Still, I can't help but side with grandpa (I have to, he is family after all). So forget being an unbiased journalist, check out the reasons why grandpa Stanley thinks Poland will win the Euro Cup this time around, and perhaps why you should agree, despite the fact the country had never been beyond the first round of the knockout stage prior to this year's event.
Robert Lewandowski
Remember that time Robert Lewandowski scored five goals in nine minutes against Wolfsburg in a German Bundesliga match? In case you've forgotten, feel free to refresh your memory and watch all five of them. I can't say I've watched this guy play much with my own eyes, but man can he make that ball talk! Lewendowski is clearly one of the best strikers in the world. He seems to be able to find the corners of the net with ease and finds a way to break free even when the defense is tight. While the team as a whole has only been able to hit the back of the net twice, Lewandowski's threatening ability to attack is still a major reason the team is advancing to the knockout stage, and he'll most certainly have to find the back of the net sooner or later. The fact that he scored 13 goals during the tournament's qualifying round is proof of that.
They Held Their Own Against The Germans This Time Around
I know three things about Lukas Podolski: he was born in Poland, he plays for Germany, and he was really good a few years ago. It always irked me as to why the guy would play for Germany over his home country, but I don't understand all of the rules of international play so I try not to read too much into it. The point is that Poland and I don't have to worry about him anymore, given he's no longer the top gun on the team. Besides that, Poland managed to hold Germany to a 0-0 draw during the group stage. Maybe this is indeed the year for Polska. Grandpa thinks it is. If he's right, it would be a long time coming. The only international football title the country has ever won came during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
The Team Hasn't Hit Its Stride Yet
Considering Poland has only scored three goals in four tournament matches leading up to the elimination round of the tournament, it might surprise you (particularly if you're a casual footy fan like me) to know that Poland actually led all of Europe in goals during the qualifying round with 33. Add to that Mr. Lewandowski's bag of tricks as an individual and there's a good chance we may indeed see an explosion of goals by the Poles at just the right time. Much like postseason play North American sports leagues, big international tournaments are often won by the team that's playing the best at the right time. That's exactly how Greece won the tournament 12 years ago.
Low Scores and Shootouts Make It Anybody's Ball Game
Although I myself prefer higher scoring sports like NFL football, basketball and hockey, the low scores and shootouts that often take place during an international soccer tournament mean that anyone can win once the pretenders get eliminated in the opening round, and the contenders get down to the nitty gritty. Although it will be a tall order to keep Germany, France, Italy and other contenders at bay defensively, if Poland can do it, a single big strike from the team's top notch offense could see my grandpa's one and only favorite team hoisting its first ever European title on July 10th. That is of course, assuming the tournament's Cinderella story, Iceland, doesn't shock the world.
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