POLAND STUNNED WORLD CHAMPIONS GERMANY WITH A 2:0 VICTORY

National team of Poland finally managed to beat Germany on a football pitch. Saturday's 2:0 win at the beautiful National Stadium in Warsaw, in the qualifications to EURO 2016, was long overdue. Poland played Germany 18 times before, and never was able to record a win, even though all the football matches played between these two nations, except for one or two, were always evenly fought ferocious battles. Because of the history of German invasions of Poland and infliction of death and destructions of Polish cities and towns throughout the centuries, any encounter between the national teams from these nations always brings Poland to a stop during the game (same story as with respect to matches against Russia, another of our invading tormentors).
The most famous match between Germany (then West Germany) and Poland was played in Stuttgart, during the 1974 World Cup. Poland was the sensation of the tournament, to which they qualified by beating England 2:0 and then drawing at Wembley 1:1. During the World Cup itself, Poland was unstoppable by beating Argentina, Haiti, Italy, Sweden and Yugoslavia. The match in Stuttgart was to decide who would meet Holland in the big final in Munich. The Poles were the highest scoring team of the tournament, with Grzegorz Lato (7) and Andrzej Szarmach (5) being two leading scorers in the World Cup 1974. The unstoppable in his dribblings winger Robert Gadocha created 9 goals himself, whereas legendary playmaker Kazimierz Deyna, was voted one of the top 3 players of that world cup, together with such greats of the game as Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer. Germans, on the other hand, boasted - besides Beckenbauer - such stars as Meier, Breitner, Overath, Netzer and Gerd Muller. Had the match been played on a normal pitch, Poland would have likely won with their brand of quick-lightning football, and deadly forwards. Unfortunately, an hour before the match the pitch was flooded by heavy rains, and in current football the match would have to be postponed. However, the Germans pressed the officials to play the game as they realized that speed of Polish players would be neutralized by the puddles of water on the pitch. Since Poland then was subjugated by the Soviets and had no clout whatsoever with FIFA, the officials sided with West Germany, and the game was allowed to proceed. Notwithstanding the conditions, the match was dominated by Poland who created multitude of scoring opportunities, yet the ball would not cross the line, either because it would stop in the puddles of water, or in the arms of Sepp Meier, German goalkeeper playing the match of his life. On the other end, Jan Tomaszewski palmed away Uli Hoeness's penalty shot, but he was unable to stop a low shot by Gerd Muller. In the next match, the final against Holland, Germany beat the latter 2:1 and bagged their second world championship, whereas Poland went on to beat Brazil for the 3rd place in the world.
The German approach to the matches against Poland was summarized by coach Jurgen Klinsmann who in 2006 World Cup famously motivated the German national team ahead of the match against Poland, by saying something to the effect: "We can lose against anybody, but never can we allow to be beaten by Poland, never...". That game was also ferociously fought and the score stood at 0:0 until the last minute, when Oliver Neuville managed to somehow beat Artur Boruc, by sliding his body to push the ball through the goal line.
In 2011, in a friendly preparation game to Euro 2012, Poland was leading 2:1 in the last minute, yet the Germans equalized in the last gasp of the match through naturalized Brazilian, Cacau, and denied the Poles the elusive victory. Before Saturday's match, theses teams met the last time in May, 2014 in Hamburg, both in depleted squads, and the game ended again in a 0:0 draw, exactly as in 1971 in the same Hamburg stadium, during qualifications to EURO 1972, incidentally won by West Germany.
Last Saturday, the conditions were favorable to Poland, as Germany is currently in transition, after retirement of Lahm, Klose and Mertesaker, and injuries of Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Ozil and Reuss
had an impact on the Germans. Poland was also missing its best technical and creative player, Jakub Blaszczykowski, known by fans all over the world as Kuba. Yet Adam Nawalka, one of the young stars of 1978 World Cup, whose career was quickly finished by injuries, is rather a smart coach, and he knows Germany as he played against them himself. He improved dramatically Polish defense, and decided to surrender the midfield whereas he concentrated on quick transition from defense to attack. Poland did not have many breaks, perhaps 5 or 6, and ended up with 3 shots on target, yet 2 of them reached home. Clinical! Our best centre-half, Kamil Glik, finally showed why in Serie A he is known as the Wall, and whatever he could not stop, was stopped but our young goalkeeper Wojtek Szczesny (he earns his living at Arsenal London)  who smartly positioned himself on all German scoring opportunities, and probably had a better game than Jan Tomaszewski had at Wembley in 1973. The most decisive was though the role of Robert Lewandowski, who played huge role in diverting the attention of German defenders from Arkadiusz Milik and, after his substitution, from Sebastian Mila. On the first goal, Piszczek crossed toward Lewandowski and Milik, however, German defenders paid attention only to deeper placed Lewandowski, what allowed Milik to attack the ball freely, ahead of Neuer, the German goalkeeper, who attempted to correct his defenders' mistake, and Milik's glancing header ended up in the German's net. On the second goal, the ball was thrown to Lewandowski, who controlled it in the right corner of German penalty area, and cleverly shook off Durm, then seeing the other German defenders converging on him, Lewandowski passed the ball calmly to arriving in Sebastian Mila, who struck it immediately home with his left foot. Apparently, Neuer did not know that Mila is a left-footed player, for he expected Mila to control the ball with left foot and to strike it with his right foot.  Immediately, the National Stadium went in delirium for it became apparent that the first victory over Germany in football was in the bag. The vodka must have been streaming in Poland all night, as online readers of Guardian commented on. So, finally we took that monkey of our back, and future matches against the Germans would be from now on a less tense affair for the Poles.
The Warsaw victory is one of the string of recent successes by Polish sport, which is somehow catching up with Poland's economic success and is the next sign of normalcy of life in Poland. Three weeks ago, Poland's volleyball team won the men world championships and two weeks ago young Michal Kwiatkowski won the world championship in road cycling, whereas another young cyclist, Rafal Majka was the revelation in Tour de France, where he won the best climber jersey. Poland was recently also successful in track and field, speedway, team handball and tennis, and improved considerably in basketball, in addition to recording best ever medal catch in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.
Tomorrow comes match against Scotland, even more difficult than the one against Germany, as Scotland will likely "park the bus", leaving the attacking to Poland, who is not used to positional football, particularly without injured Kuba Blaszczykowski, the most creative Polish midfielder. As I am certain that counterattacking Polish team will handily beat Scotland in Glasgow, I am not so sure about the game played in Warsaw, notwithstanding the higher technical level of Polish team. The Scots are technically limited and although they can play quick physical football, they are predictable in their usual automatic schemes of play. I believe, though, thanks to the huge motivational kick in the form of victory over Germany, that we will prevail over Scotland, after all.  Godspeed, Poland! Naprzod, Polska!

