Aside from being the co-hosts of the 2012 European Championship, always popping up in England's qualifying groups, and producing the goalkeeper that performed miracles nearly 30 years ago in Wembley, little is known about the footballing history of Poland.
However, in the mid-70's to early-80's Poland spawned a batch of footballers that would capitivate the world. Unfortunately, theirs is a story of wasted opportunity as many were not given the chance to play with the game's finest talents in some of Europe's top teams.
Therefore, in a symbolic gesture to mark last Sunday's Euro 2012 draw, and to pay tribute to the country that constantly puts up with wave after wave of British stag party revellers, Sport.co.uk has decided to present its readers with a list – complete with a phonetic pronounciation guide that's bound to impress that cute waitress in Kraków – of Poland's Top Ten Footballers Ever.
1.Kazimierz Deyna (day-na)
A supremely-talented midfielder, Deyna was the orchestrator of the famous 1974 Poland World Cup team that beat defending champions Brazil 1-0 for third place – a feat that prompted Real Madrid to send him a replica no.14 shirt (Cruyff's number at Barcelona) to tempt him to the Bernabéu .
However, Poland's communist government didn't allow players under thirty to move abroad, so Deyna remained in Poland until, aged 31, he moved to Manchester City – sadly, never recapturing the form that declared him one of the finest playmakers of his generation.
Deyna tragically died in a car accident in 1989, but is still regarded as Poland's most gifted footballer, and is their third highest goalscorer.
2. Zbigniew Boniek (bon-yek)
The yin to Michel Platini's yang at Juventus, 'Zibi' thrilled fans with his searing pace and rampaging runs, lifting the Cup Winners' Cup, European Super Cup and European Cup for the Old Lady in the process. His devastating performances on the wing during big European evenings led former Juve president, Gianni Agnelli, to nickname him “Bello di Notte” - Beauty of the Night.
Although not a member of the legendary 1974 national team, Boniek still played a major role in Poland's golden era. He led his countrymen to third place in the 1982 World Cup, capping a virtuoso display against Belgium with a brilliant hat-trick.
3. Grzegorz Lato (la-toh)
The 1974 Golden Boot winner with seven goals, Lato propelled Poland to the semi-finals where they lost 1-0 to eventual winners West Germany. Scorer of the winning goal for third place against Brazil, the pacey right-winger was considered as one of the most underrated players in World Cup history; in 20 competition appearances Lato notched 10 goals and provided 7 assists.
Another victim of the Polish communist transfer policy, Lato never truly fulfilled his potential at European club level. Currently proving a divisive figure as Polish Football Association (PZPN) president, Lato is grudgingly-recognized amongst Poland fans as their second-highest goalscorer.
4. Wlodzimierz Lubanski (loo-ban-ski)
An almost mythical player with an extraordinary eye for goal, Lubanski seemed destined for greatness. Making his international debut at 16, Lubanski won gold with Poland at the 1972 summer Olympics in Munich nine years later. Unlikely to move abroad due to the government's restrictions, his form nevertheless alerted Manchester United and Real Madrid.
However, seven minutes after scoring a goal in the 1973 World Cup qualifier against England, Lubanski was taken off injured and sidelined for two years. Despite five years passing before he represented his country again, Lubanski still became Poland's all-time highest goalscorer with 48 goals from 75 games.
5. Ernest Wilimowski (vee-lee-mov-ski)
The tragic tale of Wilimowski reflects the chaos that reigned in Poland during, and after, WW2. Born in 1916 in Silesia, a Polish-German borderland, Wilimowski adopted Polish citizenship in 1922. The first truly great footballer in Poland's history, he became the first player to score four goals in a World Cup match during Poland's 5-6 loss to Brazil in 1938.
Following the Nazi occupation of Poland, Wilimowski re-took German citizenship which enabled him to continue playing football (Poles were not allowed to play sports) and represented the German national side.
He was labelled a traitor by the post-war Polish communist government and never set foot in his homeland again.
6. Jerzy Dudek (doo-dek)
A cult-hero in the red half of Merseyside, Dudek was an instrumental force in Liverpool's amazing victory in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, and helped them lift the FA Cup in 2006. Whilst at Feyenoord, he became the Dutch league's first ever foreign winner of the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the 1998-99 season – a title he re-claimed a year later.
Amassing 126 caps for Liverpool and 59 for his country, Dudek now warms the bench at Real Madrid where he waits (in vain) for his chance behind the evergreen Iker Casillas.
7. Andrzej Szarmach (shar-mak)
The loss of Lubanski for the 1974 World Cup was the moustachioed striker's gain. Szarmach - who before the tournament appeared only three times for Poland - ran amok in Germany, ending the campaign as second top-scorer with five goals. Szarmach's speed and agility was again exploited during the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, helping his compatriots win the silver medal.
Nicknamed 'Devil' for his insane urge to put his head where most feared to put their feet, Szarmach epitomized the devastating nature with which Poland would terrorize opponents during its golden age.
Aged 30, Szarmach moved to AJ Auxerre where he scored 94 goals in 148 appearances.
8. Jan Tomaszewski (to-ma-shev-ski)
If ever a player deserved recognition in a Top Ten on the back of a single display, it would be Tomaszewski. Clough may have called him a clown, but to his countrymen he was the scourge of Ramsey's England and is still regarded a priceless national treasure for his heroics in the 1973 World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
Tomaszewski went on to the 1974 World Cup, making two penalty saves in different matches – the first player in the history of the tournament to do so. Another player jealously guarded by Poland's puppet government, Tomaszewski eventually moved to Belgian club Beerschot in 1978.
9. Krzysztof Zmuda (zz-moo-da)
Poland defender and four-time World Cup participant (a record shared with Sir Bobby Charlton, Pelé and Diego Maradona) Zmuda was named Best Young Player at the 1974 World Cup.
Physically imposing, composed, and blessed with a psychic sense of anticipation, Zmuda's presence allowed Poland's impressive midfield to attack with abandon in Germany. Italian club Verona was 'permitted' to sign him from Widzew Lodz in 1980, however his career in Serie A was cut short by injury. After a brief spell with the New York Cosmos and Cremonese, Zmuda returned to Poland where he now coaches the Poland U-17 squad.
10. Jacek Krzynówek (k-she-noo-vek)
One of Poland's best modern outfield players, Krzynówek was a crucial member of the Poland squad that, following a fifteen-year barren spell during which they failed to qualify for a major football tournament, were able to put a few smiles back on the faces of their countrymen.
Krzynówek helped inspire his team-mates to qualify to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and also guided Poland to their first European Championships Finals in 2008.
In club football, Krzynówek was a part of the Bayer Leverkusen team that included Dimitar Berbatov and scored a memorable goal in the club's win against Real Madrid.