Fun fact…
The Poles have been known to make a brandy from plums that regularly tops 70% ABV. It’s known locally as Sliwowica, but the rest of the world refer to it by its more common name of ‘Toilet Duck’.
Wikipedia ‘fact’…
The Polish born, Marie Curie won two Nobel prizes. One in physics for her work in radiation phenomena and later one in literature for penning a series of extremely graphic erotic novels.
National hero…
With scientific pioneers, the people’s Pope and more Nobel prizes than you can shake a bunsen burner at, there’s a lot of choice. Arguably the one who has made the greatest contribution to mankind is Nicolas Copernicus. The 16th Century astronomer was the first to construct a theory that said the earth wasn’t the centre of the universe, putting him directly in conflict with Jose Mourinho, who believed the universe revolved around him.
Football pedigree…
As a nation, the Poles have always embraced football, but not always seen that reflected with success. Their heyday came in the 1970s and 80s and since then it’s been slim pickings. If you’re a Liverpool fan you pretty much know the feeling. In a ten year period starting from 1972, the won an Olympic gold medal for football, finished third at the World Cup two years later and did the same again in Spain 1982. Strangely enough however, this is only the nation’s second ever appearance at a European Championships as their debut came four years ago in Switztria.
Acceptable national stereotype…
Hard-working, hard-partying bunch of attractive people.
Unacceptable national stereotype…
Borderline alcoholic, benefit-grabbing immigrants. Who wear too much make-up.
Don’t be surprised if they…
Get through to a semi-final without the pundits pronouncing a single name correctly.
Cheers for that. And here I was thinking I was gonna get some insight to their chances in June. Good read though..
Hi Jasper. Try this link for Poland stats — > http://paddypowerblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/pp_euro2012.pdf
Or this one for a Bluffer’s guide –> http://blog.paddypower.com/2012/05/27/bluffers-guide-to-poland/
Cheers Paul.
I did laugh at what you read. They DO wear too much makeup!