{"id":71,"date":"2025-09-09T19:54:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:54:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilovepoland.fi\/?p=71"},"modified":"2025-09-09T19:54:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:54:21","slug":"the-rebirth-of-polands-national-team-urban-and-lewandowskis-return-brought-a-clear-victory-over-a-collapsing-finland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ilovepoland.fi\/?p=71","title":{"rendered":"The Rebirth of Poland\u2019s National Team \u2013 Urban and Lewandowski\u2019s Return Brought a Clear Victory over a Collapsing Finland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Poland\u2019s national football team has endured difficult years: frequent coaching changes, a shaky playing identity, and the withdrawal of its biggest star, Robert Lewandowski, from international duty. But at the start of September in Chorz\u00f3w, things looked very different. Poland defeated Finland convincingly 3\u20131 in a World Cup qualifier, sending a strong signal: a new era has begun. For Finland\u2019s Huuhkajat, who had beaten Poland earlier in qualifying and were nurturing hopes of a World Cup berth, the result was a bitter disappointment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Jan Urban<\/strong> was appointed head coach in summer 2025, many saw him as a stopgap. He succeeded Micha\u0142 Probierz<\/strong>, who had clashed with Lewandowski. From the start, Urban made it clear that his task was to restore trust and unity. He met with senior players, calmed the dressing room, and did everything possible to bring the captain back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewandowski\u2019s return \u2013 captain and goalscorer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the end of August it happened: Robert Lewandowski returned<\/strong> and reclaimed the captain\u2019s armband. Symbolically, the comeback meant a lot, but on the pitch even more. Against Finland, Lewandowski scored his first goal of the season for the national side and proved he could still lead the attack. Finland looked like a clear underdog right until the final minutes, when Benjamin K\u00e4llman<\/strong> scored a consolation goal and the team managed to create a couple of late chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the night in Chorz\u00f3w, Poland was clearly superior. The goals came from Matty Cash<\/strong>, Lewandowski<\/strong>, and Jakub Kami\u0144ski<\/strong>. Finland only narrowed the score at the end, but the match had been effectively decided long before that. Urban\u2019s team looked organised, bold, and above all hungry. It seemed like a completely different side compared to last season\u2019s chaotic displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media reactions: euphoria, humour \u2013 and dismay<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Polish press was euphoric. Sport.pl<\/strong> highlighted Urban\u2019s enthusiasm and almost childlike joy in the press conference, where he could hardly sit still. Przegl\u0105d Sportowy<\/strong> quipped that Finns could go back to their saunas and tell stories of the lesson Poland gave them on the pitch. Former Finnish international Mixu Paatalainen<\/strong> admitted that Lewandowski\u2019s return made Finland\u2019s defending far more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Finnish media, however, were scathing. Yleisradio\u2019s sports desk wrote: \u201cA Finland without fighting spirit served up a pancake performance and once again collapsed in a key match.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Polish commentators, the win was not just three points, but evidence of a real change in direction. Under Urban, the team has found a new tactical backbone, while Lewandowski\u2019s return has restored authority and attacking power. If this continues, Poland could rise once again among Europe\u2019s elite. Finland\u2019s national team, on the other hand, has much soul-searching ahead. YLE journalist Samu Saatsi<\/strong> urged head coach Jacob Friis<\/strong> to make a clear generational shift in the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n