Janusz Andrzejewski, a New York City based attorney, writes on legal and other important community topics. You can reach him by telephone (212-634-4250), 

 or, through e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

WORLD CUP: SHOULD ARGENTINA BEAT GERMANY, MESSI WOULD SURPASS MARADONA AND PELE

We cannot measure the talent, level of technical skills and individual accolades achieved by the footballers such as Maradona, Pele and Messi. We can try instead to compare the achievements of the teams in which they played, the strengths of the teams against whom they were competing and the quality of the supporting players in their own teams, as well as our stars' impact on their own teams, through decisive plays and goals, through creative vision exhibited. The highest amount of trophies with national team won Pele with Brazil. Yet Pele played in such strong national team of Brazil that one cannot say that he was indispensable to Brazil to win the championship. During the 1958 tournament, when Brazil won the first title, 17 year old Pele wasn't even the Brazil's best player. He had around the best player of the World Cup 1958: Didi, as well as such greats as Vava, Garrincha, Altafini, Zagallo, Nilton Santos and Djalma Santos. In World Cup 1962 Pele was injured, in a second group match against Czechoslovakia, and didn't play further, instead he had to watch Garrincha, the best player of World Cup 1962, to lead Brazil to their second world title. Again, in World Cup 1970 played in Mexico, Brazil was so full of talented players, that one cannot say that it was Pele whose impact was indispensable to the Brazilian third world title. Having around such players as Jairzinho, Tostao, Rivelino, Gerson, Clodoaldo, Carlos Alberto, Brito, Piazza, or Everaldo did not put much pressure on Pele. His task was easy and he did not have to deal with major stress accompanying for example Maradona, or Messi and Neymar in their world cup campaigns. The proof is in that famous Carlos Alberto's goal (after a series of moves and passes between seven Brazilian players) of the final match of World Cup 1970, stamping the Brazil's win over Italy. Pele did not have to dribble through whole defenses of opponents like Maradona did in World Cup 1986 in Mexico (against England, then Belgium). Otherwise, Pele's Brazil did not have as strong opponents as Argentina did in World Cup 1986, which they won, and World Cup 1990, which they lost to Germany on a hugely controversial penalty. Also, Maradona did not have such support as Pele always had. With their clubs, Pele won Libertadores Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, yet again he had stars in his Santos team. Maradona was not so successful with his clubs, yet he had more competition as he left for Europe, after playing in Argentina for a weak club Argentinos Juniors and then for a year at Boca Juniors. Maradona's two years at Barcelona, Spain were not successful either as he only won Copa del Rey, but one has to say that he was injured for long spells of time. Only with Napoli in Serie A he was relatively successful by winning Serie A in 1987 and 1990 and being twice Serie A runner up, and adding to collection UEFA Cup. He managed to do it all in the time when Serie A was at its peak and was the strongest league in the world, and AC Milan was the best team in the world, and Inter and Juventus were not far behind. Maradona on a weekly basis had to play against Van Basten, Gullit, Rijkard, Baresi, Maldini, Donadoni, Matthaus, Klinsmann, Bhreme, Zico, Platini, Cabrini, Rush, Laudrup, Roberto Baggio, Schillaci, It seems that Maradona played in a much tougher environment than Pele, who never was brave enough to take on a challenge of playing in European best leagues, against better defenses of European teams, more sophisticated tactically, and better athletically than those in Pele's native Brazil. Consequently, Maradona until now was the greatest player, with Pele behind, followed by Johan Cruyff , Garrincha and Zinedine Zidane. And here comes Lionel Messi, the player with the ball glued to his feet while running at highest speeds (Pele and Maradona were slow in comparison to Messi and in their dribbling they relied mostly on control of the ball and body moves ) , shattering goal-scoring