Lewandowski form can fire host nation Poland to group success
Published:As one of the host nations for Euro 2012, Poland kick off the tournament on 8th June, at 11/10 to beat 2004 European champions Greece.
Poland are 5/6 to qualify from Group A, and those odds are encouraging bearing in mind that at least one home nation has qualified from three of the last four European championships.
Keep in mind that each of the sides to qualify did so by topping their respective groups too, and the 5/2 odds about a Polish group triumph are also encouraging.
Russia and Czech Republic are the other group habitants, and whilst none represent an easy task, the Czech national outfit in particular is certainly not the force it once was.
What may attract punters to get behind a successful tournament for the Polish meanwhile, is the inclusion in their squad of Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.
The striker has enjoyed a terrific domestic season in Germany, scoring 30 goals in all competitions en route to Dortmund’s first ever league and cup double.
Still only 23, Lewandowski is attracting the interest of some of the world’s biggest clubs, with Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly the keenest of the English clubs courting him.
A continuation of his impressive form at a major international tournament would impress visiting scouts, and he will be eager to help his country progress on home soil.
Despite his relatively few years, Lewandowski has already racked up 40 Poland caps, and having scored 13 goals in these appearances, his international pedigree is unquestionable.
At 33/1, he is a longshot to be top tournament goalscorer, but with favourable group opposition, the striker could race clear in the early stages of the competition.
Punters who fancy the double of Poland to win the tournament and Lewandowski to be top scorer in it can have 400/1 about that outcome meanwhile, though even the most ardent Polish fans will likely avoid this.
