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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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7-Piotr Swierczewski
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(Olympique Marseille) Born: 8.4.72 Caps: 65 Goals: 1
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Playmaker favored by coach Jerzy Engel. Will play a crucial role strengthening a traditionally weak midfield.
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10-Radoslaw Kaluzny
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(Energie Cottbus) Born: 2.2.74 Caps: 30 Goals: 10
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Tall and powerful player who usually occupies a defensive midfield role. Often scores from headers on set plays.
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17-Arkadiusz Bak
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(Widzew Lodz) Born: 6.10.74 Caps: 12 Goals: 0 |
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Midfielder who failed to win a starting place at English first division side Birmingham City late last year.
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21-Marek Kozminski
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(Brescia) Born: 7.2.71 Caps: 42 Goals: 1
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Left half-back who took part in most of the qualifiers and is likely to play at the World Cup. Can also cover as a strong defender, but is struggling to get a start at his club.
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18-Jacek Krzynowek
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(Nuremberg) Born: 15.5.76 Caps: 23 Goals: 1
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Left-footed midfielder who is regularly on the bench for Poland as backup for Kozminksi. Played a key role in Nuremberg's promotion to the Bundesliga last season.
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23-Pawel Sibik
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(Odra Wodzislaw) Born: 15.2.71 Caps: 2 Goals: 0
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A late bloomer who was until recently little known even in the Polish league. A small, busy midfielder, Sibik is likely to spend the tournament on the bench.
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16-Maciej Murawski
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(Legia Warsaw) Born: 20.2.74 Caps: 4 Goals: 0
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Murawski, who studied economics during his military service, is an elegant long-haired midfielder who helped Legia Warsaw to the Polish league title. Unlikely to start.
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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11-Emmanuel Olisadebe
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(Panathinaikos) Born: 22.12.78 Caps: 16 Goals: 10
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Fleet-footed Nigerian-born striker who rejuvenated Polish football after gaining citizenship in 2000. Scored on his debut against Romania and went on to become Poland's top scorer in the World Cup qualifiers with eight goals. However, he is not a first choice at his Greek club.
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9-Pawel Kryszalowicz
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(Eintracht Frankfurt) Born: 23.6.74 Caps: 23 Goals: 5
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A talented striker with a deft scoring touch inside the box. Made his debut as a substitute against Sweden in 1999 and is now Olisadebe's main partner.
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14-Marcin Zewlakow
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(Excelsior) Born: 22.4.76 Caps: 17 Goals: 4
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A substitute who has emerged as a dependable back-up for Olisadebe or Kryszalowicz. Five minutes older than his twin Michal, a defender who he plays with for both club and country.
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8-Cezary Kucharski
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(Legia Warsaw) Born: 17.2.72 Caps: 15 Goals: 3
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Legia Warsaw skipper Kucharski led his club to the Polish league title from the front, netting 13 goals. That was enough for Engel to call him up, but Kucharski is unlikely to start up front, barring injury to other players.
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19-Maciej Zurawski
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(Wisla Krakow) Born: 12.9.76 Caps: 9 Goals: 3
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The Polish league's most feared striker, who helped his club win the title in 2001. Leading scorer in the first half of this season with 14 goals. Made his debut as a substitute in 1998.
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