Portugal are not just a one-man team, says Poland boss Nawalka

Nawalka did not hesitate at a pre-match press conference yesterday to label Ronaldo as “one of the best players in the world”, but also emphasised the Poles are not coming up against a one-man team.

Asked if the key to success for Poland would be cancelling out the Real Madrid forward, Nawalka said: “Football is about teamwork.

“There is no team where just one player decides on the outcome of the match.

“I think Portugal present themselves very well as a whole team, and their players all want to achieve success tomorrow.

“For us, we need to look not only at Cristiano Ronaldo but all the players. They represent a very high level and we need to play at a high level ourselves.”

Poland have made history with their run at this competition, having failed to even win a match in their two previous European Championship campaigns.

Nawalka insists the mood within the camp is not one of surprise at the success.

The 58-year-old – whose side came second in Group C after 1-0 wins over Northern Ireland and Ukraine either side of a 0-0 draw with Germany, then beat Switzerland on penalties in the last 16 – said: “The fact we have achieved these results at the tournament is not really a surprise for us.

“We have been expecting this from the very beginning – that by playing with a high level of football we would do well.

“My players have achieved a lot already but they want more and more. We are full of faith and optimism.”