Euro 2012: 5 Questions Facing Poland Heading into Euro 2012

As co-hosts of the biggest footballing celebration this year (sorry, Olympics), the Polish football team will have a lot of eyes and hopes resting on them to represent the country in front of the entire world.

Even though they are not perennial international powerhouses, they have a very real chance of progressing out of their favorable group, which consists of Russia, Greece and the Czech Republic.

Due to poor showings at recent international tournaments, questions have been raised about the Poles and how they will fare at this year's European Championships.

Here are five questions facing Poland heading into Euro 2012.

Is Robert Lewandowski Ready for the Big Stage?

The 23-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker has yet to play for Poland in an major tournament other than World Cup qualifying, so if he is included in the Euro squad (which he should), he will have a lot to prove.

This season, he scored 20 goals in 33 starts in the Bundesliga for Dortmund.

That is an impressive strike rate and at such a young age, Lewandowski is showing a lot of promise.

He has been capped for Poland 40 times, scoring 13 times including on his senior debut three weeks after his 20th birthday.

Poland cannot afford to not call upon Lewandowski in June. This is the perfect stage for him to showcase his talents to the world.

Can Wojciech Szczesny Be an Effective, Reliable Shot-Stopper?

It looks as if Arsenal's number one goalie will be between the sticks for Poland in June.

The question is: Will he be good enough?

Yes.

There is a reason Szczesny is the starting goalkeeper for one of the top clubs in the best league in the world. His youth isn't an issue. His reflexes are superb; his game management skills defy his youth.

The biggest threat he will face in the group stages is former teammate Andrei Arshavin. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Poland kept three clean sheets against their group opposition.

Can Poland's Dortmund Trio Effectively Impact Each Match?

Robert Lewandowski, Łukasz Piszczek, and captain Jakub Blaszczykowski all ply their trade in Germany for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

They create a backbone within the Polish lineup that should be able to impact the outcome of the game. Considering the fact that many of the starting lineup play in different leagues over Europe, the fact that these three play together week in and week out plays in Poland's favor.

The chemistry between the three of them should rub off on the rest of the team. Running the ball through the middle through Kuba and Lewandowski could be the most effective attack for Poland, and it should work pretty well.

Jakub Błaszczykowski

Can Poland Finally Break Their Horrible International Tourney Record?

Failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Failure to make it out of the group stages of Euro 2008 in Austria-Switzerland.

Failure to make it out of the group stages in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Recently Poland hasn't done well in international tournaments. With the offensive firepower and team chemistry they have this time around, expect them to finally advance into the knockout stages and bring some pride home.

Will Poland's Home Field Advantage Be a Factor?

Well, it should.

However, Poland isn't particularly known as a footballing nation.

That being said, national fervor should be through the roof due to Euro 2012 being the first international competition Poland has hosted.

Remember South Korea in 2002?

Poland may be able to emulate Korea's success due to the backing of their fans. The players will want to bring glory to a nation that is yearning for some success.