The European Championship in Germany will be Robert Lewandowski’s sixth major tournament. But will this be his last Euro, and will the Polish striker manage to achieve more with the national team this time?
In the previous five major tournaments (three Euros and two World Cups), Lewandowski managed to score only seven goals (including five in the Euros), despite playing in every match. The Polish national team also failed to achieve significant success in these competitions. However, fans are expecting that perhaps this time, the tides will finally turn in favor of the men in white and red.
Speaking about his lack of success in previous tournaments, the Polish striker said: “When it comes to the lack of medals in my previous tournaments, the question is whether there was ever a real chance. We have to be honest - those were missions impossible. So, in that sense, I don’t feel a sense of unfulfillment. Of course, one can always dream, but one must remain realistic. I never felt that we had a team capable of winning a medal.”
“I see it from a different perspective and consider my sixth participation in a major tournament a success in itself. But I won’t hide the fact that being in such a place, at a major event, makes you want to make the most of it. And the same applies to this tournament,” added the Barcelona forward.
Lewandowski’s journey through major tournaments
Lewandowski first appeared in a major tournament in 2012 when the European Championship was held in Poland and Ukraine. Already then, he was a valued player and a star of Borussia Dortmund.
He had a dream start. In the first half of the opening match against Greece in Warsaw, he scored a goal to make it 1-0, but ultimately Franciszek Smuda’s team drew 1-1. Lewandowski did not improve his tally in the tournament. Poland drew 1-1 with Russia in Warsaw, lost 0-1 to the Czech Republic in Wrocław, and finished last in what was theoretically the easiest group.
The team, under Waldemar Fornalik’s leadership, did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. However, after Adam Nawałka took over as coach, the Polish players qualified for Euro 2016 in France in great style, including a 2-0 home win over Germany.
There, the Polish team performed much better, reaching the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated on penalties by the eventual winners, Portugal.
Lewandowski did not score in the first four matches (three in the group stage and the round of 16 against Switzerland), but he did find the net early in the quarter-final.
Nawałka’s team enjoyed great respect from the fans and comfortably qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, the tournament turned out to be a major disappointment, particularly for Lewandowski.
After defeats to Senegal (1-2) and Colombia (0-3), and a 1-0 win over Japan in a consolation match, Poland finished last in their group. “Lewy” did not score any goals. Coach Nawałka parted ways with the team after the tournament, and Lewandowski received considerable criticism for his performance. He was even selected by some foreign newspapers to the team of the tournament’s biggest disappointments.
But the Polish team soon bounced back and, under Jerzy Brzęczek, comfortably qualified for the next European Championships. The tournament, originally scheduled for 2020, was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic and was held under the leadership of Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa.
Poland finished last in their group, but Lewandowski received good reviews. It was mainly thanks to him that the team had a chance until the final minute of their third match.
It started with an embarrassing 1-2 loss to Slovakia, but the next match - a 1-1 draw with Spain, thanks to a Lewandowski goal - was much better and awakened hopes that Poland may make it to the Round of 16 phase.
In the match against Sweden, Sousa’s team, thanks to two goals from their captain, came back from 0-2 to 2-2. A draw wasn’t enough, so they kept attacking until the end, which their opponents capitalized on to win 3-2.
Then, the team, now under Czesław Michniewicz, secured qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar through a playoff against Sweden [2-0, Lewandowski scored the first goal – TVP World]. The performance at the World Cup and the scandal involving bonuses have been widely discussed. Michniewicz’s team advanced from the group stage but lost 1-3 to France in the Round of 16.
Lewandowski’s statistics? A missed penalty against Mexico (0-0), a goal against Saudi Arabia (2-0), no significant opportunities against Argentina (0-2), and a last-minute penalty goal against France.
Now, after finishing third in the qualifying group and winning the playoffs, the Polish national team and its captain will compete for the best possible result at Euro 2024 in Germany. They will face the Netherlands, Austria, and France in Group D.
Lewandowski reminisced about his previous European Championship performances.
“When it comes to 2012, the first goal in the Euros immediately comes to mind. I have fond memories of the 2016 tournament as a whole, as we reached the quarter-finals. In 2021, my goals didn’t help us get out of the group. Every tournament is different. I would like both good team play and my goals to come together this time. That would be ideal,” he emphasized during a press conference in Warsaw.
He added that Euro 2024 will be a “sentimental tournament” for him.
“I spent many years in Germany, played in those stadiums. A part of me is still there. I have many friends in that country and maintain contact with many people. Memories from years past will certainly come back,” he admitted.
Euro 2024: Last major tournament for Lewandowski?
Will this be the last major tournament of Lewandowski’s career? Probably the last Euro, but during the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, he will be just under 38 years old, younger than Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (born February 5, 1985), who continues his illustrious career.
Lewandowski admitted that he is not thinking about retiring from professional sports yet.
