READINGS : Zbigniew Boniek

 

Starting his career with his hometown club Zawisa Bydgoszcz, Boniek was soon being tipped for great things. One of Poland's biggest clubs, Widzew Lodz, were in for him immediately, and his form there as an attacking midfielder or forward saw him gain his first national cap in 1976, aged only 20. He was taken to the 1978 World Cup finals in Argentina but sat out the first two group games against West Germany and Tunisia. However, he was brought in for the final game against Mexico and made an immediate impact, scoring twice and outshining more celebrated team-mates such as Deyna and Lato as he inspired the Poles to a 3-1 win that meant they went through as group winners. He kept his place in the tough group 2 matches against Argentina, Brazil and Peru, and, despite failing to score, the 22 year old Boniek had impressed everyone with his commitment, work-rate and no little skill.

Boniek remained at Widzew Lodz until the 1982 World Cup, where another sparkling tournament meant an inevitable move to one of Europe's top clubs. The Poles went into the tournament in Spain as one of the dark-horses, and started off with a respectable 0-0 draw against Italy. Another goal-less draw against surprise package Cameroon meant they went into the final game against Peru needing a win to ensure a place in the next phase. With Boniek, Smolarek, Buncol and Lato pulling all the strings going forward, they crushed the South Americans 5-1 and, as in 1978, they went through as group winners. Probably the best performance of his international career came in the opening match of the second phase - a fantastic hat-trick against Belgium within just 50 minutes. Still one of the best hat-tricks in the tournament's history, it featured all the Boniek traits - guile, determination, pace and skill. A draw against the Soviet Union in the final game meant that Poland had reached the semi-finals. However, a crazy 88th minute yellow card meant that Boniek would miss the match against the Italians. Without their talisman, the Poles went out to a brace from Paulo Rossi in the Nou Camp. And whilst Boniek returned for the 3rd place play-off victory over France, his tournament had been soured by the semi-final suspension.
Boniek's form for both club and country meant Widzew were never going to be able to keep hold of him. Money talked and the £1.1 million that Juventus were prepared to pay for him was massive business at the time, especially for an East European club.