Jacek Krzynówek


Jacek Krzynówek is a former Polish footballer. One of the most glorious moments of his career was scoring a rocket shot against Real Madrid in the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League.

Early career

Jacek's football career started with LZS Chrzanowice. Then in 1994 he landed in RKS Radomsko. In Radomsko he played two seasons, and then moved to another Polish club, Raków Częstochowa in which he made his debut in the Polish Ekstraklasa. After a season with Rakow, he moved to second league club, GKS Bełchatów. In the 1997–98 season, he with his team advanced to the Ekstraklasa. Unfortunately, his club was unable to keep itself in the Polish first league, and was demoted back to the second league. Despite this, his skills and play impressed scouts from other clubs, including 1. FC Nürnberg, as well as coach of the Polish National Team, Janusz Wojcik.

International career and Bundesliga

Still a player for GKS Bełchatów, he made his debut in the Polish national team on 10 November 1998 against Slovakia in a 3–1 Poland win. In 1999, he moved to 1. FC Nürnberg in the 2. Bundesliga. He made his return to the Polish National Team in the beginning of 2000, after Jerzy Engel became coach. Very shortly, he became one of the most important players in the team qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
In 2002, he contributed to the promotion of 1. FC Nürnberg to the Bundesliga, and was named the best left midfielder in the 2. Bundesliga. Also in 2002, he went to South Korea and Japan for the 2002 World Cup with Poland. Despite a poor performance by Poland, he was praised for his play, and appeared in all three matches.
As a result of an injury, he missed most of the 2002–03 season. In the fall of 2003, he played in crucial UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying matches for Poland. Unfortunately, Poland was unable to qualify and 1. FC Nürnberg was unable to stay in the Bundesliga. As a result of his excellent play, he was transferred to a top Bundesliga club, Bayer Leverkusen. In the 2004–05 season, he was one of the best players for the club, and the trio of Krzynowek, Andriy Voronin, and Dimitar Berbatov drew the attention of many top European clubs. Bayer Leverkusen also played very well in the Champions League, where it eliminated such clubs as Real Madrid and A.S. Roma. Krzynowek scored three goals, one of which was scored versus Real Madrid, which was named one of the most beautiful goals in that year's tournament.
During 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, he played in the most important games for Poland and contributed to Poland's qualification to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. As a result of another injury during the spring of 2006, he was unable to play regularly at his club, Bayer Leverkusen. This was evident in his poor form during the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was one of the poorest performers in the Polish team as they lost 2–0 to the surprising Ecuador and 1–0 to hosts Germany. After a disappointing 2005–06 season, he moved to VfL Wolfsburg.
He is regarded as one of the best Polish footballers. He has earned many awards and trophies, not only in Poland, but also abroad. He has earned the honour of twice being named the Polish Footballer of the Year by magazine Pilka Nozna in 2003 and 2004. He has appeared in 96 international matches for Poland, scoring 15 goals. He is also a member of the Elite Polish National Team Footballers by the PZPN.
Krzynówek was a key player in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign for Poland where he scored four goals; three against Azerbaijan and an astonishing equalizer in the 87th minute against Portugal. His left-foot strike from 40 yards hit the post and the back of Portuguese keeper Ricardo before squeezing into the back of the net. Thanks to a very successful all around performance he was then picked into Eurosport's dream team as the left midfielder and Poland's squad for UEFA Euro 2008 where the Poles competed for the first time in their history.
On 17 November 2007, Wisła Kraków announced that they were interested in purchasing Krzynówek during the Ekstraklasa transfer window, but after negotiations the Polish club could not agree to terms with VfL Wolfsburg.
On 2 February 2009, Krzynówek moved to Hannover 96 where he stayed until the summer of 2010. On 15 August 2011, Krzynówek officially announced his retirement after 178 matches in the German top-flight.

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.28 February 2001Larnaca, Cyprus4–0WinFriendly
2.30 April 2003Brussels, Belgium1–3LossFriendly
3.6 June 2003Poznań, Poland3–0WinFriendly
4.12 November 2003Warsaw, Poland3–1WinFriendly
5.4 September 2004Belfast, Northern Ireland3–0Win2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.9 October 2004Vienna, Austria3–1Win2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.13 October 2004Cardiff, Wales3–2Win2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
8.26 March 2005Warsaw, Poland8–0Win2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
9.7 October 2005Warsaw, Poland3–2WinFriendly
10.24 March 2007Warsaw, Poland5–0WinUEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
11.2 June 2007Baku, Azerbaijan3–1WinUEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
12.2 June 2007Baku, Azerbaijan3–1WinUEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
13.22 August 2007Moscow, Russia2–2DrawFriendly
14.8 September 2007Lisbon, Portugal2–2DrawUEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
15.1 June 2008Chorzów, Poland1–1DrawFriendly