With the vocal backing of their own supporters driving them on, Poland will hope to make a big impression on home soil in just their second UEFA European Championship final tournament.

FIFA World Cup semi-finalists in 1974 and 1982, Poland had to wait until 2008 before making their UEFA European Championship debut. Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker's side exited after the group stage, as they had at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and their bid to reach South Africa two years ago ended when they finished fifth in their six-team qualifying group. It is all a far cry from their heyday of the 1970s and early 1980s. Yet with a squad including many players not even born then and some positive friendly results, home comforts could bring the best of Franciszek Smuda's co-hosts.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Preparation for Euro 2012 has been a mixed bag for Poland, who have played in several stadia across the country ahead of the tournament next summer.

Franciszek Smuda's side have only lost two of their last 10 games, to reputable opponents Italy and France, both of whom fielded strong sides.

Poland also managed to shock Argentina and would have secured a victory over one of the pre-tournament favourites Germany had it not been for a stoppage time Cacau strike.

There have been some blots on Poland's copybook though, the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lithuania sticking out as a low point in an otherwise decent run of results.

PAST RECORD IN THE EUROS
1960    Did not qualify      1988    Did not qualify
1964    Did not qualify      1992    Did not qualify
1968    Did not qualify      1996    Did not qualify
1972    Did not qualify      2000    Did not qualify
1976    Did not qualify      2004    Did not qualify
1980    Did not qualify      2008    Group stage
1984    Did not qualify      2012    Qualified as host nation

Despite competing in six World Cups, Poland have only once before qualified for the European Championships.

This year's co-hosts failed to go beyond the group stages at Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, despite topping their group in qualifying.

The Poles failed to win any of their three Group B games, suffering defeats to Germany and Croatia, and drawing with Austria, meaning they finished bottom on goal difference with one of the worst records in the tournament.

As one of the hosts of Euro 2012, Poland will perhaps fancy their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages, a feat which both Austria and Switzerland failed to achieve four years ago.

Matches played
Overall: P93 W38 D25 L30 F132 A104
Final tournament: P3 W0 D1 L2 F1 A4
Qualifying: P90 W38 D24 L28 F131 A100