“I need to feel something to make that decision. My heart has to tell me that it’s time. For now, I don’t feel that way. I don’t know when it will happen, it’s hard to say,” said the national team captain.
“Physically, I feel very good, and I don’t have to think about it. The hard work I’ve done for a long time is paying off,” he added.
Speaking about his lack of success in previous tournaments, the Polish striker said: “When it comes to the lack of medals in my previous tournaments, the question is whether there was ever a real chance. We have to be honest - those were missions impossible. So, in that sense, I don’t feel a sense of unfulfillment. Of course, one can always dream, but one must remain realistic. I never felt that we had a team capable of winning a medal.”
“I see it from a different perspective and consider my sixth participation in a major tournament a success in itself. But I won’t hide the fact that being in such a place, at a major event, makes you want to make the most of it. And the same applies to this tournament,” added the Barcelona forward.
Lewandowski’s journey through major tournaments
Lewandowski first appeared in a major tournament in 2012 when the European Championship was held in Poland and Ukraine. Already then, he was a valued player and a star of Borussia Dortmund.
He had a dream start. In the first half of the opening match against Greece in Warsaw, he scored a goal to make it 1-0, but ultimately Franciszek Smuda’s team drew 1-1. Lewandowski did not improve his tally in the tournament. Poland drew 1-1 with Russia in Warsaw, lost 0-1 to the Czech Republic in Wrocław, and finished last in what was theoretically the easiest group.
The team, under Waldemar Fornalik’s leadership, did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. However, after Adam Nawałka took over as coach, the Polish players qualified for Euro 2016 in France in great style, including a 2-0 home win over Germany.
There, the Polish team performed much better, reaching the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated on penalties by the eventual winners, Portugal.
Lewandowski did not score in the first four matches (three in the group stage and the round of 16 against Switzerland), but he did find the net early in the quarter-final.
Nawałka’s team enjoyed great respect from the fans and comfortably qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, the tournament turned out to be a major disappointment, particularly for Lewandowski.
After defeats to Senegal (1-2) and Colombia (0-3), and a 1-0 win over Japan in a consolation match, Poland finished last in their group. “Lewy” did not score any goals. Coach Nawałka parted ways with the team after the tournament, and Lewandowski received considerable criticism for his performance. He was even selected by some foreign newspapers to the team of the tournament’s biggest disappointments.
But the Polish team soon bounced back and, under Jerzy Brzęczek, comfortably qualified for the next European Championships. The tournament, originally scheduled for 2020, was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic and was held under the leadership of Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa.
Poland finished last in their group, but Lewandowski received good reviews. It was mainly thanks to him that the team had a chance until the final minute of their third match.
It started with an embarrassing 1-2 loss to Slovakia, but the next match - a 1-1 draw with Spain, thanks to a Lewandowski goal - was much better and awakened hopes that Poland may make it to the Round of 16 phase.
In the match against Sweden, Sousa’s team, thanks to two goals from their captain, came back from 0-2 to 2-2. A draw wasn’t enough, so they kept attacking until the end, which their opponents capitalized on to win 3-2.
Then, the team, now under Czesław Michniewicz, secured qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar through a playoff against Sweden [2-0, Lewandowski scored the first goal – TVP World]. The performance at the World Cup and the scandal involving bonuses have been widely discussed. Michniewicz’s team advanced from the group stage but lost 1-3 to France in the Round of 16.
Lewandowski’s statistics? A missed penalty against Mexico (0-0), a goal against Saudi Arabia (2-0), no significant opportunities against Argentina (0-2), and a last-minute penalty goal against France.
Now, after finishing third in the qualifying group and winning the playoffs, the Polish national team and its captain will compete for the best possible result at Euro 2024 in Germany. They will face the Netherlands, Austria, and France in Group D.
Lewandowski reminisced about his previous European Championship performances.
“When it comes to 2012, the first goal in the Euros immediately comes to mind. I have fond memories of the 2016 tournament as a whole, as we reached the quarter-finals. In 2021, my goals didn’t help us get out of the group. Every tournament is different. I would like both good team play and my goals to come together this time. That would be ideal,” he emphasized during a press conference in Warsaw.
He added that Euro 2024 will be a “sentimental tournament” for him.
“I spent many years in Germany, played in those stadiums. A part of me is still there. I have many friends in that country and maintain contact with many people. Memories from years past will certainly come back,” he admitted.
Euro 2024: Last major tournament for Lewandowski?
Will this be the last major tournament of Lewandowski’s career? Probably the last Euro, but during the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, he will be just under 38 years old, younger than Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (born February 5, 1985), who continues his illustrious career.
Lewandowski admitted that he is not thinking about retiring from professional sports yet.
“I need to feel something to make that decision. My heart has to tell me that it’s time. For now, I don’t feel that way. I don’t know when it will happen, it’s hard to say,” said the national team captain.
“Physically, I feel very good, and I don’t have to think about it. The hard work I’ve done for a long time is paying off,” he added.
Source: PAP, TVP World
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