EN / Early take on Poland's Euro campaign

I spoke to EuroTwentyTwelve blog ahead of Poland-Russia match last night to discuss the Greece match and what could have been expected in a Tuesday match against arch-rivals. I got it right with some points, eventually... ;) 

Smuda got it 'wrong' against Greece

Poland got off to a blistering start against Greece in the opening match of the tournament but reversed all their good work in the second-half. One Polish journalist believes the coach, Franciszek Smuda, got his tactics wrong and doesn’t believe Poland will be able to beat Russia when they meet them later today.

EN / Colourful nature of world affairs

The world is colourful. It is, at least, a conclusion that can be drawn from enjoying the Mappa series by Alighiero Boetti that until recently were displayed in London’s Tate Modern.

The exhibition, by name – “Game Plan” – with geopolitical connotations, offered an opportunity to experience how international affairs can be presented in arts.

EN / Talking to the Beeb

Kudos to Andy Brassell for making this one to happen. I always enjoy the lightness of his writing, particularly when he produces another interesting piece despite me troubling him with some chit-chats during or after the matches. 

I might have been in the middle of packing for a trip to Munich but when Andy asked me to share some thoughts of Poland's bumpy road to the Euros it was an opportunity that one simply cannot let slip. 

PL / Rozmowy w Monachium

Pasja jest najważniejsza. Są miejsca, sprawy, ludzie, rzeczy, które powodują, że uśmiech natychmiast gości na naszych twarzach i natychmiast inaczej patrzymy na codzienne bolączki. Czasami ma to charakter niesamowicie wysublimowany, choć wyrażony w trywialnych formach. 

PL / Demonizacja Europy Wschodniej

(Artykuł został opublikowany na łamach iGol.pl 17-ego kwietnia.) 

Poranne doniesienia o rasizmie na stadionach Euro 2012 i potencjalnych „wypadkach”, do których może dojść podczas imprezy, to nie pierwsza próba podważenia pozycji Polski ze strony FIFPro. Problemy istnieją, ale rewelacje międzynarodowej federacji piłkarzy to bełkot i próby manipulacji wizerunkiem. 

EN / Will this Barça leave a legacy?

With 28% of possession and only 194 passes completed to Barcelona's 782, Chelsea have reached for their tactics at Camp Nou in 2009 and Inter's in 2010 to once again prove that the "best football team ever" can actually be halted.

As argued by an ancient strategist Ibn Khaldūn in his theory of the cycle of civilisations, the sophisticated culture is always inevitably defeated and replaced by the barbarians.

EN / Day at the Lords’

The House of Lords, not the cricket ground, of course! Somehow, the game still seems to be more mysterious to me than the ceremony of politics between these life peers in the South wing of Westminster Palace.

Unlike the House of Commons, I have often overlooked the events in the House of Lords and, despite being an Anglophile, never really got it beyond: “It’s just like the Polish Senate but people there are not elected but usually appointed for a job for life, don’t represent constituents but review what is going on in the HoC and the Government instead,” to put it simplistically.

PL / Horror na Craven Cottage

Mecz w Londynie, który na zawsze zapisze się w pamięci Krakowa. Magia europejskich pucharów oczami przegranych.

Frustracja i szok. Martin Jol niedowierzająco kręcił głową, idąc w stronę tunelu. Jego piłkarze nie mieli nawet odwagi podnieść wzroku. Po wyrównującej bramce Baye Djiby'ego Falla sędzia nawet nie wskazał na środek boiska. Natychmiast odgwizdał koniec spotkania. Fulham odpadło z Ligi Europy w stylu tak dramatycznym, jak i tragicznym.

EN / He got it wrong

Over the weekend, the debate was dominated by the British PM's Thursday night decision in Brussels. Rightly so.

Britain decided not to engage with new EU financial measures. Sadly for the country, by "national interests" the Prime Minister understands the interests of EC3, EC4 and a few others neighbouring City of London postcodes. By rejecting taking on some of the European fiscal risk, Britain has altogether given up the chance to steer the ship cruising around the continent. Whether it sinks or not, it is out of British hands now. Either way it goes, it will surely affect London as severely as every member of the eurozone.

EN / And you thought you knew everything about Arsenal?

Review of “Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub” by Alex Fynn and Kevin Whitcher

In a balanced analysis of on- and off-the-field developments at Arsenal Football Club, the book tells the story how the ground for the appointment of Arsène Wenger was prepared and, subsequently, the Project Wenger of steering the club through troubled waters was implemented. It is written by two club insiders who collate Arsenal’s footballing performance with the power struggle in the boardroom during the transition period of moving to a new ground and setting the club’s new philosophy of the game.