Sat, May 31, 2008 page18

• EURO 2008: Poland's 'Holy Goalie' courts controversy

  • AFP
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  Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc is a pillar of his club, Scottish giants Celtic, despite courting controversy, and was the obvious top choice for his national team as they brace for their first ever European championships appearance.

  “He was picked as the No. 1 goalkeeper for Poland’s national team for Euro 2008 because of his qualities,” said Frans Hoek, who trains the Polish keepers under the wing of coach and fellow Dutchman Leo Beenhakker. “His performance is steady. He has been decisive with his play in several games for Poland. He’s experienced, stable and can focus very well on a performance.”

  He was first called up by Poland in 2004 and has been capped 33 times.

  

  Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc stands for the Polish national anthem before a friendly match between the Czech Republic and Poland at GSZ Stadium in Larnaca, Cyprus, on Feb. 6.

  PHOTO: AP

  Boruc — whose name is pronounced “Bo-roots” — joined Celtic in 2005 after signing from the Polish capital’s flagship side Legia Warsaw.

  His performances were crucial in securing the Hoops’ Scottish Premier League titles in the last three years and the Scottish Cup last year.

  “He has an exceptional ability to concentrate, which has enabled him to reach new heights and avoid mistakes during the most crucial matches and deal with high-tension moments,” said Piotr Kozminski, a soccer analyst from the Polish tabloid Superexpress.

  For example, during a 2006 Champions League clash with Manchester United, Boruc saved an 89th-minute penalty from Louis Saha, guiding Celtic into the knockout stage of the competition.

  Boruc, 28, is nicknamed the “Holy Goalie” — but the epithet is more ironic than a nod to his miraculous saves.

  Boruc is Roman Catholic, like more than 90 percent of Poles, thus fitting in with a long-held tradition at Celtic.

  But he has regularly found himself in hot water for stepping over the line between displaying his faith and provoking fans of the Protestant-rooted Glasgow Rangers — a club he has acknowledged he dislikes.

  He makes the sign of the cross before games, but in 2006 was cautioned for breaching the peace after he did so and then went on to taunt the Rangers stands.

  And only last month, he escaped disciplinary action after celebrating Celtic’s win over Rangers by stripping off his top to reveal a T-shirt with the slogan “God bless the Pope.”

  “He doesn’t exactly mince his words, nor his gestures, when it comes to his teammates on the pitch either. He needs to rein in his provocative side,” said Jan Tomaszewski, Poland’s legendary goalkeeper from the 1970s.

  Boruc has other faults, Tomaszewski said.

  “I also consider him to be one of the two worst-dressed goalkeepers in the world, along with Oliver Kahn,” Tomaszewski said, grinning.
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