records, who achieved in club football everything - neither Maradona, Pele nor Zidane can compare to his achievements with their clubs. Only Alfredo di Stefano, Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer achieved so much (or perhaps more) with their club teams. Of course, Messi is not finished yet. In World Cup 2006 Argentina was so rich in talent (that it should have won the title except for that tactical mistake of Pekerman who took his playmaker Juan Ramon Riquelme  off the pitch while leading 2:0, allowing Germany to make a comeback and to advance to semifinals) that there was no place for 19-year-old Messi, in World Cup 2010, Messi was quite good, but Argentina was handicapped by the worst coach in history, Diego Maradona himself, and Argentina again was knocked out in quarterfinals by Germany. Now, after club season when Messi was trapped by recurring injuries, he does not run so much with the ball, he is much more economical in his game, plays deeper as the real playmaker of the old times, yet when he is needed, he delivers. He led Argentina unbeaten in qualifications to this world cup. Now, in Brazil, his goals against Bosnia and Iran were decisive, his two goals against Nigeria had a calming effect on the team. The tough game against Switzerland, was iturned around by the Swiss, who strongly knocked at Argentina's goal, yet little Messi made decisive play and assisting pass to Di Maria, who managed to kill the game. In the match against Belgium, the plays around Messi became more and more physical, yet Messi was brilliant in tight spaces, holding the ball, liberating himself at times from swarming around him Belgians, and playing precise 40 yard passes. Decisive was his play, after which Argentinians scored the winning goal: Messi, in Belgian half, in the the middle of the pitch, was swarmed by several Belgians, when he spun away from two defenders and clipped a pass to Di Maria, who quickly passed further to Higuain, and the latter turned and volleyed beautifully home. One of the several passes of brilliance. In the semifinal match against Holland, the team playing with seven defensive players, Messi seemed to be contained (his father said after the match that his legs were stiff and he cannot run anymore). Yet he made a brilliant play in tight space in the right corner area, when he spun away from the Dutch defenders and send beautiful pass across the penalty area to free Maxi Rodriguez who should have converted, yet he ended up with a tame shot, which bounced from the ground, allowing Cillessen to calmly stop it. It was the moment when the decisive goal, resulting from Messi's flash of brilliance, should have been scored. Instead, the game went to penalties, where Messi calmly gave the lead to Argentina, after the first Dutch penalty was saved by Romero. Little Messi delivered again, on dead legs this time. If the Argentinian physiotherapists can somehow prepare those legs for one more match, if those legs can give Argentina another decisive play against the toughest opponent any team in history had to play in a world cup final, little Messi would surpass Diego Maradona as the greatest player in the history of this sport. But make no mistake, their opponent is the favorite of the final, no matter how much sentimental and sympathetic I am to Argentina's and Messi's campaign, nobody in the history of the World Cup had ever had to play such a formidable opponent as Argentina has in Germany, in such a great for Germany time, when they enjoy mental as well as physical advantage coupled with a better schedule of matches, giving them an additional day for recovery before the final. This German team is brilliant tactically, full of players with high individual skills, majority with great physical parameters. These German young men, who before played together for Germany teams under the age of 21, 19 and 17, are guided for a long period of time by the same coach, Joachim Low. In addition, this Mannschaft seemed to have recovered the old German "never die attitude" and the ability to win when it goes tough. If Argentina can somehow turn around the tables, and beat the Germans, Messi indeed would become the greatest of them all. Not that he is not the greatest in my eyes already. Good luck, little genius.

