Wojciech Szczesny - the man who must stop Argentina

Szczesny is in phenomenal shape in Qatar. No other goalkeeper in the tournament performed so well, although we already had penalties saved at this World Cup by other goalkeepers (Thibaut Courtois from Belgium and Guillermo Ochoa from Mexico, whom we remember very well).

It is worth noting that BBC journalists recognized Szczesny as the best goalkeeper of the World Cup at the moment. This is confirmed by tournament statistics: Szczęsny has the most saves among all goalkeepers, i.е. 9. In addition, he did not concede a single goal. In addition, he has the most saved shots from the penalty area (6).

Second Tomashevsky?

In Poland, the PZPN portal “Łączy nas ball” compared Wojciech Szczesny with the legendary Jan Tomaszewski from the national team led by Kazimierz Górski in the 70s. However, while this comparison is somewhat exaggerated, because the famous “Tomek” at the 1974 World Cup, in West Germany, reflected as many as two penalties. First Staffan Tupper against Sweden and then West Germany’s Uli Hoeneß in a memorable World Cup semi-final in the “water match” in Frankfurt.

In terms of the scale of his talent, Szczesny, of course, corresponds to “the man who stopped England.” Tomashevsky himself agrees with this. – Wojtek was the best Polish goalkeeper for at least 10 years. I have always said that for me this is the number one goal of our team. Now he just confirmed his world class, Tomaszewski claims and melts at the way Shchena defended the Eleven in the match against Saudi Arabia.

“He did it brilliantly!” I admire Wojtek because in my best years I wouldn’t defend that rebound. This is almost impossible, because he was already lying on his right side, the opponent quickly got to the ball right in front of him, but Szczesny immediately gathered himself and knocked the ball over the crossbar. It was much more difficult than a saved penalty, enthuses Tomaszewski, who is known mainly for criticism, and praise from Mr. Janek is a real rarity.

From father to son

Wojtek has been a great talent since childhood. It is safe to say that he was destined to become a goalkeeper. His father Maciej Szczesny was also an excellent goalkeeper. With Legia Warszawa and Widzew Lodz, he played in the group stage of the Champions League. He also played for the Polish national team. And the fact that he played only 7 times in it says more about the wayward character of Maciej Szczesny than about his skill, because he was an outstanding goalkeeper.

Both sons, Wojtek and Janek, who was 3 years older, taught goalkeeping from the very beginning. And he was a very demanding teacher. Family training often ended with Wojtek leaving the field, offended by his father for not applying any discounts to his sons. But perhaps this is what makes Wojtek one of the best goalkeepers in the world today.

His brother Janek did not have such a career, he played m. for clubs such as Gwardia Warszawa or PKS Radość. Janek did not have such outstanding physical data as Wojtek (196 cm and a huge arm span), and he received a very serious injury (torn all the tendons and ligaments in his shoulder), after which he did not play football for three years. years.

However, Wojtek’s career was promising from the start. He was only 15 when he joined the Legion. But he did not stay long at Lazenkovskaya. In 2006, his great talent was noticed at Arsenal. Voytek was offered a trip to London to improve his skills at the Artillery School. For him, it was the opportunity of a lifetime, but at the same time… a challenge for his parents. Their son was only 16, and he was going to London alone. Arsenal’s policy was to attract talented players from all over the world and house them in apartments with English families affiliated with the club. The idea was that the young football players would not only be well looked after, but that they would have to learn English quickly.

However, Wojtek’s parents had doubts whether both their son and themselves were ready for such a separation.