too. Poland's communist government was being challenged for the first time by a new labor movement, Solidarity. Solidarity would play a crucial role in overthrowing communism seven years later.
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By the time Poland reached Mexico '86, their fourth World Cup in a row, the team was a dying force. England destroyed the Poles, with striker Gary Lineker scoring a hat-trick in the group stage.
The end of an era —
By the time Poland reached Mexico '86, their fourth World Cup in a row, the team was a dying force. England destroyed the Poles, with striker Gary Lineker scoring a hat-trick in the group stage.
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Boniek was reaching the end of his international career. And although they reached the second round, their 4-0 defeat to Brazil marked the end of the golden era of Polish football. It would be 16 years before Poland qualified for another World Cup.
The 16-year itch —
Boniek was reaching the end of his international career. And although they reached the second round, their 4-0 defeat to Brazil marked the end of the golden era of Polish football. It would be 16 years before Poland qualified for another World Cup.
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Euro 2012 will see the spotlight fall on Poland. Many in the country see the tournament as an opportunity to show the world that it is now a leading European democracy.
The final countdown —
Euro 2012 will see the spotlight fall on Poland. Many in the country see the tournament as an opportunity to show the world that it is now a leading European democracy.
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