Grzegorz Lato: Well, we still have another game to play. First of all we should not do it unless the tournament is over and unless these theoretical chances - namely our win over Croatia with two more goals scored than Austria in the case of their win over Germany - are gone. Reality of course is always hard to predict. While the ball is in play, as our legendary coach Kazimierz Górski said, anything can happen and everyone should strive to succeed.

M.Ś: What are the chances of Poland in the match against Croatia?

G.L: (Laughs) This is a different story. We are upset after the last draw. We only scored one goal, so definitely we do not have anything the Croats should fear. Besides our style did not give any hope. There is a priest supporting our team who prays for us (laughs) and maybe he should beg some mercy from heaven. We will see.

M.Ś: Did you ever before play in match with a similar configuration, like this game against Croatia in which, besides our potential win, there are other things that lie in the hands of others? And what does it look like from player’s perspective?

G.L: In 1978 we played our last game against Peru in a second round of the tournament after we lost an important game against Argentina. And, I must say, it is a fight: you never give up. The same should happen here. Because these are totally different things: to finish the group phase in the last place of the table with one point scored versus finishing in third place with an impressive win at the end of the tournament and having four points. There is also UEFA ranking based on the ranks in major competitions as this one. Everything contributes to the overall status of the team.

M.Ś:What do you think of the referee’s decisions in the match against Germany?

G.L: Well, I would rather not criticize a referee. However, in this case, when a British referee whistles for a penalty in a situation that can repeat let’s say 80 times throughout the game and never qualifies for penalty, for instance in the English premiership, then I must say it was a mistake. Otherwise, being an objective referee, you should have around 50 penalties during match.

M.Ś: What is in your opinion the situation of coach Leo Beenhakker after this tournament?

G.L: Well, the media said I was against signing Leo on contract and turned me into his opponent within the Polish Football Association. I would like to say that I support 100% a long term cooperation with Beenhakker. He will help qualify for the World Championships in South Africa which is our next goal, because we automatically are in Euro 2012 as a host team. More importantly Leo’s position is not in danger. His contract is valid till the end of World Cup qualifications, that is till 2009.

There are a couple of ultra-optimistic scenarios for today. Yes, it is good to start your evening by dreaming. The first condition though is a win over Croatia and the second one is Austria beating Germany.

It would be quite a pleasing arrangement for tonight! However, the win over Croatia must be achieved with two goals clearance over Austria’s positive score against Germany (for instance 3:0 to Austria’s 1:0). Or even one goal clearance should be sufficient, provided that the overall number of goals scored at Euro 2008 is bigger than Austria’s (for instance 3:1 to 2:1).

Time to worry?

Nevertheless, it is incredible to assume that the host country will defeat Germany. And it should be equally extraordinary to see the Polish team beat Croatia with at least two goals clearance. Nobody in Poland can imagine this.

Currently the overall picture is rather gloomy. As Tomasz Matlakiewicz, journalist from Gazeta Żywiecka (local paper in Żywiec) puts it: “Such tournaments since 2002 result only in negative emotions among their Polish audience.

Polish football fans ready to support their side

People expect the team to perform well and then after 10 minutes, hopes and positive feelings disappear. Cursing begins and, by the end, frustration looms with some obvious scapegoats. That happened back in 2006 and the same happens now. With the only difference that now our enemy is more specific: the referee.

But it’s a cycle with each tournament, a new enemy. No matter if it is former national coach Pawel Janas or someone else.”

My dream for tonight is clear: I want to see some decent football from the Polish side. I wish the best to the host country, whatever my interest might be, and admire Germany for the quality of play they deliver. Once I see some good football (possibly a victory over Croatia) I am satisfied. Let fate handle the rest.