The French national football team has proven to be the most consistent European team at the highest level over the past twelve years. Despite often being criticized for their lack of goals and sometimes boring gameplay, the team has consistently reached the final phases of major tournaments, including the World Cup and the Euro Championships.
Since Euro 2012, the French team has qualified for the final phase of every major tournament, making it seven out of seven possible appearances. This includes their recent qualification for the eighth of the current Euro. No other European team has matched this level of consistency. Spain, Portugal, and England have each made six appearances out of seven, with all being eliminated in the first round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Germany, once considered untouchable with four World Cup titles, has only five appearances out of seven, having been eliminated in the group stages of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Italy, the outgoing European champion, has been the least reliable, failing to make it past the first round of the 2014 World Cup and not qualifying for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
A significant part of this success for France is attributed to Didier Deschamps, who has been the coach since July 2012. Deschamps has led the team in six major tournaments, starting with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they reached the quarter-finals.
The French team is set to face Poland in Dortmund, a year and a half after eliminating them from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Poland, which has not passed the first round of a World Cup since 1986, has struggled in Euro 2024, losing its first two matches against the Netherlands and Austria, leading to their elimination from the tournament.
Poland's coach, Michal Probierz, who replaced Fernando Santos after a string of poor performances, remains hopeful despite the setbacks. The team has shown some promise in preparation matches, defeating Ukraine and Turkey, but has faltered in the Euro qualifiers. Poland also faces challenges with the injury of their captain and star player, Robert Lewandowski.
Probierz remains optimistic about the upcoming match against France, seeing it as an opportunity for growth. Despite their current struggles, Poland is looking towards the future, hoping to build a stronger team for upcoming tournaments.
- The French team's consistent performance over the past decade highlights the importance of stability and strong leadership in achieving success in international football. Didier Deschamps' tenure as coach has been marked by strategic decisions and the ability to motivate his players, which has been crucial in maintaining their high level of performance.
- Poland's recent struggles in major tournaments underscore the challenges faced by teams in maintaining consistency and adapting to changes. The injury of key players like Robert Lewandowski can significantly impact a team's performance, and the ability to build a resilient squad is essential for future success.
- As Poland faces France in the upcoming match, the focus will be on how both teams adapt to their current circumstances. For France, it will be about continuing their strong performance and securing another win, while for Poland, it will be an opportunity to learn and grow from their experiences, setting the stage for future improvements.
