Poland hockey team looks forward to the Olympic qualifiers

Biswajyoti Brahma, TNN

NEW DELHI: Past is something the Poles prefer to confine to the past. Be it that “heart-breaking” — from India’s point of view — draw against the eight-time Olympic champions in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, or the 7-0 drubbing they suffered at the hands of the same opponents in their last encounter two months back.

“I do remember that Sydney match and we were all very happy about the result,” said Poland hockey captain Dariusz Rachwalski, referring to the game in which the Poles scored in the last minute to hold India 1-1 and deny them a place in the semifinals. “But right now we are not thinking about that result or the 7-0 loss against India in South Africa in the Champions Challenge. This is a new tournament and we have come here prepared to qualify for the Olympics,” the 28-year-old said.

Poland, quite like any other European country, had difficulty in preparing for the tournament due to extreme weather prevailing in the continent. They had to prepare mostly indoors before going to Chile in January for training in conditions somehow similar to that in India. “I am sure the Chile training will help,” said coach Bas Dirks, a Dutchman in charge of the team since 2010. “Our training here is also going very well. India are the highest-ranked team here but we are a confident bunch and are capable of springing some surprises here.”

The coach said the team that lost to India two months back had come to Delhi with a lot more determination. “That was a big loss, I agree. But this time the guys are going to put up a tough fight.”

Poland would be happy that they would be playing the hosts in their last league engagement, on February 24. Before that they will be locking horns with teams which are almost at par or below them in the rankings.