The Polish national team is about to face Germany in a friendly match in Warsaw’s national stadium.
It is always a special event when Poland and Germany play against each other, even in a friendly match. This Friday, all eyes will be on the former captain of the Polish squad, Jakub Błaszczykowski, who will make his last appearance with the White and Reds.
The Polish midfielder played his first game with the national team almost back in 2006. After Robert Lewandowski (128), he is the Pole with the most appearances for his country (108), during which he scored 21 goals.
For many years, “Kuba” has been an undisputed member of Poland’s starting 11. His charisma and creativity made him a valuable asset, and he proved decisive on several occasions in important international matches. Polish fans still remember his equalising banger against Russia during the group phase of the EURO 2012 or his opening goal against Ukraine in the group phase of the EURO 2016 or the one against Switzerland in the round of 16 of that same competition.
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A standing ovation can also be expected from German fans given the numerous years Błaszczykowski played in the Bundesliga. After having stared his career in Wisła Kraków, the Pole played for Borussia Dortmund for almost a decade, including several years together with his compatriots Robert Lewandowski and Łukasz Piszczek with whom he dominated the German league. In 2012, “Kicker” magazine named him the biggest gentleman of the Bundesliga after he spent three years (5638 minutes) without receiving a single yellow card.
After having been rented to Fiorentina for a season, “Kuba” went back to Germany to perform with Wolsburg. In 2019, he made a sensational comeback to Poland’s Ekstraklasa where he rejoined his initial club, Wisła Kraków, with which he performs until this day.
There is no doubt that at 37, Jakub Błaszczykowski is about to retire from professional football. His fair play, associated with a warrior mentality, made him a model for tens of thousands of young Poles. With the White and Reds’ iconic number 16 saying goodbye, an important page in Polish football is being turned.
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The match opposing Poland and Germany will kick off on Friday at 19.45 (UK time).
Image: Twitter (@PSN_Futbol)
Author: Sébastien Meuwissen