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City attorney, writing on legal and other important community topics, as well as on the subject of sport. You may contact him by telephone (212) 634-4250 or through e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

WORLD CUP 2014: GERMANY TO ENCOUNTER IN THE SEMIFINALS "NEYMARLESS", YET STRONGER BRAZIL

Judging by the German displays at this world cup, the descendants of the Teutonic tribes have recovered the old traits, which Joachim Low's offensively brilliant team was missing in all post-2002 tournaments. Except for the first two spectacular matches at this world cup (Germany v. Portugal, won be the Germans 4:0 and Germany v. Ghana, spectacular yet full of anarchy match, ended by a draw 2:2), the Germans had to grind their wins out against USA, Algeria and France in less than a spectacular fashion. However, they seemed to have recovered their old boring yet winning ways, for which Germany has been known since their first world title won in World Cup 1954 in Switzerland (after beating the spectacular Magyars 3:2) until their third world title won at World Cup 1990 in Italy (when they edged Diego Maradona's Argentina 1:0 on a penalty goal, converted by Brehme). No more spectacular were the Germans when they won their third and last Euro title, in Euro 1996, played on the pitches of old and merry England. The recovery of the old German grit does not bode well for Neymar-less Brazil. However, I am of the opinion that Brazil has better chances of beating Germany without Neymar than with him. The Brazilian team playing with Neymar was unexpectedly week, and incoherent most of the times. As a result of having two egotistical players in the team, such as Neymar on the left wing, and Hulk on the right flank, Brazilian centre-forward Fred has been the most ineffective Brazilian no. 9 since the times of infamous Serginho. Both Neymar and Hulk, instead of feeding Fred with precise passes, preferred to cut in to the middle from the flanks and shoot themselves. This caused the loss of unpredictability for which the Brazilian teams of old were known and feared for, as well as isolation of Fred from the whole Brazilian team. I believe that in the match against Germany we will see more passes to Fred, who thanks to his physique might be able to hold the ball and create spaces for other players coming either from flanks (such as Hulk, Willian or Bernard) or for Oscar, Fernandinho and Paulinho following Fred from the middle. Loss of Thiago Silva in defense will be much more painful for the Brazilians, as he is their most solid defensive player. In fact, the other three defenders (Dani Alves, David Luiz and Marcelo) are great assets in offense, but often liabilities in defensive assignments. Dante, the centre-half of Bayern Munich, who surely will take place of Thiago Silva, is known for his great passes from deep defense on forward and he is a threat on Brazil's corner kicks but he is not as good as Thiago Silva on the defensive end. I believe the Germans, with their methodical offensive plays, will want to explore the frailties of the Brazilian defense. However, the Germans have not such a great defense themselves. If they play Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels and Howedes, it appears that Brazil will not have much to say on the high ball passes, but they can try to exploit the not so mobile German tall defenders, such as Boateng, Mertesacker and Howedes, with simple one-two plays. To avoid too much exposure, Jogi Low should play Lahm, Mertesacker, Hummels and Howedes, a line of defense much more mobile. In midfield, Schweinsteiger should be paired with Kroos and Khedira, whereas the attack should be led by Muller, with Ozil and Gotze (or explosive Podolski) on the flanks. Miroslav Klose should be kept for the last 20 minutes of the game, in case there is a need to "throw a kitchen sink" at the Brazilians. The Brazilians will probably play Luiz Gustavo (or Paulinho) and Fernandinho, who brutalized so effectively James Rodriguez, as their two holding players, whereas Oscar should be playing the false no. 9, behind lone striker, Fred. On the wings, it should be Hulk and Willian or Bernard. I believe it is highly possible that Scolari might play even three holding players, in attempt to stifle German midfield. Another option is to play two holding players, with Willian instead of Oscar as the false no. 9, and to have Hulk and explosive Bernard on the wings. Whichever way Scolari choses to play, and notwithstanding another expected help from the referee and his assistants, I strongly believe that Germans will prevail and will reach the final. My prediction regarding the other semfinal, Argentina v. Holland, will be published soon.

