Historic Polish Presence: 17 Players Reach European Knockout Stages
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A record-breaking 17 Polish footballers will compete in the knockout phases of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League this spring, marking an unprecedented level of representation for the PKO Ekstraklasa and Polish football on the European stage. Despite the absence of key figures like Adrian Siemieniec, Nielsa Frederiksena, and Łukasz Tomczyk, the sheer number of Polish players still involved is a testament to the growing strength and visibility of the nation’s talent.
A Boost for the National Team
The expanded presence in European competition provides a significant opportunity for Poland’s national team coach, Jan Urban. He could potentially build a starting eleven comprised entirely of players gaining invaluable experience in high-stakes European matches. A possible lineup, according to analysis of current form, includes Łukasz Skorupski, Tomasz Kędziora, Jan Bednarek, Jan Ziółkowski, Jakub Kiwior, Matty Cash, Piotr Zieliński, Nicola Zalewski, Oskar Pietuszewski, Karol Świderski, and Robert Lewandowski. Urban recognizes the benefit, stating that the experience gained in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League will be “priceless” for his players.
Champions League Dominance: Five Poles Advance
A total of five Polish players successfully navigated the Champions League group stage. Robert Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczęsny (both of FC Barcelona) secured direct qualification to the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Mateusz Kochalski (Karabach), Nicola Zalewski (Atalanta), and Piotr Zieliński (Inter) will compete in the Round of 16 after progressing through additional qualification rounds.
While Lewandowski, Szczęsny, and Zieliński are seasoned veterans of the Champions League knockout stages, this will be Kochalski’s debut at this level. Zalewski will be appearing in the competition’s later rounds for the second consecutive year. Although Arkadiusz Milik’s Juventus also advanced, injury concerns mean he is unlikely to be registered for the knockout phase. Yarek Gąsiorowski (PSV Eindhoven) and Dominik Sarapata (FC Copenhagen) have seen their Champions League journeys conclude.
Europa League: A Strong Polish Contingent
The Europa League boasts the largest concentration of Polish players, with eight “White and Reds” set to participate in the knockout rounds – five in the Round of 16 and three in the Round of 32.
Matty Cash’s Aston Villa, Jan Ziółkowski’s AS Roma (who scored a crucial goal during qualification), and FC Porto featuring Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, and Oskar Pietuszewski all secured places in the Round of 16. Pietuszewski, despite missing the final two group stage matches, will be eligible for the knockout phase. Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna), Tomasz Kędziora (PAOK), and Karol Świderski (Panathinaikos) will compete in the Round of 32, contingent on Świderski remaining with his club. Sebastian Szymański, who previously participated in the Round of 32, has since transferred to Stade Rennais. Filip Rózga (Sturm) and Jakub Moder (Feyenoord) have been eliminated from the competition, though it is encouraging to note that Moder recently made his return to the pitch after overcoming health issues.
Conference League: Rising Stars Emerge
Beyond the players from Jagiellonia Białystok, Lech Poznań, and Raków Częstochowa, four Polish players from foreign clubs will feature in the Conference League knockout stages. These players represent the next generation of Polish football talent. Alongside Moder, the recovering Maxi Oyedele (Strasbourg) and the impressive Kacper Potulski (Mainz) will immediately enter the Round of 16.
Łukasz Bejger (Celje) has reached the Round of 32, and Sigma Olomuniec, who also advanced, recently acquired Jakub Jezierski from Śląsk Wrocław, making him eligible for the competition. Additionally, Alexandre Zurawski (Ray) – a player eligible to represent Poland – will also participate in the knockout phase. It’s worth noting that several other Polish players, including Karol English, Piotr Parzyszek, and Albert Posła, were involved in teams that qualified but have since moved clubs.
The first matches of the Round of 32 in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League are scheduled for February 17-19, with the return legs taking place a week later.
Poles from foreign clubs in the knockout phase of European cups 2025/26:
- Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona) – Champions League, Round of 16
- Wojciech Szczęsny (FC Barcelona) – Champions League, Round of 16
- Piotr Zieliński (Inter Milan) – Champions League, Round of 32
- Nicola Zalewski (Atalanta BC) – Champions League, Round of 32
- Mateusz Kochalski (Karabakh Agdam) – Champions League, Round of 32
- Matty Cash (Aston Villa FC) – Europa League, Round of 16
- Jan Bednarek (FC Porto) – Europa League, Round of 16
- Jakub Kiwior (FC Porto) – Europa League, Round of 16
- Oskar Pietuszewski (FC Porto) – Europa League, Round of 16
- Jan Ziółkowski (AS Roma) – Europa League, Round of 16
- Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna FC) – Europa League, Round of 32
- Tomasz Kędziora (PAOK Thessaloniki) – Europa League, Round of 32
- Karol Świderski (Panathinaikos Athens) – Europa League, Round of 32
- Maxi Oyedele (RC Strasbourg) – Conference League, Round of 16
- Kacper Potulski (1.FCV Mainz 05) – Conference League, Round of 16
- Łukasz Bejger (NK Celje) – Conference League, Round of 32
- Jakub Jezierski (Sigma Ołomuniec) – Conference League, Round of 32
(Data compiled by Maciej Kmita, journalist of WP SportoweFakty).
