Euro 2012 co-host Poland ready for kickoff

After years of hand-wringing about whether the country and the national team would be ready for the European Championship, co-host Poland is finally set for kick off.

Everything has fallen into place for Poland coach Franciszek Smuda.

His team landed in what is widely regarded as the easiest group, with Russia, Greece and the Czech Republic.

And the talented trio from Borussia Dortmund that drives Poland — Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Lukasz Piszczek — is healthy and in form.

And while his squad doesn't have strength in depth, Smuda has a gritty starting 11 that has shown itself capable of playing even against top-level competition, earning draws against Germany and Portugal.

That all had the Poles feeling quietly confident Wednesday, two days ahead of their tournament opener against Greece.

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