Tokyo, August 8, 2006: No wonder the Poles are being talked of as dark horses at the men's World Championships in Japan.
They have proved in the World League that they are a force to be reckoned with this year, having won twice in the United States, twice in Japan and once at home to Serbia and Montenegro in compiling a 5-3 win-loss record.
With four matches remaining in Pool A, all at home to the USA and Japan, top spot and a place in the Moscow finale is well within Poland's grasp.
Not that Poland's Argentine head coach, Raul Lozano, or his players are looking too far forward.
At a World League press conference at Funabashi Arena last Friday, Lozano was asked if he had finalised his squad for the World Championships, which start November 17.
"I haven't even decided who will play tomorrow, so for sure I have not made up my mind about who will play in November," he replied.
"I have plenty of time to change players if they are not in good shape or if they are injured, and to select someone who is showing good form. I will talk about the World Championships at the press conference in November."
When Serbia and Montenegro visited Japan for the start of the World League last month, visiting captain Goran Vujevic said Poland could be the surprise of the World Championships and shock any of the four favourites: Brazil, Italy, Russia and Serbia and Montenegro.
And they showed at Funabashi that they have the all-round game, the height, power and depth in talent to dominate opponents and maintain a high tempo.
Mariusz Wlazly was virtually unstoppable on the flanks, and Sebastian Swiderski proved elusive to the Japanese blockers with his soaring spikes down the middle from deep positions. Both these two will be marked men when Poland play their Pool A matches against China, Argentina, Egypt, Puerto Rico and Japan at the 20,000-capacity Saitama Super Arena from November 17-22.
But there's plenty of work ahead before then, though, according to Swiderski.
"Now our thoughts are on the World League," he said after Sunday's 3-0 victory.
"This is the most important thing, and we will think about the World Championships in November. Right now we must focus on the World League and try to qualify for the final round in Moscow."
