2012 is a big year for Polish football fans, though in a way that you may not at first expect. The European Championship is being co-hosted by several cities and the dates are already crossed out in everybody’s calendars, but it’s not only about the Euros. There is a lot more to play for in Polish football in the following twelve months so here is a preview of what to look out for in 2012.

The Supercup Final – The National Stadium in Warsaw, 11.02.2012 – Legia Warsaw vs. Wisla Krakow

This is not only the big premiere of the stage where everything will kick off in June, but also an exciting chance to look at two Polish teams that are preparing for the biggest spring in their recent histories – Wisła and Legia will represent Poland on the European stage in UEFA’s second tournament. Leaving the Europa League aside, this is also an epic encounter between two teams that have mostly dominated Polish football in recent history. Although Wisła is leading in the number of titles won in this millennium, Legia is as always regarded as a domestic giant – the one that is finally nearing it’s real potential. Both are known for exciting football – Wisła counting on Melikson, Małecki, Biton and Iliev as their main attacking force, while Legia’s biggest strength lies in Radović, Ljuboja and Rybus. There are also differences between both clubs – the Polish capital’s biggest club is introducing many young and exciting players to their squad and the names of Wolski, Żyro, Borysiuk or Kucharczyk should be and probably already are in the notebooks of scouts from better leagues. Why are the Polish champions different? Well, in order to try and win a place in the Champions League group stages they invested in experience rather than youth – when that tactic didn’t pay off fans loudly demanded changes in Wisła’s strategy. It will be interesting to see how two Polish titans will operate in the transfer market and the first official clash of the year in domestic football may be the first glimpse of what we can expect from Legia and Wisła. From what is known now, this match is the top priority for both sets of fans, something that may only add to what happens at Poland’s biggest stadium.

Europa League, Round of 1/16 – 16.02.2012 – Legia Warsaw vs. Sporting Lisbon, Wisła Krakow vs. Standard Liege

Two huge games for Polish football – following good and lucky results in Europe, both Ekstraklasa clubs gained promotion from the group stages and now face huge challenges in the first knock-out stage. Despite luckily avoiding the biggest names that were in the Europa League’s December draw, Wisła and Legia are still underdogs in their ties, being unable to match Sporting and Standard in terms of finance and experience. But with only a few expecting them to be where they are now, the pressure is lower, while the belief that another miracle, similar to the one in Fulham-Odense game, can happen is growing. Anticipation is high but fans are probably forgetting the real goal for Legia and Wisła in these games – the most important thing is for them to add as many points to UEFA’s club ranks as possible and put themselves in better positions when their next European adventure comes.

19th Ekstraklasa round – The Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw 25.02.2012 – Śląsk Wroclaw vs. Legia Warsaw

An early title decider? It could be – with Legia’s squad distracted by European football and many important games over a short period in February they will have to put more focus on the domestic league as the title is as important at Łazienkowska as glory in Europa League. In just the second game of the spring round they face the league leaders at their place – the last two games between these sides, both played in Warsaw, were lost in Legia and only showed the strength of Wroclaw’s team. Of course, there will be still eleven games to play in Ekstraklasa and the title will be far from settled – but the most interesting point, apart from Śląsk’s ability to silence Legia’s attacking options, will be how the hosts cope with the pressure of being one of the biggest contenders in the race. As history shows, the teams that have recently been top at Christmas can’t necessarily cope with it. The man who knows this best from remembering how his GKS Belchatow fell apart in the second part of the season to lose a historic chance to win the league, is also in charge of Śląsk now – the man is Orest Lenczyk.

The Ekstraklasa’s last round – 06.05.2012, Henryk Reyman’s Stadium in Krakow – Wisla Krakow vs Śląsk Wroclaw

With only thirteen league games left in the space of three months both clubs face huge challenges. As I’ve said, Śląsk have to defend their lead in the table while Wisła have all the work to do, with a huge gap between themselves and the leaders. If the latter is reduced, and that should happen judging from recent history, the title race will go all the way to the last day of the Ekstraklasa’s 2011/2012 season. This will be as exciting as it can get and all eyes will be on Wisła’s ground. It’s also worth noting that almost twenty five years ago, when Śląsk needed only a win in their last game against Wisła, Wroclaw’s team had a dubious penalty given. The match, as it has since been said, was fixed. Silent signs of where the keeper should go - in a different direction to the ball that is - were exchanged but when the goalie went for the ball it turned out that Wisla paid more. The title went to different hands…There will be no fixing this time though – the chance to play in the Champions League is a better and more exclusive reward than the biggest of bribes.

The European Championship’s group stages – 08.06-18.06.2012 Warsaw and Wroclaw – Poland’s games vs. Greece, Russia and Czech Republic

Well, this is what we are waiting for, isn’t it? It doesn’t really get bigger than this for Polish football fans and despite the fact that group A was already named as the weakest one Poles couldn’t care less – or be more grateful for those who drew it that way, for that matter. Franciszek Smuda’s future aside, these games may also decide the fate of what happens to the Polish FA’s president and the board. Failure at home will be simply unacceptable and fans won’t care how weak our team is even if it does just show the real strength of our national squad.

The World Cup qualifier – 16.10.2012 The National Stadium in Warsaw – Poland vs. England

The fates once again put both countries against each other on the football pitch and a win may be crucial for both sides. With possible changes in both managerial positions following Euro 2012, this may be the first real test for the new managers and a chance to see their plans for the teams. That Night at Wembley may not be long forgotten but probably the only reminder of the famous “End of the World” will be the promise made by Wojciech Szczęsny – when the group draw was made, he made a promise that he will not only stop his rivals as Tomaszewski did in 1973, but also have a similar haircut to the legendary goalkeeper. We will see how it goes for him in the exciting 2012…