As Euro 2024 approaches, let’s talk about Jakub Kiwior’s crucial role in the Polish national team and explore how Poland might perform in the tournament.
Football Journalist Kaz Mochlinski says…
“Jakub is highly respected in Poland, where football culture is often hyper-critical and quick to point out flaws in players. This scrutiny makes it particularly tough for goalkeepers like Wojciech Szczesny, who faces criticism for every minor mistake.
Despite this harsh environment, Jakub consistently earns a spot on the team sheet and stands out in the Polish squad. His breakthrough came as a defensive midfielder in Serie A, Italy, before being acquired by Arsenal. As a talented center-back, he made his mark at Arsenal by stepping in for William Saliba and playing alongside Gabriel.”
Note: If you have decided this year not to bet on football anymore, we suggest you play at the best mobile online casinos!
“He can play in midfield because he’s highly skilled technically. He excels in possession, passing, and ball retention. Currently, Poland uses a back-three formation. He made his breakthrough with the national team at the last World Cup, starting all the matches, advancing through the group stage, and only losing to France in the knockout rounds, which is respectable.
He started both warm-up matches—Friday against Ukraine and Monday against Turkey—and is one of the few players to play in both. This highlights his importance in the team. At just 24 years old, he is one of the younger players, but he has firmly established himself.”
He Will Always Be Remembered, Even if He Achieves Nothing Else
Since joining Arsenal, his progress has been remarkable. Last year, he scored his first goal for Poland, a moment that cemented his legacy in the international team. It was the sole goal in a crucial victory against Germany—a rare and cherished feat for Poland. You could count Polish victories over Germany on one hand. Scoring the winning goal on your international debut, especially in such a significant match, guarantees he will always be remembered, even if he achieves nothing else.
One of the standout moments in Monday’s match against Turkey was the thrilling duel between Kiwior and Arda Guler, Real Madrid’s right winger. There’s talk that Guler might start for Real next season, possibly taking Rodrygo’s spot on the right. When Guler came on at half-time, he continuously challenged Kiwior, leading to an exciting back-and-forth between the two talented young players. Guler would often get past Kiwior, but Kiwior would recover and stop him, showcasing their skills. In the end, Poland managed to halt Turkey, and Kiwior received a lot of praise for his performance under immense pressure in this classic one-on-one battle.
Jakub is very modest, grounded, and down to earth. He lives for football and strives to do his best in his career. He’s such a nice guy, and it means a lot to him to be in this squad, competing at the same level as the players around him.
The Atmosphere in Poland as They Approach the Euros
In the last warm-up match, disaster struck when Robert Lewandowski got injured. It’s already confirmed that he’ll miss the first match and is almost certainly out for the second one too. His availability for the third group game is still uncertain.
Many expected this tournament to be his last for Poland, possibly his final Euros. At 35, each time he wears the Polish shirt with the white eagle on the chest is special.
The other key player is Szczesny in goal, but Lewandowski is the one we really can’t afford to lose.