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City based attorney writing on legal and other community important topics. You may contact him by telephone: (212) 634-4250 or by e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

WORLD CUP 2014: FRANCE V. GERMANY IN REPEAT OF THE CLASSICS OF THE PAST

This World Cup has been so exciting that I did not even notice that only 8 matches separate us from its conclusion. Tomorrow two quarterfinals are to be played, the first one between  France and Germany, and in the second the hosts Brazil are taking on Colombia. On Saturday Argentina led by the great Leo Messi will meet Belgium and the Netherlands will attempt to finish off the modest Costa Rica in the last of the quarterfinals. Here is my prediction for France v. Germany:
Who does not remember the 1982 and 1986 semifinals between these teams, so deeply embedded in the World Cup mystic? Incidentally, the Germans were eventually victorious in both of them, notwithstanding the great French midfield quartet led by Michel Platini. Nowadays, the characteristics of these two teams are quite altered: while Germany have now more creative players who seem to have lost some of that German never die attitude, the French, who in the past relied on gallic flair, now have acquired more power and solidity in defense and midfield. Although Germany seem to have riches of talent, experienced in big tournaments coach and the pedigree, France, as coached astutely by Didier Deschamps, who won the World Cup as a player in 1998, are a well balanced team. The defense, as I mentioned already, seems to be quite solid this time around. Goalkeeper Lloris is good on the line, however, he is more awkward when he comes out to high balls, notwithstanding some improvement in this area. Deschamps until now played three of his centre-halfs: Varance, Sakho and Koscielny. It appears that Varane and Koscielny will be paired against the Germans. Both are quite mobile and position themselves quite well, even though Varane is very young for a defender and relatively inexperienced, despite for playing for Real Madrid. Debuchy and Evra, playing as full-backs, are both experienced and solid enough notwithstanding Patrice Evra's decrease in mobility and erratic performance in the last season of English Premier League. In midfield France are so well balanced that I believe no team in this tournament can claim to be better. In two holding positions in midfield Deschamps utilizes Pogba and Matuidi, both powerful players, striking the ball very fiercely, yet at the same time able to creatively pass the ball into spaces in opponents penalty area. In front of them operate Cabaye, technical playmaker, employing sublime passes as well as long balls, and able to shoot from outside of the penalty area. On flanks Deschamps has technical wizard Valbuena and young Griezmann who usually cuts in from the left wing to score often. Griezman plays only when Deschamps utilizes one forward (Benzema), when the coach decides to employ two forwards, Benzema takes Griezman position on the left, whereas Giroud roams in the penalty area as the main forward.
The Germans in Neuer have the best goalkeeper in the world, however, he too often likes to leave the goal line, even the penalty area... The defense is a bit less solid than the French one, particularly if Hummels is absent. Should Hummels be fit, Joachim Low will play Mertesacker and Hummels in the middle, and Boateng and Howedes as full-backs. Both full-backs play usually as centre-hals in Bundesliga, and are quite awkward in going forward. If Hummels is unfit, Mustafi should play as right full-back whereas Boateng would join Mertesacker in the middle of defense. In midfield, it must be again Lahm with Schweinsteiger and Kroos. Each of them is capable of holding the ball as well as playmaking. As the offensive players, it probably will be again Ozil and Goetze on flanks, with Muller roaming in between the way he sees fit. There would be a lot of interchange of positions between theses three. Both teams appear to be quite even but Germans have better and larger bench, with Podolski, Schurle and old fox Klose ready to pounce on the French. The Germans should advance, but in no way I would be surprised if the French did.

Janusz Andrzejewski is New York City based attorney writing on legal and other important community topics. You can contact him by telephone (212)  634-4250 or through his e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com