Euro 2012: Lewandowski and Szczesny highlight Poland squad

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski and Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny are the biggest names included in Poland’s Euro 2012 squad.

Lewandowski bagged 22 goals and eight assists for the Bundesliga champions in 2011-12, while adding seven goals in the DFB Pokal, including a hat-trick in the final against Bayern Munich on 12 May 2012.

The ex-Lech Poznań talisman has 13 international goals to his name thus far, and will surely be looking to add to that tally at the 2012 European Championships.

Robert Lewandowski is 20/1 to be the top overall goalscorer at Euro 2012, and 7/4 to be Poland’s top marksman.

Meanwhile, Szczesny established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper this season.

The former Legia Warsaw youth star started 38 English Premier League matches for the Gunners in 2011-12, keeping 13 clean sheets. In case you’re wondering, that’s every game of Arsenal’s league campaign.

In addition, the Polish keeper was featured in goal for seven UEFA Champions League fixtures and one FA Cup clash.

From 2011 on, Szczesny has made six starts for Poland. Subsequently, he looks a lock to be in goal when Poland kick-off Euro 2012 on 8 June against Greece.

Smuda excludes Jodlowiec, Kucharczyk and Glik

Biało-czerwoni manager Franciszek Smuda was forced to cut Tomasz Jodlowiec, Michal Kucharczyk and Kamil Glik in order to name his final 23-man squad for Euro 2012.

“It was really painful to tell three players they will not participate in the finals,” said Smuda.

“Saturday was very difficult for me. We played a friendly and I was praying the whole game that none of my players would get injured.

“Then, in the evening, I had a meeting with my assistants, captain Jakub Blaszczykowski and with the three players. I understand they are disappointed, but two months after the Euro finals we start our World Cup qualification campaign, so they can return if they make progress.”

Goalkeepers:

Wojciech Szczesny, Grzegorz Sandomierski, Przemyslaw Tyton

Defenders:

Sebastian Boenisch, Marcin Kaminski, Damien Perquis, Lukasz Piszczek, Marcin Wasilewski, Jakub Wawrzyniak, Grzegorz Wojtkowiak

Midfielders:

Jakub Blaszczykowski, Dariusz Dudka, Kamil Grosicki, Adam Matuszczyk, Adrian Mierzejewski, Rafal Murawski, Eugen Polanski, Ludovic Obraniak, Maciej Rybus, Rafal Wolski

Forwards:

Pawel Brozek, Robert Lewandowski, Artur Sobiech

Euro 2012 Betting Odds: Poland

Poland are 50/1 to win Euro 2012 with the bookmakers, while Poland’s co-hosts Ukraine are also 50/1 to win this summer’s European Championships.

I fancy Poland over Ukraine for many reasons, but mostly due to the fact that Ukraine will have trouble reaching the knockout stages.

Poland are in arguably the easiest group of the competition, while Ukraine must face the likes of England, France and Sweden in Group D. Advantage Poland.