From The My Sportsbook After a first round exit in 2002, Poland is back as head coach Pawel Janas has picked a roster of current and new stars who will take the field for the 2006 World Cup Finals. With a World Cup history that includes a third place finish in 1972 and 1982, Poland will try to recapture its dominance in 2006. The team glided through a successful group of qualifying matches. Losing its first home and away meeting with England, Poland went onto win its next eight matches, securing a spot in the '06 finals. The team has a roster filled with experience and talent. Maciej Zurawski and will lead the team out of the gate. The striker played a large roll in qualifying and will no doubt be a factor in the group stages. Drawn into Group A, Poland will have to outwit Costa Rica, Ecuador and Germany in order to make it into the tournament's next round. Poland opens the 2006 World Cup on Friday, June 9 against Ecuador. Significant past players: Grzegorz Lato, Kazimierz Deyna, Wlodzimierz Lubanski, Jan Tomaszewski Achievements: -- FIFA World Cup 1974 & 1982 3rd Place -- Olympic Games 1972 Champion -- Olympic Games 1976 & 1992 2nd Place |
