Polish football traditions still alive in Honduras

Since the 70s and 80s, Polish national football team, aka national soccer team for all of you Americans, hasn't really accomplished any memorable victories. As a nation of avid football fans, Poles are devastated with the ongoing lack of achievements given the fact that individual Polish players like Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Błaszczykowski, Wojciech Szczęsny, Łukasz Piszczek, Artur Boruc, or Przemysław Tytoń, just to name a few, are very successful footballers in major European football leagues.  Presumably, an issue of a monetary motivation.

After Poland and Ukraine hosted a very well organized EURO 2012 European Football Championship last year, all excuses about lack of proper venues and young talent are no longer valid.  When the Orlik 2012 program was completed, almost every township in Poland developed a new soccer field available for young players to practice and enhance their skills.  Light of motivation?

But not all hope is lost.  While watching MLS match, Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United last Sunday, it came to my attention that number 27 from Houston, carries a middle name of one of the most famous Polish players, Zbigniew "Zibi" Boniek.  Yes, it was native Honduran Oscar Boniek Garcia Ramirez and for whatever reason, name on his jersey reads Boniek.  His Twitter account is also @OscarBoniek.  Congrats to his parents recognizing Boniek's talent.  Hopefully, the motivation for Oscar Boniek will increase from his annual $120,000 to something more substantial.  If the Honduran with Polish name playing for US team can't carry Polish football traditions, who can?

Poland vs Russia: hooligans fight, teams draw 1-1

Is it hot in here or is it the Polish police sweating their bottoms off to diffuse Polish and Russian pseudo-fans (Polish: kibole) before the hotly anticipated EURO 2012 match today?

As reported by BBC, about 1,000 Russians marched thorough the town center, over the Poniatowski bridge on the way to the National Stadium.  The march was planned and authorized by Warsaw city council wanting to display the true democracy in real life dismissing any talk about a provocation.  Not coincidentally, the Polish police was anticipating some disturbances since the football march coincided with the Russian independence day celebrated on June 12th.  After 44 years under Russian rule, display of any Soviet Union memorabilia or flags would just stir up Polish people who still remember the oppressive regime.  

Poles met Russians on the bridge to show their angry disapproval but the swift riot Police action averted any major fights.  15 people were injured and about 100 hooligans were quickly taken out of the game, yes I'm being sarcastic here, and arrested.  

Hopefully, this stupidity won't spill over the town after the game.  Check out some videos taken during the march.

Fortunately, the match itself was an exciting show of sportsmanship by both teams.  Russian team, ranked as 13th in the world by FIFA, could not defeat Polish team, ranked as 62nd.  In 37th minute, Alan Dzagoev scored a goal for Russia.  Poles were devastated but they picked up the game in the 2nd half.  In 57th minute, Jakub Błaszczykowski scored an equalizer.  Both teams tried to change that score but 1:1 was the final outcome.

Now all the Polish team has to do to advance from the group is to win with Czech Republic on June 16th at Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw.  Goooooooooo Pooooooooland!!!

 

Poland is ready for EURO CUP 2012

After years of preparation, construction, and political bickering, Poland and Ukraine are ready for EURO 2012 European Football Championship.  And by football, I mean soccer - just to be clear with US readers.  The tournament kick-off begins on June 8th in Warsaw with the final on July 1st in Kyiv.  UEFA president Michel Platini, is still unhappy with the state of new venues in both countries and hotel room prices in Ukraine.  I presume, bitching is his job.

Poles and Ukrainians, on the other hand, are ecstatic.  Poland gained four great stadiums, new roads, and new highways that will serve for years to come.  All of the host cities completed all the construction projects for supporting infrastructure: train stations, new bus lines, new hotels, parking lots, and metric ton more - yes I used metric system to make a point.  Some claim, Poland escaped recession with all that money spent everywhere.  For the Eastern European countries to accomplish project of such proportions - is a success. 

Will regular folks enjoy some profits and stack of zlotych (Polish currency) serving the tourists?  They sure will.  Since the hotel room are gone long time ago, there are plenty of private rooms and apartments for rent for the tournament.  Some accommodations are tight but who would complain about the room having a blast with kielbasa and high octane beverage enjoying Polish hospitality?

Check out the fast motion videos from the construction site of the National Stadium (Stadion Narodowy) in Warsaw.   

Host cities in Poland: Warszawa, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan
Host cities in Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv, Donetsk, Kharkiv