Euros: Poland news, fixtures, manager, key players, Euros record

Poland were the last team to book their tickets for the Euros, beating Wales on penalties to take their place in a fifth tournament in a row.

The Eagles have struggled to make a consistent impact on the continental stage, making it out of the groups only once, in 2016, when they beat Northern Ireland and Ukraine either side of a draw against Germany. They then outlasted Switzerland on penalties, but lost to eventual winners Portugal by the same method in the quarter-finals.

They will face the Netherlands, Austria and France in the 'Pool of Death', Group D, but the smatterings of genuine world-class talent within their player pool gives them a chance to qualify.

Poland Euro 2024 fixtures

Poland v Netherlands, 14:00, Saturday 16th June, Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
Poland v Austria, 17:00, Friday 21st June, Olympiastadion, Berlin
France v Poland, 17:00, Tuesday 23rd June, BVB Stadion, Dortmund 

Poland Euro 2024 squad

Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus), Marcin Bulka (Nice), Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna).

Defenders: Jan Bednarek (Southampton), Bartosz Bereszynski (Empoli), Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal), Bartosz Salamon (Lech Poznan), Tymoteusz Puchacz (Kaiserslautern), Pawel Dawidowicz (Verona), Sebastian Walukiewicz (Empoli).

Midfielders: Przemyslaw Frankowski (Lens), Kamil Grosicki (Pogon Szczecin), Jakub Moder (Brighton), Taras Romanczuk (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Damian Szymanski (AEK Athens), Michal Skoras (Brugge), Nikola Zalewski (Roma), Jakub Piotrowski (Ludogorets), Bartosz Slisz (Atlanta), Sebastian Szymanski (Fenerbahce), Kacper Urbanski (Bologna), Piotr Zielinski (Napoli).

Forwards: Adam Buksa (Antalyaspor), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Krzysztof Piatek (Basaksehir), Kamil Swiderski (Verona).

Poland manager

Michal Probierz

Michal Probierz was parachuted in following Fernando Santos' ill-fated reign and just about guided the team to qualification.

Probierz coached both Jagiellonia Bialystok and Cracovia to the Polish title and his appointment in September 2023 was based on solid results while in charge of his country's under-21s.

The 51-year-old is a pragmatist who kicks every ball, but the team's stodgy showings under him raise questions about his ability to change games through tactical acumen. 

Poland captain

Robert Lewandowski

A national hero, Robert Lewandowski is, by some distance, his country's record cap holder and highest goalscorer.

At 35, inevitable signs of decline have started to set in but his record for both club and country means he shouldn't be underestimated, especially with the possibility that this will be his final international tournament.

Poland key players

Piotr Zielinski

Poland's primary playmaker, Piotr Zielinski, helped Napoli win Serie A in 2022/23 but has seen his minutes limited this season after refusing to sign a new contract ahead of his anticipated free transfer to Inter Milan in the summer.

Two-footed and able to both pass and run with the ball, he, like Lewandowski, sometimes looks frustrated by the limitations of those around him. but he possesses the ability to turn matches and needs a strong tournament.

Wojciech Szczesny

Wojciech Szczesny is still semi-derided in England for his time at Arsenal but the fact that Juventus chose him to replace Gianluigi Buffon shows how highly regarded he is in Italy.

Szczesny made a couple of vital saves in Cardiff before leaping to his right and palming Dan James' spot-kick away to win the shootout and seal qualification for this tournament against Wales.

Jakub Kiwior

Another squad member with an Arsenal connection, Jakub Kiwior, has improved markedly over the last 12 months at the Gunners and is a rarity among Polish defenders - a ball player.

Likely to be stationed on the left of a back three, Kiwior will be vital to getting Poland on the front foot by turning defence into attack by finding Zielinski and Lewandowski in space. 

Poland one to watch

Jakub Piotrowski

A late bloomer, 26-year-old Jakub Piotrowski is suddenly a key player for Poland and will be charged with driving the team from midfield.

There is little subtlety about the Ludogorets Razgrad man, but he will relish the chance to unsettle his more illustrious opponents and his penchant for shooting whenever the opportunity arises also makes him a goal threat.

Poland All-time Euros record

Year	Performance
1960-2004	Did not qualify
2008	Group stage
2012	Group stage
2016	Quarter-finals
2020	Group stage

Poland's Euro 2024 prospects

A place in Group D alongside former winners France and the Netherlands, as well as an unpredictable Austria side, is unlikely to spark optimism around the Poland camp and the truth is that they were lucky to make it to the Euros.

Probierz's side finished behind Albania and the Czech Republic in their qualifying pool before defeating Estonia and then Wales in the play-offs. However, from the moment they hoofed the ball long from the kick-off, it felt like they were playing for penalties in Cardiff and they were second-best throughout.

Lewandowski and Zielinski will be hoping for more but expect the Eagles' tactics to be of the spoiling kind, as was the case at Qatar 2022 when they won only once and barely got near France in the last 16.

Poland's campaign could hinge on their middle Group D game against Austria. A win in Berlin, plus perhaps an opening point against the Dutch, could see them sneak through, although it won't be in style.

Poland Euro 2024 odds

• To Win Outright - 150/1
• To Reach Final - 40/1
• To Reach Semi-Final - 12/1
• To Reach Quarter-Final - 7/2
• Group Betting - 10/1
• Group Qualification Yes - 5/4
• Group Qualification No - 4/7

You can use our betting hubs to see the latest Euros betting odds

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.