Euro 2012 scouting report: Poland

Polish football expert Ryan Hubbard profiles the Poland squad ahead of Euro 2012.

Poland are joint-hosts of Euro 2012. They are the lowest ranked team in the competition. Poland didn't qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Their last European Championship was in 2008. The team won just one point and scored one goal in their three games. Coach Leo Beenhakker was relieved of his position in late 2009. Franciszek Smuda took over the job.

Poland qualified for Euro 2012 without a qualifying campaign. They have been unbeaten in the last six matches and have only two defeats in last fifteen. Their recent results include wins against Belarus, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Poland also beat Argentina 2-1.

Poland's defence is weak. Damien Perquis and Sebastian Boenisch have recently returned from injury. Jakub Wawrzyniak suffered a muscle pull last week. Poland play in a 4-2-3-1 system. Lukasz Piszczek, Jakubi Blaszycki and Robert Lewandowski are the main threats to Greece, Russia and Czech Republic's defences.

Robert Lewandowski has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season. The 23-year-old has been linked with Manchester United. Rumours of contract talks in Germany stalling.

Poland's first choice striker Lewy is a good player. He has been impressive in the Bundesliga this season.

Legia Warszawa's academy has produced some of the brightest talents in Poland. Wojciech Szczesny and Maciej Rybus have made their way from the club's youth set-up to foreign clubs. Rafal Wolski, 19, looks set to be the next in line to make the step.

Franciszek Smuda is a Polish football coach. He won two league titles with Widzew Lódz and one with Wisla Kraków. Smudas also won the Polish Cup with Lech Poznan and guided Zaglebie Lubin to European football.

Poland are preparing for Euro 2012. They are training in Lienz. The team beat Rapid Liensz 8-0 in a training game. A weakened team defeated Latvia 1-1 in Klagenfurt. Full-strength team played against Slovakia 4 days later. It won 1,0 thanks to a header from French-born defender Damien Perquis. Poland's final game was a 1/0 victory over Andorra in Warsaw.

Poland are in Group A at Euro 2012. They are expected to advance to the quarter-finals.