The Tribune

POLAND

World ranking: 15

Group D: with Brazil (3),

Tahiti (7) and Japan (8)

The road to Nassau

Poland kicked off their campaign in the European qualifying tournament with a creditable second-place finish in Group E, in which they registered two victories - beating Estonia 5-3 and Denmark 5-1 - and a 4-2 loss to table-topping Spain.

However, it was from the second stage onwards that they really came into their own. They overcame Ukraine 4-3, Moldova 3-1 and two-time world champions Russia 5-3 to progress to the semi-finals.

Then, with their ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 already in the bag, they outlasted Italy to prevail 3-2 after extra time and reach the final, in which they upset Switzerland to win the competition for the first time.

Strengths and style

Experience is the word that best sums up the Polish, starting between the goalposts with the talents of Szymon Gasinski, who is enjoying a high point of a career that began in 2002. Not for nothing did he pick up the Best Goalkeeper accolade in qualifying.

Similarly, in attack they have the magic of another veteran, Boguslaw Saganowski, who was named the outstanding performer (MVP) of the preliminary tournament in Jesolo, Italy.

With the vast mileage they have under their belts, this battle-hardened duo set the tone for a group that is characterised by a strong mentality and a refusal to be daunted by opposing teams with more history or pedigree.

FIFA Beach Soccer

World Cup record

Poland will be returning to the Beach Soccer World Cup for the second time at Bahamas 2017. Their previous appearance came 11 years ago, at Rio de Janeiro, where they exited in the group stage following respective 4-2 and 9-2 reverses against United States and hosts Brazil, although they did at least earn some consolation by defeating Japan 8-5.

• The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 will be held in Nassau from April 27 to May 7.