Three European teams were eliminated from the World Cup play-offs last week. Russia were disqualified even before the semi-final battles began. Among the finalists was automatically Poland, who had to face the Russian players. However, it is hard to say whether missing the game will be an advantage or a disadvantage for Michnevic's team. After all, their upcoming opponents had tasted the spirit of an official 120-minute battle with the Czechs a few days earlier...

The Polish national team found themselves in the World Cup play-offs, finishing second in Group I after England. The English team had been favourites from the start, although they were only beaten in the last leg, while Poland were concentrated on their rivals Albania and Hungary. The fact that Paulo Sousa's side had only won six of their ten group games against Andorra and San Marino still worries Polish fans. They are also a little worried by the fact that Poland have not played a single official match under Czeslaw Michniewicz and only narrowly avoided defeat in a 90+4 minute friendly against the Scots.

Sweden took the game against the Czech Republic to extra time in an utterly boring style and a goal set up by Isak and Quaison in the 110th minute put the team into the final. The Swedish team had a far more respectable group stage than their upcoming opponents, but the loss of points in Georgia meant that Spain ended up higher in the table.

Poland's main strength is, of course, their attacking line. Nevertheless, the Swedes would play with a defensive focus in any case. Andersson's team are very fast on the counterattack and reliable on defence. These factors could be the key to the visitors' success and take them to the Mundial.